Caps' regional dwindles to three teams

~ The defending champs will compete against the Pine Bluff Braves and Springfield Generals.

For the first time, the Plaza Tire Capahas will have to beat out only two other teams in order to win the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional.

Just three squads are entered in the tournament that begins today at Capaha Field. The winner automatically qualifies for the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan.

"We've never had only three teams in it," said Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen, whose squad is hosting the event for the 16th straight year. "It's disappointing. We talked to about five other teams, but we couldn't get anybody else."

The other local squad, the Riverdogs, have participated in the tournament every summer since forming a team eight years ago. But they elected not to compete this time.

"It's a shame they're not in it, but we can't do anything about it," Bolen said.

The Springfield (Mo.) Generals and Pine Bluff (Ark.) Braves will open the double-elimination event at 4 p.m. today. The top-seeded Capahas will face the winner at about 7:30 p.m.

Today's two losers play at 4 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game, with that winner advancing to meet the winner of today's second game in the championship round. If needed, a final title contest will be played Sunday at a time to be determined.

The Capahas are the defending champions, having romped through last year's tournament when four teams competed. Plaza Tire won all three of its games by at least 10 runs and outscored the opposition 40-4.

Bolen has no idea whether this weekend's tournament will be more competitive, but he knows the 16-8 Capahas have their share of holes, primarily offensively.

"Our biggest strength is our pitching, and if we play pretty good defense behind our pitching, we have a chance against anybody," Bolen said. "But we're definitely not unbeatable, because we just don't hit the ball that well."

Bolen said Anthony Maupin, Southeast Missouri State's ace as a senior this year, will start for the Capahas tonight.

"He only has one loss and he's been pitching very good for us," Bolen said.

While Pine Bluff is a perennial NBC Mid-South Regional participant, Springfield is entered for the first time.

The Generals feature primarily players in their first or second year of college, said manager Mike Justice. He said they only have one player currently in a Division I program, that being his son, Cory, who redshirted as a freshman walk-on at Southeast Missouri State this year.

"We played Pine Bluff this year and split a doubleheader, but I'm sure the Capahas are probably on the higher end of what we've faced," Mike Justice said. "We're thrilled to death to be in the tournament. I just love Cape Girardeau, and I know Cory is looking forward to playing against some of his current and former teammates."

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NBC Mid-South Regional at Capaha Field

Today (July 14)

• Springfield, Mo., vs. Pine Bluff, Ark., 4 p.m.
• Plaza Tire Capahas vs. Springfield-Pine Bluff winner, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

• Loser's bracket final, 4 p.m.
• Championship, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday

• If-necessary championship, TBD