I’m one of those rare people who likes movie previews in the theater … and admit it.

I’ve always loved watching previews before the movie, and although some studios do tend to overdo it, I could sit through a thousand previews.

But after the first Tuesday in September 2008, the world of movie trailers will never be the same.

The undisputed king of movie preview voice-overs, Don LaFontain, died Tuesday at the age of 68.

Even if you don’t instantly recognize the name, you would certainly recognize the voice. Each and every one of us has heard his deep, captivating voice in one way or another.

This guy could make ‘Ishtar’ sound good, but don’t fall for the trap, it’s bad … very bad.

From this point forward, for movie goers all around the world, the three-and-a-half hours before the movie will never be the same.

I think I speak for myself when I say this: The residents of Heaven will soon get really excited about the next big blockbuster headed their way.

I’m having severe withdrawal symptoms. The Olympics are over, and I’ll soon be crying into my Frosted Flakes with Michael Phelps on the box.

The Olympics change my life for a little more than two weeks. I would never dream of spending hours watching men’s volleyball, water polo or women’s badmitton in the middle of the night. But the Olympics somehow make those sports relavent to me.

The Olympics also bring out the best, and worst, in people.

NBC, for example, impressed me very much with their balancing live events and tape delayed events for their primetime broadcasts. NBC has been doing this for a long time, and they performed great, given the enormous challenges in covering such an event.

After rooting for the U.S.A. I also have a few other favorite countries. I like Germany and Turkey because I spent time in those countries, and I also like England because I was born there.

And to complete the wonderful sports picture you must have a villian.

The Chineese fit that role perfectly, not just because of their awful human rights record, but also because they cheated … allegedly. I also don’t like the Chineese because they arrested visitors to their country for simply protesting peacefully.

But it gets worse.

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games occured mere yards (meters for those of you reading this from the rest of the world) from the Tiananmen Square massacre in which between 400 and 800 Chineese protesters were killed in 1989.

The media of the world, and other visitors, were given strict instructions and warnings not to stir up any trouble.

Did the International Olympic Committee really need to award such a country with the economic cash cow that the Olympics bring?

And should we really be surprised that the nation of China controled things so tightly that a little girl singing in the opening ceremonies was deemed “not pretty enough to be seen by the public?

Should we really be surprised that the China government is under scrutiny about the group of youngsters participating in ‘women’s’ gymnastics as being under the minimum age requirment?

And now, after the Chineese allegedly falsified the young girls passports, the IOC has demanded an investigation and are seeking birth certificates among other official documents showing how old the girls are.

Good luck with that one!

I’m actually wondering if the IOC will name Iran, North Korea or Venazuella as Olympic sites in the future.

Aside from awarding China with the Olympics, it was a great couple of weeks.

American Michael Phelps, Jamaican Ussain Bold (actually, the entire Jamaican track team) and America’s basketball ‘redeem team’ left us with indelable images.

Off-toppic a bit now for a quick non-sports related question:

It’s a little late, but after learning that all Portales schools and most Clovis schools failed the adaquate yearly progress test over the summer, I have just one question.

Critics of the President’s ‘No child left behind’ school policy often claim that the program holds young students back by forcing teachers to teach to the test, limiting open-ended learning process.

If teachers claim that the AYP forces them to teach just to the test, than why did a healthy majority of Roosevelt and Curry County schools fail that test?

I’ve been wondering that since the test results came back over the summer.

Which side are you on? No, I’m not talking about the presidential race between John McCain and Barack Obama.

I’m, of course, talking about the on-going feud between future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers.

As I’m writing this, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has granted Favre’s request to be reactivated to the the Green Bay roster, despite the Packers objections.

For the last handful of years, Favre has flirted with retirement — often leaving the Packers wondering what he was going to do. Last March, Favre announced his retirement from the game, holding nearly all of the NFL’s career quarterback records.

About a month ago, word began to seep out that he was considering coming back, and it seems as if the Packers have had it with Favre’s indecision.

He arrived in Green Bay via private jet last night (Sunday), and will, apparently, compete for the starting job against his backup for the last few years, Aaron Rodgers.

The following are possible resolutions to the on-going drama:

1) Favre wins his job back.

2) Rodgers wins the job and Favre is his backup.

3) Favre is traded.

4) Favre is granted his out-right release.

5) Favre will change his mind and decide to retire before the season starts. (Not goona happen).

