CHAFFEE EYES 1ST DISTRICT CROWN

Without question, the current Chaffee Medicap Pharmacy American Legion baseball team figures to have its best chance yet of bringing home the program's first District 14 Tournament title.

But in order to do that, Chaffee will have to get past three-time defending champion Dunklin County and a few other potential contenders during the seven-team, double-elimination event that begins today in Charleston.

"It's going to be a tough district and it's still pretty wide open," said Chaffee manager Jeff Graviett. "I think we have as good a chance as anybody, but it's definitely not going to be easy."

Chaffee, having its best season in the relatively short history of the program, is seeded first. The squad had a stellar regular campaign, going 31-5 overall and 23-3 in district play.

"We've had a really good season, but we've never won a district (tournament) title and that's our goal," Graviett said. "Our program is improving, but we really want to get that first one."

Dunklin County, which has dominated the district tourney in recent years, also had a stellar regular season, going 36-6 overall and 23-5 in district action. The squad is the No. 2 seed.

Other legitimate contenders appear to be third-seeded Sikeston (24-16, 17-11), No. 4 Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons (28-18, 17-11) and No. 5 Poplar Bluff (17-15, 16-12).

Bringing up the rear as far as the seedings go are No. 6 Charleston, which won four district games, and first-year team Stoddard County, which captured just one district contest. Charleston could be capable of pulling off an upset or two but probably won't contend for the title.

There will be two games each evening through Saturday, with contests at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

Action gets under way today as Cape plays Poplar Bluff at 5 and Sikeston faces Charleston at 8.

Tuesday, it's Dunklin County vs. Stoddard County at 5 and Chaffee, which received a first-round bye, vs. the Cape/Poplar Bluff winner at 8.

The winner's bracket final is set for Friday at 5. The finals are set for Saturday at 8. If no team finishes the tournament undefeated, then one more title game will be played Sunday at 1 p.m.

"I really think a number of teams could win it," said Graviett. "Dunklin County probably has the deepest pitching. I think Cape has the best hitting team. We've been solid all year. And Sikeston and Poplar Bluff are both dangerous. It should be interesting."

Cape manager Ron Michel also looks for an interesting tournament, but he definitely considers the top two seeds as the clear favorites.

"Chaffee and Dunklin County are most definitely the favorites," he said. "We have a shot, and so do Sikeston and Poplar Bluff. We've got a tough first game with Poplar Bluff. I'm sure they're going to throw (Jamie) McAlister, who is tough. We'll go with our horse, (Garrett) Broshuis."

Said Dunklin County manager Jamie Johnson, "I don't know if there is a favorite. It's going to be some good ballgames. We've got some good talent in the district."

Sikeston manager Charlie Dye, like Michel, believes that Dunklin County and Chaffee are clear-cut favorites.

"Right now, in my book, they're the favorites," he said. "Chaffee won the league (regular season), so you have to consider them, but they both split the (regular-season) series. It should be interesting. I don't think any other team has the pitching depth to compete in the district tournament with either Chaffee or Dunklin County. It's going to be some good ballgames."