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Yen or Pesos

Slugging for salaries

A A A Comments By Victor Cruz and Nina Korman and Juan Carlos Rodriguez Thursday, Jan 15 2004

SAT 1/17

Mike Gorman

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Big-mouth baseball players: You're on notice. It's time to put up or shut up. The Global Scouting Bureau (GSB) is rolling into town, rattling your very own keys to the planet, during a 2-day Professional Baseball Tryout. Since 1998 GSB has signed 1200 players to scores of leagues throughout the world. If you've got the right stuff you can even play America's pastime in Italy, Switzerland, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, and that other American nation, Mexico. Or you can emulate Billy Brian and put your GSB assessment on your résumé and sign a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees. Why bother? "Cause it's 1, 2, 3 strikes you're out" at this game called life. The camp starts at 9:00 a.m. at Miami Southridge Senior High School, 19355 SW 114th Ave. Registration ranges from $225 to $275. See www.protryouts.com or call 412-749-0912. -- By Victor Cruz

Bunch O' Belts

FRI 1/16 A preferred method of self-defense for groovy guys like Austin Powers and lethal chicks in Quentin Tarantino flicks, martial arts is huge these days. But what exactly is martial arts? The umbrella term covers graceful kung-fu to more combative karate to ju-jitsu to tae-kwon do, you name it. Currently hot is sport karate, encompassing weapons routines and fighting forms set to music. What would Chuck Norris say? An opportunity to check out massive amounts of martial arts can be had at the Superstar Invitational Martial Arts Tournament, today through Sunday at the Embassy Suites Hotel (3974 NW S. River Dr.). More than 600 athletes from all over the world will compete for more than $30,000 in prizes and help raise funds for BLAM Ju-Jitsu Centers' programs offered to their students with special needs. Admission is $10. Call 305-378-0077. -- By Nina Korman Foreign Relations

Bratwurst vs. Beaujolais

SUN 1/18 Today's soccer match between Miami's French and German consulates is said to be a friendly show of camaraderie, but come the second half, you can bet the expats on the field will be going for blood. (Last year's match ended in a 3-3 draw.) France's top dog diplomat in Miami, Christophe Bouchard, will be guarding the goal against German forward Deputy Consul General Stefan Traumann. Watch as diplomacy bites the dust. The game begins at 10:00 a.m. at Tropical Park, 7800 Bird Rd. Admission is free; call 305-859-8760. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez

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