USMA IN THE NEWS

The Yankees open the home portion of the season today with a game against the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees have won 17 of their last 20 home openers, including the last six. Here's a look at the day's events:

Arrive early: Gates open at 11 a.m. All fans will receive a Major League Baseball collectible foldout poster that previews the entire 2004 season and a pack of trading cards.

Pregame festivities: The United States Military Academy Band begins pregame ceremonies at 12:40 p.m. with a musical performance. In addition to the presentation of colors by the West Point Cadet Color Guard, a giant American flag will be unfurled in the outfield by 40 West Point cadets. At the conclusion of the national anthem, which will be performed by the United States Military

Academy Glee Club, four U.S. Navy F-14s piloted by the VF-211 squadron (the Fighting Checkmates) will fly over the stadium.

First pitch: Right-hander Javier Vazquez is scheduled to deliver the first pitch of his Yankees career at 1:05 p.m. He will be taking on White Sox lefty Scott Schoeneweis

Seventh-inning stretch: Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will sing "God Bless America. "