We know the following:

1) Favre is at the Packers training camp by order of the NFL commish and ergo, currently the property of the Green Bay Packers.

2) The Packers say they are committed to Rodgers as their starting quarterback. (Rodgers will be the starter).

3) The Packers can’t afford a $12 million per year backup quarterback. (Favre won’t be Rodgers backup).

4) The Packers don’t want to release him because they know they can get value for him, and if released, the Packers have no control over where Favre goes. (The Packers won’t release him).

That leaves only one resolution. The Packers will trade Favre to a team outside the division that needs a veteran quarterback in exchange for a couple of mid-round 2009 draft picks.

Don’t forget that Favre had a fantastic statistical year last season, and led his team to the NFC’s #2 seed and into the NFC Championship Game.

My prediction: Green Bay trades Favre to Tampa Bay for a 3rd- and a 4th-round pick in next year’s draft. Mark it down, and take it to the bank.

I’m not self-absorbed enough to think that anybody cares about my hair, but I have a feeling that I’m not the only one to have wrestled with this subject:

 To cut off all my hair, or not to cut off all my hair (and I mean ALL my hair).

I’ve always kind of thought that people who do that are saying, “I give up on my hair and I’m starting all over!”

Several people pull off that look pretty well (ENMU sports information director Adam Pitterman and Howie Mandell come to mind).

But before I say, ‘Deal or no Deal’ to the rest of my hair, I can also think of a few people who probably should have kept their hair where it was (Lex Luthor and Sinead O’Connor).

I was shocked a few years ago, when visiting a friend in Portales to see that his dome met the business end of a pair of clippers, and it wasn’t a pretty site. (I think he knows who he is. Let’s just call him Kavin) He currently has a full head of hair, so maybe it started as a really bad haircut, and he decided to cash in all of his chips.

I’m in the middle of several bad haircuts, but it’s my own fault.

I’ve been letting my wife cut my hair, the last two years under the logic of: Why pay for a bad haircut, when I can get one for free at home?

In considering the bald (I mean bold) move, I also have to consider a few things.

1) Do I have a strange shaped head with weird bumps that I’ve never noticed because of my natural rug?

The last thing I want people to think, is that I’m a walking whack-a-mole game.

2) It’s summer time, and my face and head burn easily. Is this as big of a problem as it seems?

3) I really don’t want people touching my head.

There is a lot to think about here, and these were just a few questions and thoughts off the top of my head.

Edit: Click on the Editors Notebook on the homepage and check out the website of the day for July 1. I think it may give you a chuckle or two.

I’m never been much of a county fair food eater. I’ve never really liked funnel cake (… I know, I know … I’m unamerican) and I haven’t really tried anything else. (I’m not usually hungry when I go to the fair).

But the other day, at Portales’ Heritage Days, I tried roasted corn for the first time.

OMG!

 I LOVED it! It’s corn, roasted in the husk, buttered and seasoned to your taste. My particular taste on that day was black pepper and garlic seasoning.

It took me only about 10 minutes to scarf it down, and get another one.

I can’t wait until the Roosevelt County fair this summer to introduce my new favorite fair food to my six-year-old daughter.

 Note to fair vendors, bring lots of roasted corn.

The Mick

My wife and I ate out last night (Friday night) and for the first time since the tomato problems, I ate about a quarter of a red, ripe tomato.

I feel like it was a pretty brave, throwing-caution-to-the-wind moment for me, but I’ll report back in a few days to let you know how I’m feeling.

Let’s discuss some of the biggest disapointments (choking in big moments) in sports history, because as of earlier this month, we have a new non-human entry.

In no particular order:

1) The Houston Oilers (blowing a third quarter 32-point lead to the Buffalo Bills in the 1992 AFC Wildcard game)

2) Greg Norman’s monumental collapse in the Masters golf tournament in the mid-90’s.

3) The New York Mets late-season choke last year and missing the playoffs.

4) A healthy Big Brown (Vets found nothing wrong with the horse in a post race checkup) finishing dead last in the Belmont Stakes on a day the horse could have made history with the first Triple Crown in 30 years.

These are just a few off the top of my head, I’ll probably add some more later … and feel free to add your own.

It’s Saturday morning (May 31) and the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws members are trying to figure out what to do with Florida and Michigan’s delegates for the nomination of their nominee for President of the United States.

