Beaver Fever

If you were in Corvallis, Oregon, right now, and I know you wish you were, you would probably be talking Beaver Baseball. The Oregon State University Baseball team is in the College World Series.

Why does Seattlest care? For one thing, the team consists almost exclusively of players from the Pacific Northwest. Represent.

For another, it is rare for a Pacific Northwest team to make the College World Series. Oregon State hasn't done it since 1952. The Huskies never have. They were one win away in 1994, but a loaded Georgia Tech team (led by current major leaguers Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek and Jay Payton) eliminated the Diamond Dogs.

And, we will enjoy not only rooting for the local boys, but the opportunity to engage in childish word-play. For example, "Corvallis loves its hometown Beavers" "That is one streaky Beaver" and "The Beavers are taking a pounding tonight." I'm sure Seattlest's Audrey, who specializes in this brand of humor, will have more suggestions.

The Beavers' first game is Saturday at 1pm vs. top-ranked Tulane. It will be televised on either ESPN or ESPN2.