WINNERS CHOSEN FOR SOUTHEAST NIGHT AT BUSCH STADIUM DRAWING

And the winner is....

On Friday afternoon, the winners were drawn from more than 1,600 ticket orders for Southeast Night at Busch Stadium on June 3. The Cardinals will take on the Cleveland Indians that day.

Names were drawn from a box of all the ticket numbers by representatives of the Southeast Missourian and Southeast Missouri State University, co-sponsors of the event.

Clay Mothershead, age 13, of Benton was chosen to throw out the honorary first pitch prior to the start of the game.

"I think that is exciting," said his mother, Kim Mothershead, who is a regent at Southeast Missouri State University. Clay plays in a youth baseball league, the Astros team.

Mothershead said it's ironic that her son will throw out an honorary pitch at the game. Clay plays centerfield, but his coach has been working with him to make him a pitcher.

Eight others were chosen to go on the field during batting practice. They will have their photograph taken with a Cardinal player, and receive a copy of the print. These winners are:

Daniel Chandler of Jackson, Judy Buck of Sikeston, Tiffany Jenkins, a Southeast student, Jim McCausland of St. Louis, Barry Cordez of St. Louis, Randy Welter of Benton, Barb Kinsey of Cape Girardeau and Bob Fox of Cape Girardeau.

Kinsey said she was astounded by the news that her ticket was drawn out of 1,600.

"Two of my sisters are big Cardinal fans. I'm going to call them tonight and rub it in," she teased.

Kinsey, who works as an administrative secretary at the university, went to a handful of games last year, including the 1999 Southeast Day at Busch Stadium. "I had a ball last year," she said.

In addition, three names were drawn to receive vouchers for two terrace reserved seat tickets for a future Cardinal game.

Those winners are:

Regina Ice of Cape Girardeau, Richard Wright of Scott City and Debra Ireland of Cape Girardeau.

About 100 tickets remain for sale and will be sold until Friday, May 19. The discounted group price for tickets is $13 for adults and $7 for children. Those interested in buying tickets can call the Alumni Office at (573) 651-2259.

An final form will run in the Southeast Missourian on Sunday and Monday. However, it is asked that orders be faxed, dropped off or called in at this late date.

Southeast Night T-shirts have been delayed, but expected to arrive this week. Orders can still be taken for 90 extra shirts in all sizes.

Spots still remain for bus transportation to the game. Those who buy these bus tickets can still gain entrance to the pre-game party, which begins at 5 p.m. at the Sverdrup Terraces, just to the east of the Stadium.

Eight buses will take participants to the game. The buses will leave at 3 p.m. in front of the Show Me Center. Boarding will begin at 2:30 p.m. that day.

Tom Chase with group sales at the Cardinals is excited about the large contingent coming from Cape Girardeau. He will be the one to take the groups on the field that day during batting practice.

He said sales for the May 20 game are strong.