Long story short — Florida and Michigan moved up their primary elections in order to have an impact on the process. The DNC warned that if they did so, they would lose all delegates. They both ignored the warning and the DNC called their bluff, and punished the two states with no delegates.

The DNC Rules and Bylaws committee are meeting less than three months from their nomination convention in Denver in Late August, and less than six months before the general electon.

Representatives from the Clinton and Obama are speaking on behalf of their candidate in front of the committee.

As expected, it is a very heated meeting, and many are raising their voices and getting red in the face.

The DNC is quickly ripping away the Band-Aid exposing an ugly open wound.

It’s not pretty, and it probably hurts quite a bit, but it seems like the DNC is hoping the wound heals before their convention and the general election.

Democrats yelling at each other. Stay tuned!

On May 28th my daughter (about to turn 6-years-old) lost her first baby tooth. It had been loose for about a week, and she had been wiggling it getting ready for the big day, where she would be visited by the Tooth Fairy.

On the night of the 28th, she had wiggled it almost totally out, so we figured this was a good time to yank it out.

I expected it to be a pretty easy and painless venture.

Boy, was I wrong.

Now, my daughter is a pretty tough cookie. But once I started trying to get it out, I could tell it was not going to be a walk in the park.

Finally, after some crying and bleeding, she managed to get it almost all the way out, but she couldn’t go that last distance by herself. I knew it was time to step in, and get the thing out.

After trying floss, tweezers and an industrial strengthed pair of needle-nosed plyers, I finally decided to use my bare hands.

As any parent could probably attest to, it is a very strange and unnerving feeling to yank 0ut your kids tooth. But it came out, and she got a dollar from the tooth fairy.

I guess this is another sign that she is growing up, but the next time I have to pull out one of her teeeth, I’m stealing some Novocaine from my dentist.

Note: For those of you who didn’t read my live blog during the Rams state baseball championship game from Isotopes Park in Albuquerque last week, it’s still below here on my bog. Check it out, it’s a pretty decent record of what happened minute-by-minute. And for those of you who did read it, I hope you enjoyed it.

We’re looking forward to doing more live blogs like this in the future for big events.

6:10 p.m. — Log onto www.pntonline.com or www.varsitynow.com in 1-2 hours to see video highlites of the game, and make sure to pick up a copy of the Portales News-Tribune Saturday edition. Thanks for joining Freedom New Mexico at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque. Good night everybody.

6:09 p.m. — The Rams claim the Class 3A runner-up trophy for a fantastic season.

6:08 p.m. — Cobre has won the New Mexico Class 3A state baseball championship game over Portales 5-1. McMullen grounded out to second base.

6:07 pm. — The Rams are down to their final out. Carrasco struck out swinging. Ozzie McMullen at the plate.

6:06 p.m. — Cobre leads 5-1 with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. Bases loaded for the Rams, Carrasco at the plate …

6:06 p.m. — Hill walks, bases loaded, with one out. Top of the order, Shawn Carrasco at the plate representing the tying run.

6:05 p.m. — Jordan Hill at the plate for the Rams.

6:04 p.m — Bryce Chambers singles into right field. Rams hae runners at second and third, one out, down 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning of the state championship game. The Rams have two outs remaining to extend their season, or win the game.

6:02 p.m. — The Rams are in the meat of their batting order. Hammet gets thrown out at third. One out.

6:02 p.m. — Tom Sullivan at the plate.

6:01 p.m. — Villanueva singles. Rams have runners at first and second with no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, down 5-1 in the state championship game to Cobre.
6:00 p.m. — Pablo Urioste connects to left field, Urioste turns it into a double. Zach Hammet comes in to pinch run for Urioste. Andrew Villanueva at the plate.

5:58 p.m. — Portales shortstop Ozzie McMullen lives up to his name-sake, Ozzie Smith. McMullen makes a fantastic play with on on-target throw. Bottom of the seventh inning. Portales at bat trailing 5-1 in the state championship game. The Rams have three outs left, to extend their season.

5:57 p.m. — Jay Dominguez pops out to left field, two outs. Cobre leads 5-1 in the top of the seventh inning.

5:56 p.m. — Robert Peru leads off the seventh for the Indians with a straight up pop-fly, Portales catcher Ricky Lovato grabs it for out number one.

5:55 p.m. — Urioste back on the mound for the Rams in this final inning of the state championship game at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque.

5:54 p.m. — Portales is having trouble figuring out Cobre pitcher Jordan Stailey. Stailey has allowed just three hits, and has held the Rams hitless since the third inning.

