A decision has been made...

...and it's one that's likely to be talked about for a long, long time. According to Louie, who called me on his way back from Ricketts, the game has been called after 4 1/2 innings, with East Cobb declared a 6-5 winner over the Arizona Firebirds. It's certainly within the AABC's right to make this move, according to the rules that dictate what constitutes an official game.

That said, this certainly will be a tough one to swallow for Arizona, which had to believe it had a chance of a come-from-behind victory had all seven innings been played. It's also tough for the fans who came out tonight to see a spectacular game, which is exactly what seemed to be on tap had the rain and lightning not come. Instead, the Arizona fans are left to wonder "what if," while the East Cobb faithful was spared what certainly would have been a nail-biting finish. It must be a tough way to go out for players such as Daniel Coulombe, who was set to come into the game in the bottom of the fifth and had played in the CMWS in each of the past three summers. It also has to be tough for Farmington native Chris Coleman and former Farmington resident Brandon Garcia, both of whom came oh-so close to fulfilling their childhood dreams of playing for a World Series championship in their hometown.

In any case, the result is that the East Cobb Yankees will face the Midland Redskins tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in a rematch of last year's championship game, while the Arizona Firebirds are headed home following their second defeat of the week.

Should Midland defeat East Cobb at 5:30, a second game will be played at 8 p.m. to determine the champion. If East Cobb wins the first game, the Yankees will complete an undefeated run through the 2008 CMWS and win their fifth championship in the past 10 World Series. It's going to be a barnburner of an evening at Ricketts tomorrow...but let's hope the weather isn't a factor again. One would hate to see the championship game(s) not played to completion because of another downpour.