The tournament forms a critical part of the West Indies' preparation for the 1999 World Cup in England and for the first time ever, the United States national team will be officially taking part in regional competition.
All West Indies players are expected to take part in the tournament, turning out for their individual territories, and keen competition is anticipated as the various teams will be bolstered by the presence of the more accomplished players.
Of critical significance is the fact that the 1998 Red Stripe Bowl could be the last chance for regional players to get a chance to impress selectors in order to gain consideration for the West Indies World Cup squad.
West Indies selectors will be present at all matches in the competition, both in Guyana and Jamaica, and will be critically assessing players with a view to choosing the best possible squad.
In recent years, West Indies have been fielding separate teams for one-day competitions and players must certainly be hoping to produce their best form when it matters.
Not since the outstanding feats of the sides led by Clive Lloyd in 1975 and 1979 have the West Indies won the World Cup and after almost 20 years in the wilderness, the Cup in the Caribbean seems long overdue.
Additionally, if West Indies could win the 1999 World Cup it would be the adequate prelude to the staging of the ninth World Cup in the Caribbean, most likely in 2005, where we would be playing as defending champions.
Of no small significance to the Red Stripe Bowl this year is the presence of the American team, led by former Jamaica player Richard Staple.
The United States is contesting the zone being played in Jamaica, which includes defending champions Leeward Islands, Jamaica and Barbados.
The USA's participation became a reality after they satisfied the WICB requirement that cricket in the country must be organised by one umbrella body.
That organsiation has emerged as the USA Cricket Association and it means that with the inclusion of the USA, Canada will be absent from this year's tournament since the Canadian Association and the WICB had agreed that Canada and the USA would alternate participation in the annual tournament.
While the USA were trying to put their house in order, Canada competed in the 1996 tournament, which was sponsored by Shell and Sandals, and again last year in the inaugural Red Stripe Bowl.
With the WICB's responsibility for the development of cricket in the Americas, the Board views the readiness of the USA to take part in the tournament as a positive step towards the further development of the game in the hemisphere.
The emergence of the Red Stripe Bowl has brought with it the formal introduction of coloured clothing, the white ball and black sight-screens to the Caribbean game and the WICB continues to be excited about how the concept is being received across the region.
We also greatly appreciate the support of sponsors, Desnoes and Geddes in helping to make this innovative tournament a reality.
Bigger audiences are expected to view this year's tournament as extensive television coverage of the final is on the cards again this season. The play-off will be televised throughout the USA, Canada and across the Caribbean.
The 1998 Red Stripe Bowl will be played during the month of October with the preliminary rounds scheduled between October 6 and 11.
The second zone, like last year, is being played in Guyana and includes Trinidad and Tobago, the Windwards, Bermuda and host team Guyana. Bermuda are competing for the third season since their maiden entry in 1996.
The Red Stripe Final Four (semi-finals and finals) is again being played at the Kaiser Sports Complex in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, with the first semifinal on October 16, the second on October 17 and the final on National Heroes Day in Jamaica, October 19.
Across The Board represents the views of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
Christopher Dehring is Chief Marketing Executive of the WICB.
Questions and comments addressed to ``Across the Board'' can be sent to:
The West Indies Cricket Board,
St John's Wood, Antigua.
e-Mail: WICB@candw.ag
Fax: (268)460-5452