5:52 p.m. — Sullivan walks. Logan Erf at the plate, two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Erf strikes out, and we’re headed to the top of the seventh inning. Cobre leads Portales 5-1 in the Class 3A state baseball championship game. Final inning.

5:51 p.m. — Sullivan has been playing out of his mind this week, slapping two home runs in the seventh inning of the Rams quarterfianal win against Sandia Prep Wednesday, before going 5-for-5 and bringing in three runs in Thursday’s semifinal win against St. Mike’s.

5:50 p.m. — Lovato struck out. Two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Tom Sullivan at the plate.

5:49 p.m. — Five outs left for the Rams to try to come back from 5-1 down.

5:48 p.m. — Portales senior Ozzie McMullen rips a line-drive into centerfield, handled by the centerfielder. One out. Lovato is at the plate.

5:47 p.m. — In the first game today at Isotopes Park, Farmington defeated Albuquerque Academy 9-4 to win the New Mexico Class 4A baseball state championship.

5:46 p.m. — Cobre half of the inning is over. Portales comes to the plate now with six outs left to try to score four runs. Cobre leads 5-1.

5:44 p.m. — Third strike drop, Cobre runner was thrown out at first base. Two outs.

5:43 p.m. — Cobre’s lead-off hitter flies out to deep left field. One out for Cobre, top of the sixth inning, with the Indians leading the Rams 5-1 in the state championship game at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque.

5:42 p.m. —As we’re nearing the end of the game, I’d like to thank you once again for joining us.

5:41 p.m. — Urioste returns to the mound for the Rams, pitching to senior Ricky Lovato behind the plate. Lovato started the game for the Rams and pitched through four full innings.

5:39 p.m. — Shawn Carrasco grounds out to shortstop to end the fifth inning. Cobre leads 5-1 and the Indians are coming up to bat in the top of the sixth inning.

5:38 p.m. — Chambers hits a line-drive to rightfield, handled for the first out. Jordan Hill grounds out for out number two.

5:38 p.m. — Chambers leads off the bottom of the fifth for Portales. Stailey remains on the mound for Cobre.

5:36 p.m. — Top of the fifth comes to a close with a strikeout. Portales’ half of the fifth inning, down 5-1. Keep in mind that the Rams posted 9 runs in the sixth inning Thursday against the top-seeded St. Michael’s Horsemen. The Rams have power in their lineup.

5:35 p.m. — If my blog ends suddenly, it means I ran down to the field for postgame interviews.

5:32 p.m.— Urioste walks the batter, runners at first and second for Cobre with two outs in the top of the fifth inning, and a 5-1 lead.

5:31 p.m. — Cobre’s Frank Morales grounds to the pitcher, the throw was off the mark, but Portales first baseman Tom Sullivan tagged the runner. Two outs, top of the fifth.

5:31 p.m. — Cobre runner steals second. A runner at second base with one out.

5:30 p.m. — The rain delay lasted for 25 minutes.

5:29 p.m. —Urioste is back on the mound for the Rams. Cobre leads Portales 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning in the New Mexico Class 3A state baseball championship game, and we’re underway again.

5:28 p.m. — … but there aren’t any Isotopes on the field right now, there are plenty of Rams and Indians, and it appears that we’re about to get started again.

5:25 p.m. — Albuquerque’s minor league team used to be called the Dukes, and they were affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

5:24 p.m. — Interesting piece of trivia. The Isotopes are the Triple-A minor league baseball team affiliated with the Florida Marlins. They got their name (Isotopes) from a Simpsons episode.

5:21 p.m. — Get yourself a cold hot dog and a flat beverage, we might be here for awhile.

5:19 p.m. — Status check; Cobre leads Portales 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning of the New Mexico Class 3A state baseball championship at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque. We’re in the middle of a rain delay. The grounds crew is working on the field and the Rams are warming up in shallow left field.

5:17 p.m. — Players are starting to trickle back onto the field to warm up.

5:17 p.m. — Who needs radio, when you’ve got a Freedom New Mexico live blog, right?

5:14 p.m. — There’s a long, bright rainbow stretching from beyound centerfield. Maybe a good sign for the Rams here at the end of the game?

5:12 p.m. — Again, thanks for joining us for the game. Grounds crew is still working on the field, while the players are in the dugouts.

