Miss Universe… meh… pero beisbol…

Must be Mexico’s week! Mexican baseball team Los Chicos  swept the Ocala Monarchs from the diamond, by a score of 7 to 1, capturing the Cal Ripkin Division of the Babe Ruth League World Series.

Rich Scheer of the Baltimore Sun (who is to be congratulated for writing of the game, not as child’s play, but as what it is… serious baseball) uncovered the secret of Mexican baseball prowess:

[Coach] Victor Paez has a simple explanation for why his teams from Mexico have advanced to eight straight championship games at the Cal Ripken World Series.

“We love baseball,” Paez said through an interpreter, “and we play with passion,”

Some serious bats haven’t hurt, either.

A three-run homer by shortstop Luis Urias and a solo shot by first baseman Luis Millan paved the way Sunday for starting pitcher Gerardo Haro, who went the distance, allowing three hits against U.S. champion Ocala, Fla., in a 7-1 win before a record crowd estimated at more than 5,000 at the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy in Aberdeen [Maryland].

It marked Mexico’s first title since 2007 and fourth overall in the annual 16-team tournament, which is the culmination of the Babe Ruth League 12-and-under Cal Ripken Division…