THE OPENING LINE

Monday, May 14, 2007 | 7:07 a.m.

WAKE ME UP FOR THE BALLGAME

Ten things you might overhear at Tuesday morning's fourth annual Cox Communications School Day featuring the New Orleans Zephyrs and Las Vegas 51s - and about 7,000 screaming fifth-graders - at Cashman Field.

1. "I know Maureen McGovern sang there's got to be a morning after. But then she never tried hitting the cutoff man at 10:30 a.m. after staying out all night playing blackjack."

2. "The sun is shining and the ducks are on the pond and I don't care where in the world Matt Lauer is."

3. "Hey, this hot dog McMuffin actually tastes pretty good."

4. "Teacher, teacher, may I use the restroom?"

5. "No, Johnny, this is Cashman Field. They only have two restrooms. You'll just have to hold it until fifth-period study hall."

6. "I think the New Orleans right fielder just fell asleep."

7. "The 51s manager should make that outfielder write 'I must not miss the cutoff man' 100 times."

8. "The guys in the bullpen seemed to be yawning even more than usual."

9. "Let's root, root, root for the home team - and maybe it'll wake up."

10. "I love the smell of pine tar in the morning."

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

New Orleans Zephyrs at Las Vegas 51s, Cox Communications School Day, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Cashman Field

What a deal. When we were kids and wanted to watch baseball on a school day, we had to ditch school and forge a note from mom.