Even though the calendar is still stuck on January and it was about 25 degrees with blowing snow at Air Force Academy on Friday, the Falcons baseball team was out on the field for its first practice.

The first signs of baseball must mean spring is coming reasonably soon.

The weather warmed up a bit for the Falcons over the weekend, and they’re taking advantage of all the time they can get outside.

“We’ll go outside as long as there’s not snow on the ground,” Air Force basketball coach Mike Kazlausky said. “We’ll have plenty of time to be inside.”

The Falcons start the baseball season very soon, with a doubleheader at Baton Rouge, La. against Alcorn State and national power LSU on Feb. 17. Air Force has some key pieces coming back, such as all-Mountain West picks pitcher Sean Carley and catcher Garrett Custons. The team has taken on the motto “What’s important now,” to put an emphasis on staying focused, and has making the conference tournament as a top goal.

“I’m excited about how hard our team is practicing,” Kazlausky said.