Capahas receive bid to NBC World Series

Southeast Missourian

The Plaza Tire Capahas kept a tradition alive.

On Sunday, Capahas manager Jess Bolen received word that his team was offered a bid to the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan. Bolen promptly accepted, and the Capahas will be making their 23rd consecutive appearance when it debuts Sunday at midnight.

"It's just a good tournament to play in," Bolen said. "There's a lot of major league scouts there, and they can get a look at some of these guys who might have slipped through the cracks. There's a lot of good reasons to go."

The Capahas (27-8), who have won nine of their last 10, will play the Oklahoma Regional champion in its opening game.

Bolen said his team received the bid after the winner of the California Regional informed the NBC that is couldn't attend.

"The only real way you can get a bid these days is if somebody backs out," Bolen said.

The Capahas had to wait it out after losing 3-0 to the Tradewater (Ky.) Pirates earlier this month in the championship game of the Mid-South Regional

With his team unsure whether it would get an invitation, Bolen booked a spot in the American Baseball Congress Tournament for this week in Indianapolis. Bolen said his team still plans to play in the tournament.

"Even though it's not financially advisable for us to go, I feel we made a commitment," he said.

The Capahas will play four pool games, including its first two games on Wednesday. Elimination play will be waged after pool play.