Spring forward

Well, now that that spectacle is done with, we can get on with the real hemispheric pastime.

CAROLINA, P.R. -- When the final pitch had been thrown, more than six hours after the first one was unleashed, the matchup between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic in the first game of the 2007 Caribbean Series had succeeded in giving a few lucky fans at Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium exactly what they had been waiting for all afternoon -- bragging rights.

But nobody went home empty-handed.

The Caribbean Series goody bag featured a glimpse of history, the equivalent of two full games for the price of one and an afternoon of baseball that extended well into the evening courtesy of the Dominican Republic's 4-3 victory against Venezuela in 18 innings.