The 20th Asian Games and qualifying tournament for the Sidney Olympics

ow’s that for a subheading? A little wordy for the present-day American marketing approach oriented to slogans of five words or less and 15-second TV ads, but in Seoul, Korea, the tournament title was like Baby Bear’s porridge … just right.

There is a game story coming your way. Before it begins I want to exercise the writer’s right to set the scene.

Normally, when the amateur baseball umpire honchos in the USA decide you’re going to work an international tournament they contact you well in advance, send lots of information, provide plenty of time for you to research the country and plan the trip. As I understand it, you usually know at least three or four months ahead that a pretty exciting assignment is coming your way.

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