5:10 p.m. — Lovato threw four complete innings for Portales, allowing five runs on eight hits. His career as a Ram pitcher is likely over. He’s thrown 10 innings since Wednesday, helping get Portales to the state championship contest.

5:07 p.m. — Status check; Cobre leads Portales 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning of the New Mexico Class 3A state baseball championship game at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, there is currently a rain delay, but it could be a short one.

5:06 p.m. — The rain is coming down harder now, the players have left the field and the grounds crew here at Isotopes Park are working on the field.

5:05 p.m. — Cobre fans are doing the Tomahawk Chop in the stands.

5:04 p.m. — Pablo Urioste is taking his warm-up pitches as the rain comes down in the Duke City. Cobre leads Portales 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning of the Class 3A state baseball championship.

5:03 p.m. — Lovato walks the batter, here comes Ram coach Art Ontiveros, and Ricky Lovato’s day is over.

5:02 p.m. — A Portales win would be the Rams’ first state baseball championship.

5:00 p.m. — A soft hit to the mound from Cobre, Lovato handles it easily, one out in Cobre’s top half of the fifth inning. Cobre leads 5-1 in the rain at Isotopes Park.

4:59 p.m. — Lovato comes back out to pitch the fifth inning. Even though he looks tired, he’s still throwing hard.

4:58 p.m. — Top of the fifth inning, Cobre at bat. The Indians lead the Rams 5-1 in the Class 3A state baseball championship game at Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park. Thanks again for joining us for the game.

4:56 p.m. — Urioste connected to deep left-centerfield, but the Cobre leftfielder made the catch at the warning track. Cobre leads 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Rams have two outs and a runner at first … wait … Andrew Villanueva just popped out to left field. Inning over.

4:55 p.m. — Stailey has held the Rams to just three hits in the first four innings so far.

4:54 p.m. — Cobe pitcher Jordan Stailey walks Logan Erf.

4:53 p.m. — Sullivan pops up to the pitcher to lead off the Rams half of the fourth inning.

4:51 p.m. — Don’t forget, Lovato is pitching on just one-day rest. He pitched a complete game in the Rams quarterfinal win Wednesday against Sandia Prep.
4:50 p.m. — The inning is over. Peru popped up to shallow leftfield. Portales’ Bryce Chambers makes the play. Cobre leads 5-1 going into the Ram half of the fourth inning in the Class 3A state baseball championship. It’s starting to rain pretty hard now.

4:49 p.m. — Lovato looks tired and dejected on the mound.

4:48 p.m. — Robert Peru at the plate for Cobre.

4:47 p.m. — Portales infielders gather for a conference at the mound with Ram pitcher Ricky Lovato. Cobre 5-1, top of the fourth inning, runners at the corners with two outs.

4:45 p.m. — Cobre infield pop-fly mishandled. Runners at the corners, two outs.

4:43 p.m. — Cobre infield pop-fly, Portales first baseman Pablo Urioste puts it away. Two outs for Cobre, leading 5-1 in the top of the fourth inning. Stolen base, Cobre has a runner at second.

4:41 p.m. — Cobre base hit down the middle of the infield, scores a run. Cobre leads 5-1 with one out in the top of the fourth. It’s starting to rain.

4:39 p.m. — Things moving slow now, a runner at second for Cobre and one out in the top of the fourth. Cobre leads 4-1 in the New Mexico Class 3A state baseball championship game at Isotopes Park.

4:38 p.m. — Cobre’s Jordan Stailey strikes out. One out.

4:35 p.m. — Cobre double into centerfield. Scores a run. Cobre leads 4-1, no outs, top of the fourth.

4:33 p.m. — After a walk and a stolen base, Cobre has a runner at second with no outs. Lovato still on the mound for Portales.

4:31 p.m. — Rams scoreless in their half of the third. Cobre leads 3-1, top of the fourth. Updates will be more regular now that I have food.

4:22 p.m. — Lovato still on the mound for the Rams. Great diving catch in shallow centerfield by Bryce Chambers. End of the top of the third. Cobre leads 3-1 in the Class 3A state championship baseball game at Isotopes Park. I’m getting some food.

4:21 p.m. — Cobre bunt, out at first. Runner at third, two outs in the top of the third. Cobre leads 3-1.

4:19 p.m. — Cobre double steal, scored a run. Cobre leads 3-1. Pop fly to centerfield. One out.

4:17 p.m. — I’m back. Top of the third inning, Cobre scored a run in the second, the Indians lead 2-1. Cobre at bat with no outs and runners at first and third.

