SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- The storylines are all in place. Leones del Escogido are seeking to maintain the Dominican Republic's customary home advantage. Cangrejeros de Santurce will try to pick things up exactly where they left off in Santo Domingo 16 years ago. Tigres de Aragua from Venezuela and Cuba's Tigres de Ciego de Ávila are hoping to make history for their respective nations. And Venados de Mazatlán are going all out for Mexico's fourth title in six years and the second international title in the team's history.
All is ready at Santo Domingo's Quisqueya Stadium Juan Marichal -- at least on the field of play - at the start of the 58th edition of the Caribbean Series, professional baseball's oldest champions tournament.