With major leaguers and japanese pros well into their spring training schedules, baseball activity in Moscow is finally picking up after a long winter. Here's some early makings of the 1998 Russian League schedule along with a list of other events.

The upcoming RL championship is gonna be a round robin tournament (no Russian Series again), played mostly on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at two usual locations, MGU Stadium in Moscow and SKA-29 in Balashikha. While it's too early to say which teams will or will not play this year, I think it will be around as many teams as in 1997.

The Opening Day is planned on either April 25 or May 2, depending on weather. The first leg of the championship will last until May 25, when the Team Russia goes to an international tournament.

The second leg will span from June 3 until June 10.

June 15-21 - Russia hosts its first ever European-level tournament, the CEB Cup. The Russian League will be represented by its champion, CSKA PVO. June 22-30 - the traditional Shigeyoshi Matsumae Tournament at the MGU Stadium.

The third leg of the RL championship takes place July 1-12.

The second half of July will see lots of international competition, the SKV ballclub travels to the European Cup Winners' Cup, the Russian junior team plays at the European Championship, and, finally, the Team Russia makes debut at the World Championship in Italy.

The RL resumes play on August 3 and will conclude its season on September 15.