FanSpeak 6/26/05

The Southeast Smiths

THE SOUTHEAST athletic department again has something to be proud of. After a long season of Southeast sports, the Redhawks and the community can smile again. We haven't had much to brag about at Southeast lately, except the name Smith. We have been on the edge of our seats -- those of us that attend the games -- in the Show Me Center watching B.J. Smith and the up-tempo women's basketball team for the past three years. And now a fifth-place finish in the 400 meters at the NCAA Division I national championships has us smiling again, thanks to sophomore Miles Smith.

Late results

WHY IS it that you do not publish NASCAR results on Monday after a race? On Saturday or Sunday, we don't even get the lineup of the race that is being held either Saturday night or Sunday. You are not fulfilling the wishes of a lot of readers. NASCAR is the biggest spectator sport in the United States and followed by many in the heartland.

(Due to space considerations, results from the June 29 race were published in Tuesday's edition. The Southeast Missourian regrets the inconvenience.)

Congrats to Riverdogs

I WANT to thank the Southeast Missourian for printing articles on the latest Cape Riverdog games. We are very proud of the team for beating the Capahas. Congratulations to the team and fans who so diligently follow them. Riverdogs, good luck the rest of the season.

More to the story

The 18-and-under Heartland Travelers team that was featured in the newspaper recently also has players from the areas of New Hamburg/Benton, Chaffee, Delta, Sikeston, Oran, and Anna, Ill. The Southeast Missourian had a vague statement of "players from Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Southern Illinois."

More softball

WHY DOESN'T the Southeast Missourian cover women's fast-pitch softball? Your Cape Women's League plays every Wednesday night, and they also travel to tournaments. Most of these players are good college players from all over -- Kansas State, Maryville, Tennessee, McKendree, Kaskaskia and Shawnee, just to name a few. Many of these ladies travel great distances to play. They put on quite a show of talent and skill.

Cliff note

Former Capaha Cliff Politte is having a tremendous year for the Chicago White Sox as their setup man. Politte pitched for the Capahas in 1995 and was signed by the Cardinals after the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan. So kudos to another player with local ties who is doing well in professional baseball.