FanSpeak 7/31/05

A place on the map

IN YOUR article on July 23 about Jackson being eliminated from the Senior Babe Ruth state tournament, coach Paul Sander said, "We had a lot of fun and helped put Babe Ruth baseball back on the map in Jackson." That is a pretty arrogant comment, even from our mayor. Jackson has always had Babe Ruth baseball, and it's always been on the map. I think his comments are pretty much a slap in the face to boys who've played before.

Worth further review

I READ where Joey Evans will not be returning to Southeast Missouri State's baseball program next year. This is a great loss. However, it is not surprising. I urge athletic director Don Kaverman to contact players who have graduated or left in the last eight years to see what's actually going on in the program. It's a real shame that your reporter has witnessed many things but ignores them.

Apology owed

ONCE AGAIN, Marty Mishow is condescending to the readers. Marty gets caught in an error, someone points it out in Fan Speak and Marty uses his column to accuse that person of nitpicking. You owe an apology to the fan who called in and corrected you and to whom you reacted in a smart-aleck manner.

A home for dodgeball

THE JACKSON Underground Dodgeball League recently was banned from the upper tennis courts in Jackson City Park. JUDL has brought much publicity to the courts, often more than most tennis matches. The weekly play on Friday nights have become a reason for the younger generation to meet and socialize while enjoying a fun and safe sport. It has spawned multiple tournaments, one with more than 24 teams in attendance from towns throughout Southeast Missouri. It upset me to hear this decision was made without notice to the members of JUDL and without a meeting for JUDL representatives to give their opinions on the matter.

(Shane Anderson, director of the Jackson Parks and Recreation Department, said the four upper courts are being resurfaced and are getting new nets. He said the league has a new location in the park with two courts and added that discussions are taking place with JUDL representatives about playing tournaments at the upper courts.)

Successful tournament

THE CAPE Senior Babe Ruth team participated in the wood bat tournament in Charleston on July 8 and 9. I wanted to say what a great job Michael Minner did with this event. I was impressed with how helpful the people working at the event were. Thanks to all of you for a good tournament.

Thanks to the coaches

I WANT to thank Alan Wengert and Mike Dunaway for taking over the Cape Senior Babe Ruth team this summer. It was an enjoyable and great season. I appreciate all they did for our kids. Thanks for giving these young men a chance to play summer baseball. For a while, it looked like we may not have a team. Thanks for investing your time and giving these kids a chance. Also, thanks to assistants Mark Smith and Mike Kolda.