BANGOR – The first thing you notice while talking to Bloomfield, N.J., outfielder-pitcher Rich Monroig are his eyes.

His dark – well, make that dark-and-orange – eyes that look like something out of a high-end Halloween costume kit.

Fashion statement or rare eye condition? Actually, neither.

Monroig is the only member of the U.S. East region championship team wearing relatively new prescription contact lenses developed specifically for sports, in particular baseball.

“These are prescription Nike baseball contacts,” Monroig explained. “They block out the glare in the outfield and help me see the ball better in the field and at bat.”

Monroig said the lenses are only intended for use in day games.

“You can’t wear them at night,” he said. “When I first got them, everything was dimmer, but the colors are real bright and you pick up the seams on the ball better. It’s basically like having sunglasses for contacts. You pick up the ball real well.”

You certainly can’t argue with the results. After two games, Monroig has led his team to a 2-0 record and is 6-for-8 with a double, five singles, and two RBIs.

… and the home of the brave

Fans didn’t let technical difficulties stand in the way of their patriotism Sunday.

When the compact disc recording of the United States national anthem began to skip for the second time Sunday, a group of fans in attendance decided to help out. Public address announcer Bob Beatham told fans he would replay the anthem on another disc, but about a quarter of the crowd decided not to wait and sang the rest of it a cappella. The rest of the crowd soon joined in and sang the last two verses flawlessly, prompting someone to yell “play ball!” at the finish and render the playing of backup CD unnecessary.

At least we got these key rings

Sunday’s 28-0 demolition of the U.S. Central champions from Madison, Wis., by Latin America champs Falcon, Venezuela, was tough to experience for the fans and team members from the Badger State, but it wasn’t all bad.

Before the game, Madison’s players and coaches were given blue key rings bearing the words “Senior World Series Latin America 2006” by members of the Paraguana Senior League team. They also gave them out to officials and organizers of the Senior League World Series.

“The kids were still smiling and they had a good time,” said Madison manager Mike Reuter. “It was a great evening, actually.”

Southwest seeks offensive punch

U.S. Southwest manager Jeff Chism was pleased with his team’s 6-4, nine-inning win over EMEA on Monday, but added that his team’s offense has to improve soon, especially since Venezuela, which scored 28 runs in its first game, is Southwest’s next opponent.

“We certainly believe we can hit the ball better than [we did today],” he said. “We certainly have an uphill battle [Tuesday] with Venezuela. They came out and looked extremely well last night.”

Philippines earns first win

The Asia Pacific team from Makati City, Philippines, had a lot of extra incentive to beat Bangor 3-2 Monday evening.

Not only did manager Luis Carlos Laurel promise his team a lobster dinner in the case of a win, but it was also the first-ever win for a Philippines team in the Senior League World Series.

The last Philippines team, which was based in Manila, to make the World Series went 0-4 in 2002. That team lost all four of its pool games by the 10-run rule and was outscored 79-10.

There was a much different feeling Monday night.

“This is super for us,” Laurel said. “We just wanted to not lose all our games by the mercy rule. A win is a bonus. I’m happy for the guys. Now I can go home and say, I won a game. If we win tomorrow, I’ll say, I won two games.”

The Philippines will face the U.S. South team from Yorktown, Va., at 5 p.m.

The win was especially sweet after a 21-4 loss to the U.S. West team from Pearl City, Hawaii, in Sunday’s tournament opener.

One of the players’ mothers who was listening to that game on Bangor radio station WZON’s Internet site, called Laurel with a suggestion after the bad loss.

“She said, ‘Are you sure the kids are eating right? Maybe they need rice,”‘ Laurel said with a laugh. “Rice is a main staple for us. She said, ‘Get somebody to fry rice there.'”

One of the mothers wanted to travel with the team as a cook, Laurel added, but she couldn’t get travel documents together in time.

Hansen up for Bangor

All but one of Bangor’s players has seen action in the Senior League World Series.

That final player, pitcher Josh Hansen, will get his chance in a big spot Wednesday evening as the host team fights for its tournament life.

Hansen will start for Bangor against the U.S. West representative from Pearl City, Hawaii, at 5 p.m. Bangor has today off.

Hansen proved himself in the District 3 tournament with a key win over Old Town.

“He got us here by beating Old Town,” Bangor manager Ron St. Pierre said. “He pitched a great game against Old Town. So he deserves a chance to get out there.”

Hansen allowed 10 hits but just two runs in the 9-2 win on July 20. He also had two singles and two RBIs in that game.

Bangor is 1-1 in Pool A. After facing Pearl City (2-0) which was the tournament runner-up last summer, the hosts will have to play the U.S. South team from Yorktown, Va. (1-0).

“We have two more chances,” St. Pierre said. “It doesn’t matter how big the giants are. Maybe we’ll be David now and knock them down.”

St. Pierre considered starting Hansen in Monday’s game, a 3-2 loss to Asia Pacific, but was pleased with his choice of Riley Masters.

He wound up pitching well, giving up just one earned run, scattering seven hits, and striking out five. He walked three.

“I had confidence in Riley Masters,” St. Pierre said. “Nobody seems to know who he is, but he pitched a great game.”