May is usually one of the more pleasant months on the sporting calendar because of its simplicity and traditions.

For a few weeks, there's no need to worry about someone calling it a ball or strike, in or out, or trying to figure out if time really did expire when the buzzer goes off or the puck totally crossed the line,

In events such as the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and Indianapolis 500, it's all about the simplest of premises - my horse (or my car) can go faster than you.

Even for those who can't tell a furlong from a furlough, it's always fascinating watching the horses run, even if you don't have a buck or two on the race.

But this weekend, it's all about Indy.

Much like the Rose Bowl is "the granddaddy of them all" in college football, such is the case at the Brickyard.

Perhaps too, as a member of one of the last generations that consumed a lot of sporting events on radio, not having the race on TV until the 70s - and tape-delayed at that - added to the intrigue, and memories. Hearing the late Sid Collins tell us to "stay tuned for the greatest spectacle in racing" was a part of every Memorial Day visit to my grandparents' home (and I'm sure grandpa will enjoy this year's race more at that great racetrack in the sky now that his wife has joined him).

While the drivers of earlier days have moved on, replaced by a new generation, it's the event itself that makes the names, not vice-versa. The 500 is still the 500, much like the Super Bowl is still the biggest game of the year, no matter which teams plays.

And while Tony George has received an unfair amount of bashing for the creation of the Indy Racing League in the mid-90s and, creating the split between his organization and CART in open-wheel racing and, it is said, opening the door for the rise in NASCAR, but time has proven George correct,

So, ladies and gentlemen, start your engines and have a safe race.

In the meantime, a few thoughts hopefully worth that second cup of coffee in between yellow flags:

l Oh, what could be and what could have been in the Central Section baseball and softball playoffs.

A Hanford West win over Fresno on Friday, with Hanford's win over Dinuba, would have meant an all-city Division III semifinal on Wednesday.

A Hanford West win over Clovis North at home and a win by Hanford at Ridgeview (Bakersfield) will mean an all-city Division III championship game on Thursday afternoon on the Huskies' diamond.

Hanford and Hanford West played earlier this month in the Division III team tennis playoffs, and the girls soccer teams from both schools advanced to the semifinals in the winter before losses prevented that matchup, but here we are again, on the edge of something historic.

l Add to the intrigue that Hanford's graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. and the softball title game is supposed to start at 4:30 p.m. Watch these pages and this Web site, since I suspect game time will be changed should all the stars fall into place ... although, having been covered with Silly String during the recessional at my high school graduation 30something years ago, I see nothing wrong with Hanford's seniors participating in the ceremony with their uniforms and other softball gear still on.

l The annual Kings-Tulare all-star football game will be played on June 20 at 7 p.m. at the Mineral King Bowl in Visalia, with a heavy dose of local talent on the West squad.

Richard Lane, whose Corcoran team was runner-up to Bakersfield Christian in the Central Section Divison V title game last December, heads up the West squad.

He'll be joined by Richard Sahagun, Andrew Burke, Anthony Ramirez and Brant Botill from Corcoran; Bryant Furtado, Tyre Hudgins and D.J. Jackson-Maciel of Hanford; Vontrail Love of Hanford West, Darius Thompson, Jared Wilde and Noah Fagundes of Lemoore; Rickey Green and Jared Calvin from Riverdale; Thomas DelaCruz and Alex Leyva from Avenal and Dustin Jackson from Laton.

Richard de Give is The Sentinel's sports editor. He can be reached at rdegive@HanfordSentinel.com or 583-2430.

(May 24, 2009)