The Major League Baseball season began early yesterday, Tuesday, in Japan.

Boston rallied to defeat Oakland, 6-5, in 10 innings.

As the sun was rising in the East, baseball's season began in the Land of the Rising Sun.

There's no dome for local high school baseball and softball teams, and rain, snow and cold weather again have wreaked havoc with preseason workouts and many exhibition contests.

Games were scheduled to begin last Thursday, but Mother Nature ruined those plans.

The weather improved over the weekend and several baseball and softball squads were able to play their first non-section games in dry and cold conditions.

On the baseball side Monday, Woodland Hills defeated Kiski Area, 3-1, while Springdale stopped Riverview, 10-1.

In softball action, Riverview defeated Springdale, 4-2, in the Lady Raiders' season opener.

The weather looks promising this week and more local teams will get on the field for the first time.

In no time, the weather will be warmer and a stretch of dry days will enable teams to get into the heart of their highly anticipated league slate.

Before you know it, the high school baseball and softball playoffs will take center stage, and the early preseason weather woes again will be a distant memory.

Mike Love can be reached at east.sports@gatewaynewspapers.com