3:56 p.m. — Urioste grounded out to third base. Rams leave two runners on. Score tied 1-1 after one complete inning. I’ll be back in the third inning.

3:55 p.m. — Don’t forget, I’ll go dark here for about 15-20 minutes after the next out to get photos and video. But I will return in about the third inning.

3:53 p.m. — Logan Erf advances Lovato to third on the fielders choice. Runners at the corners, two outs. Pablo Urioste at the plate.

3:52 p.m. — The Rams have tied the game. Sullivan grounded to the shortstop who mis-fired to second base sending the ball into the outfield. Carrasco scores to make it 1-1 bottom of the first.

3:51 p.m. — Sullivan has six RBIs in his last two games. He hit two home runs in the seventh-inning of Wednesday’s quarterfinal against Sandia Prep. He’s taking his time here.

3:50 p.m. — Lovato draws a walk. Runners at first and second for the Rams, one out. Senior Tom Sullivan at the plate for the Rams.

3:49 p.m. — Ricky Lovato is at the plate for the Rams.

3:48 p.m. — McMullen popped out to shallow left field. Portales has a runner at first, one out, and Cobre leads 1-0 in the bottom of the first.

3:47 p.m. — Carrasco just beat out a bunt, he pulled the first baseman off the base, and the Rams have a runner at first base. Senior Ozzie McMullen is at the plate.

3:45 p.m. — This live blogging thing is pretty cool. By the way, the clouds have moved over the mountains, and it’s turning into a really great day. Lots of colors.

3:43 p.m. — The inning is over, Cobre grounded out to end the inning. The Indians lead 1-0, Portales’ Shawn Carrasco is the lead-off hitter.

3:42 p.m. — Runners at first and second for Cobre, up 1-0 in the top of the first, two outs and Ricky Lovato on the mound for the Rams.

3:41 p.m. — Isotopes Park is mostly empty, about 100-150 Cobre and Portales fans. Mostly Cobre fans.

3:40 p.m. — Again, thanks for allowing us to bring you this state championship game.

3:39 p.m. — Cobre’s Stailey stole second base.

3:38 p.m. — Senior rightfielder Tom Sullivan snagged a mid-range pop-fly. Cobre 1-0 with two outs, top of the first inning.

3:37 p.m. — Don’t forget that after the first inning, there will be about a 15-20 minute break while I’m grabbing Pulitzer Prize winning photos and getting video highlights, but I’ll resume the updates probably in the third inning.

3:34 p.m. — Cobre scored the first run of the game. Jordan Stailey grounded up the middle through the infield to score the run from second. Cobre 1-0 top of the first.

3:33 p.m. — Cobre’s Chris Martinez bunted, advancing the runner to second. The Rams got the first out of the game at first base.

3:32 p.m. — Lovato hit the first batter up, runner at first base.

3:30 p.m. — First pitch is off, the state championship game has begun with Cobre hitting first.

3:29 p.m. — Lovato looks good in his warm-ups despite having only one day’s rest after pitching a complete game in the quarterfinals against Sandia Prep Wednesday.

3:28 p.m. — The Portales defense has taken the field.

3:27 p.m. — Portales defeated to-seeded St. Michael’s 16-0 in Thursday’s semifinal to make it to the title game. Portales has never won a baseball state championship.

3:26 p.m. — First pitch is just moments away.

3:24 p.m. — On the way up, I got rained on in Santa Rosa, rained harder on at Clines Corners, and in the outskirts of Albuquerque it rained pretty hard, but again, the rain has stopped, the sun is shining and we’re ready for state championship Portales Ram baseball!

3:23 p.m. — National Anthem is currently being played, and it looks like the weather will cooperate after all.

3:20 p.m. — We’ll update as often as we can, after the first inning there may be about 15 to 20 minutes where I’ll be on the field getting photos and video of the game, but keep refreshing your browser to get the latest, live updates. Again, thanks for logging on. I’ll do my best to be your eyes and ears for what might be Portales’ first baseball state championship in school history.

3:18 p.m. — After about an hour of light rain, the clouds are making room for the sun. The starting lineups are currently being announced at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque.

3:16 p.m. — We’re about 15 minutes from the first pitch. Portales senior Ricky Lovato is warming up, ready to battle the Cobre Indians for Class 3A baseball glory. Thanks for checking in during the game, everybody!