CAPAHAS TO PLAY IN NBC OPENER

The way Cape Girardeau's Kohlfeld Capahas struggled at the end of the season, you might figure they won't exactly be brimming with confidence when the National Baseball Congress World Series opens today in Wichita, Kan.

But according to Capahas manager Jess Bolen, that couldn't be further from the truth.

"The way we struggled at the end of the season, you would think that we would not go out there with much confidence," said Bolen. "But some of the guys who have been banged up are healthy now.

"We're healthy again now and we have no excuses. This team is capable of finishing in the top 10 again."

The Capahas, who tied for seventh in the NBC World Series a year ago, open the 1996 double-elimination event at 4:30 p.m. today against the Wichita Jets.

If the Capahas win today, they won't play again until Friday. If they lose today, they'll play an elimination game Wednesday.

The Capahas have a 29-14 record. They finished third out of five teams in the recent NBC Mid-South Regional held in Cape Girardeau, marking the first time in more than 20 years that the squad did not place either first or second in that event.

But the Capahas left late Friday for Wichita with a relatively healthy squad for the first time in a while. Key pitchers Aaron Rider and Jerry Wolsey, who have been bothered by injuries, are better now, as is outfielder Lee Wallace.

"Those guys have been banged up and they're better now," Bolen said. "I feel a lot better going out there now."

Richie Phillips, the ace of the pitching staff, will get the starting nod today. Phillips is 8-2, with both losses coming to powerful St. Louis O.B. Clark, which went 5-0 against the Capahas this year and rolled to the Mid-South Regional title.

Phillips was extremely impressive against O.B. Clark in the Mid-South Regional, allowing just three hits in seven innings before being tagged with the loss.

"If Richie throws like he did against O.B. Clark and our defense plays well, we can beat anybody out there," said Bolen. "If Richie wins this first one, I'll throw him again in our next game."