Here's a novel idea: For those who can't make it to a sports event in person, why not widen the audience by allowing people to view the competition at their local movie theater? Boxing has been doing this for years and recently, college football jumped on the theater bandwagon. Accessibility, restrooms AND economic impact. Sounds like a big win.

It was quick thinking on the part of the staff of a Nebraska golf course that kept the venue from being devoured by a wildfire that tore through the area, destroying about 70,000 acres of land. The staff of the course won a race against time, managing to turn on sprinklers that were still winterized and carving fire breaks in the land around the venue.

Back in the 1970s and '80s, racquetball was billed as America's fastest-growing sport. In fact, even the IOC gave it a look for potential inclusion. Since then, though, the sport has plummeted in both number of facilities and in number of players. Some of it is because of other sports (well hello, pickleball!) but some is racquetball's own doing.

In a concerted effort to preserve, protect and create fish habitat, local fisheries management agencies, fishing pros and their affiliated professional tour organizations and local community volunteers are teaming up. Initiatives throughout the U.S benefit the fish, fishing destinations, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts and the environment as a whole.

Fresh air, scenery and zero traffic, a fun and relaxed tempo, and joint-friendly terrain (at least as compared to road running's paved and hard surfaces), are among the many reasons trail running is on the grow. And it certainly doesn't hurt that brands and marketers are lavishing dollars and attention on athlete and event sponsorships, either.

And down the chute they come for the last time this year. In ski resorts, season-ending festivities are standard, even when those edge toward the weird. Skiing in costumes (and even swimsuits) and trying to clear pits of water or mud are where bragging rights are earned. Here are notable events from around the nation's winter sports destinations.