Fan Speak Aug21

Dodgeball disbelief

I CAN'T believe that the Jackson Board of Aldermen banned the annual dodgeball tournament. They have been playing for years, and if people had a problem with it they should have said something long ago. I bet whoever banned the tournament has never even watched the kids play. This is just ridiculous.

(As was reported in the Southeast Missourian on Aug. 18, organizers of the event canceled it following action by the Board of Aldermen to restrict the use of Jackson City Park's upper courts, which were refurbished this summer in preparation for the girls high school tennis season.)

Southeast or St. Louis?

I NOTICED on your sports page for Aug. 14 under the box score of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter's name was listed under Southeast. The St. Louis Cardinals now had become Southeast. Kind of strange, isn't it?

(It is strange and incorrect, although it may be wishful thinking among Redhawks fans to have Carpenter on the staff. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.)

Many assistants

CONGRATULATIONS TO Southeast Missouri State football coach Tim Billings for having a full staff of assistants. Billings could very well have the largest number of assistants in the country if you include as assistants the thoughtful critiques of the team that will be offered by commentators in Fan Speak.

More bowling coverage

I LOVE to go bowling. I am not that good, but is it a great enjoyment for me and my family. I see the league scores in the paper all the time, and maybe the Southeast Missourian could do some stories about those people. I see a lot the same names week after week. I think those guys and girls should get a little more attention for their efforts. Bowling is the largest participation sport in the world, yet it never gets more than a little space in the paper. Do some features on these people. I'm sure they would appreciate the attention. Plus, it would give the sports section a little help. It gets pretty thin most of the time.

Celebrate the good

WHY DON'T we celebrate some of the kids who follow the rules, who bust their butts and who do good jobs and don't let their teams down? No wonder kids think that if you are an athlete, you can get away with stuff. The pros do it, local athletes do it, and the ones you glorify are the rule breakers. Let's see some things about some good athletes who haven't broken the rules, who have gotten there the right way -- by working hard, by being a good team players and by following their coaches' rules.