THE MANAGER GETS MARRIED AT HOME PLATE ON OPENING NIGHT

My wife has a little pillow on our couch that reads: "We interrupt this marriage to bring you a baseball season". I hope it is because she has a sense of humor.

Julie Corliss of Tampa, FL must have an even greater sense of humor.

While it is not exactly new for a wedding to take place at home plate prior to a baseball game, Ms. Corliss is the first I can recall who is going to marry the home team manager in a ceremony minutes before his team launches a new season.

This ceremony will occur at Harlingen Field in Harlingen, TX Tuesday evening before bridegroom Eddie Dennis's Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings take the field against Amarillo, TX in one of the three games inaugurating the United League's second season.

I cannot help but think the visiting team manager, former major league shortstop Buddy Biancalana, will be the most relaxed of the two skippers at game time.

By the way, Julie, I suggest you wait for a honeymoon. The same two teams meet in a Kid's Day game the next morning at 11:05 a.m.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OPENS THURSDAY

The newly-formed American Association starts its second season on Thursday, but as far as I know the opening day jitters will be because of baseball, not because of anyone saying "I do" before the first batter steps up to the plate.

Good luck to everyone. Most of all to Julie and Eddie.

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