The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: February first, celebrating baseball, empanadas and pina colada.

Here's good news for baseball fans who crave world class competition. Though this winter's cold and labor strife still chill major league ball parks in the U.S., somewhere the sun shines bright. In fact, starting tomorrow some of the world's best major leaguers will be stepping up to bat for the Caribbean World Series.

For decades, winter has brought baseball to the professional leagues in Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. For the past three months, all four nations have been diverted by baseball fever, as their local teams battled for the honor of representing the nation in the Caribbean championships.

Winter baseball is still played far more for pride than for money. Attend a game, and you'll see both tomorrow's brightest prospects and stars still shining in baseball's firmament. In addition to Latin luminaries, many well-known gringos line the base paths, sharpening their skills. Toward the end of the regular seasons, the biggest names tend to wind up on the national team going to the Championships.

This year's five- game Caribbean Championship series starts tomorrow and runs through next Thursday. The setting is University Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela. Wildly partisan crowds will give the stadium an air slightly reminiscent of a college football game. Vendors peddle banana chips, beer and pina coladas, with or without the rum.

The food and music may seem a little strange, but anyone who appreciates baseball at its best will feel they've died and gone to heaven.

FMI For more information on the Caribbean World Series www.latinobaseball.com. For game and ticket packages, www.southamericanfiesta.com or 800-334-3782.

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