Arizona Tourney 2008 - World Attention Shifts to Arizona

Tibetan Monks and many others regard Mt. Kailas in Tibet as the earthly manifestation of the center of the universe, the " axis mundi" as it is referred to in Buddhist as well as Hindu cosmology. The baseball gods ( BG's) are rumored to have been trained here and whispers of their sightings in the off season are heard annually as the BG's return like swallows to their roots for refreshment and some spiritual renewal after a long season. The area around this great mountain is the source of four life-giving rivers; the Indus, Brahmaputra, Surlej and Karnali, (a major tributary of India’s sacred Ganges). As a bonus feature, two lakes are situated at the base of the mountain. The higher lake Manasarovar (one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world), is the sacred lake, and is round like the sun. Baseball gods have equated first pitch strikes with this lake. The lower lake Rakhast Tal (one of the highest salt-water lakes) is the devil’s lake and has the shape of the crescent moon. The two lakes represent solar and lunar forces, good and negative energies respectively. The baseball gods have come to equate lead-off walks with the devils lake. BG training is notoriously rigorous and readers of last years blog and the one for Shea's team know the BG's are swift to dispense justice when they witness a transgression. But in the upcoming week, even Tibetan monks shift their focus as the center of the universe moves from Mt. Kailas to Arizona for the annual Men's Baseball World Series Classic starting the 27th of October. In this baseball classic, games will be played where good battles evil and every man is challenged to fulfill his destiny and challenge himself to perform at his highest level. For one week the focus will be trying to win baseball games in an effort to reach the championship round and hopefully prevail there. This year, your faithful correspondent will be playing for the Rhode Island Mavericks. This long awaited tourney will impact basic language meaning as next week as "bailout" will refer to an outfielder catching a drive in the gap with runners on to end a rally and "crisis" will refer to a runner on third late in a tie game with no outs. As Tim McGraw suggested in his song "Live Like You Were Dying" , your Rhode Island Mavericks will be approaching each game with an urgency and determination that will assure their best efforts. Readers may be interested to know the Mavericks are competing an 11 team division with our opponents listed as follows : Canadien Eagles  ( Eagles team is rumored to want to play games at dawn)  Chicago North Cubs  ( hey  Cubs, anbody can have a rough century ! ) Chicago Central Dodgers ( Californians that moved to Chicago?) Dodgertown West  ( I don't think they are bringing  Manny)   Hollywood Stars  ( last years champs--rumored to all play with sunglasses)  Long Island Braves ( our opening game opponent)  San Antonio Yankees ( second day opponent- rumored to shout "Remeber the Yanquis" at critical moments) Snowbirds ( how can Snowbirds play well in 93 degree heat?) Tri Valley Giants ( probably a good team-we played other tri valley teams in previous years)  Tuscon Toros   (  catcher carries a red flag to distract runners)  Only one of us will survive to be crownded champion. This is a reality game with skills!  readers know the BG"s are into merit. They want the best team to win. We will up to the challenge. The link to see daily progress in the standings is here: http://www.scorebook.com/msblws55cen The "season" is 6 games long and the schedule and day to day results can be found here: http://www.scorebook.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?WEBEVENT+L1F7C124A74C8E700344C005+PRD+ENG Playoffs: The 11 team division will end up with 6 teams in the playoffs based on best record which will start next Friday. The top two teams in the division get a bye and then the winners of the quarterfinals play the bye teams in the semi's with the winners playing Saturday for the championship. As a member of "Maverick Nation" you can follow along every day to map your new favorite teams progress. And yes there is a World Series Ring given to the winners! Last year this division was won by the Hollywood Stars who no doubt are looking to repeat. But your Mavericks have other ideas and will face the Stars in the opening day of action. Your Mavericks are about to embark upon an epic journey while trying to thrive or perhaps withstand the admonishing glare of the baseball gods as they try to climb their mountain to the championship game. But one side note is there have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount Kailash as it is considered off limits to climbers in deference to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. It is the most significant peak in the world that has not seen any known climbing attempts! so there is a tidbit for you next side conversation with your pals.  The Mavericks are boldly taking the climb to our Championship game! Like George Bailey, who was offered the chance to spy on his life by Clarence the Angel, we know the baseball gods observe every move we make. They no doubt are aware of our season long preparations and efforts to  prepare for this tournament . One can only imagine the BG's are viewing us with a stern and critical eye. We say "Let's play ball."