F.Y.I.

The excitement of being in Cleveland was written all over the faces of the hundreds of baseball players in anticipation of the baseball tournament that kicks off today.

The 53 competing teams are from all over the country, with representatives from Georgia, New Jersey, Texas, Iowa and California, among others.

While some teams have only played together since May or June, members of the New Jersey Riptide have played together for three years.

"We have an edge on the other teams (since we've played together so long). Definitely," said Steve Kirsch, 16.

Second baseman Kirsch and teammate Chris Allaine, 16, of Mendham, N.J., are playing in their first AAU Junior Olympic Games and are hoping to make it to Jacobs Field for the finals on Aug. 6. Until their first game, though, they are taking it easy.

"We got in town Wednesday night and just relaxed," said Allaine, a pitcher and catcher for the Riptide, adding, "COACH wants us to relax."

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