THURSDAY, MARCH 17: FOUR PIZZA BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

It's March ... meaning Madness is in the air. Beginning today, 64 well-oiled competitors (for the most part) will tip off and do battle - working their way through the tediously constructed bracket and toward ultimate supremacy.

We speak, of course, of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Pizza, which kicks off this morning right here on Spew. Sixty-four area pizza joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February, and now the time has come to see who's best. Only one can be crowned king - so vote early, often and DAILY here on Spew. Use the bracket attached to his post to guide you through the daily matchups.

Then, on April 4, join us at the Schooner Pub in Lakewood for the Official Tournament of Pizza Party - our winner will be announced during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game.

The daily pizza battles here on Spew are sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Sicilian Cuisine.

OK, let's check out today's First Round pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle.

(THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED)

GAME 1: The Cloverleaf Pizza (6430 Sixth Ave.) vs. Papa Johns Pizza (various locations)

A year after Larry Turco purchased the Cloverleaf Tavern; he added the famous pizza recipe to the Sixth Avenue joint. The rest, as they say, is pizza history. Lennard Manke bought it in 1971, and then turned it over to his family in 2004, which has since been renamed The Cloverleaf Pizza. Many consider the pizza - with its thin crispy crust and tangy red sauce - a Tournament of Pizza final four contender. The historic pizza battles Papa Johns Pizza, a pizza franchise out of Jeffersonville, Ind.

GAME 2: Ale House Sports Pub (2122 Mildred St. W.) vs. Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante (2207 N. Pearl St.)

Embedded in the Narrows Plaza area with ownership roots in Tacoma's E-9, the Ale House is know for its 64 beers on tap and clear view of the game on the tube. They claim their pizza is "famous" on their website, and it's a tasty, strong contender. The Ale House will need all 64 of those beers as they face off with Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante and its famous owner Joe Stortini, the former Pierce County executive. Joeseppi's has a talented roster with six pizzas on its menu, including their popular Lisa Marie pie with its five-cheese blend, and the good will the Stortini's spread throughout the community.

GAME 3: DelBrocco's (3908 Sixth Ave.) vs. Mona Pizza and Pasta (6104 Sixth Ave.)

With its East Coast feel, and bevy of cheese steaks and grinders, DelBrocco's serves Philly-style thin crust pizza, including by the slice. They also deliver the goods - for free! Mona, with its cozy fireplace, sports an impressive array of specialty pizzas, including six without meat. They offer both a traditional and thin crust, and are open to add or delete any topping to your desire. They also deliver. This game is too close to call. Good early match-up.

GAME 4: Pizza Casa (12924 Pacific Hwy. SW) vs. Cerello's Pizza (4916 Center St.)

A great match up to close out day one. Pizza Casa is a Lakewood icon that transcends all peoples. You'll find as many of the international jet set crowd of Gravelly Lake estates dining there, as you will common folk like us.  And, yet, it is located in the infamous Ponders Corner region once better known for late night lady walking clubs (admission applied) than good dining. But, the Casa has weathered all geographic storms and remains open seven nights a week serving the best spaghetti and (square) pizza in Lakewood (did we just write that?). Cerello's, known for its tasty crust and quick delivery out of it's tiny strip-mall location off Center Street, will need a strong defense today to stay close.