CHAFFEE JUNIOR LEGION HEADING TO ITS FIRST STATE TOURNAMENT

As host of last year's Junior American Legion Mid-States Regional, Chaffee parlayed an automatic tournament berth into a stunning regional championship.

This year, Chaffee will have to earn its way into the regional -- which is as far as a Junior Legion team can advance -- by winning the five-team state tournament which starts today in Ballwin.

Chaffee gets started in the double-elimination tourney against Sedalia today at 5:30 p.m. Zone play continues through the weekend with the final championship game ending Saturday or, if necessary, Sunday.

Chaffee (31-15) earned a spot in the state field with its first-ever zone championship last weekend in St. Louis. Earlier this month, Chaffee claimed its second straight District 14 title.

"We've been playing really well all season," said second-year Chaffee manager Jeff Graviett. "We're strong on the mound and if we continue to hit the ball like we have lately, we've got a good shot."

Brian Obermann, a left-hander from Notre Dame High, and Chaffee's Matt Stroup have been the top two arms for Graviett. Obermann has a 7-1 record with three saves and a 2.02 earned run average. Stroup compiled an 8-2 mark this season with three saves and a 2.71 ERA.

Offensively, Todd Friend, a 14-year-old from Notre Dame, leads three other teammates with batting averages over .400. Friend's batting .450 followed by Kelly's Brad Kolwyck at .430 and Notre Dame's John O'Rourke at .411.

Leadoff batter Tory Meyr of Jackson has been a terror on the bases with a team-leading 43 stolen bases to go with his .362 batting mark.

Said Graviett: "When Tory gets on, he's pretty deadly on the bases."

As the tournament's host team, much like Chaffee last year, Ballwin received an automatic berth into the tourney field despite getting upset in district play.

"Ballwin got upset in districts," said Graviett. "They're a good team and I'm a little worried about them."

Graviett is also concerned about Jefferson City, a perennial Legion baseball power.

"Jeff City will be tough," Graviett said. "They're always the team to beat in this tournament."

Whoever wins this weekend, a trip to Denver, Colo., where this year's Mid-States regional will be held, awaits them.