FanSpeak 9/22/02

Iwouldn't go back

FROM SOMEONE who has gone to Cardinals games with my dad since I was 3 years old at Sportsman's Park, I am saddened by the prospect of the Cardinals moving across the river. Where is any loyalty? Will I ever go to a game again with it being in Illinois? Very unlikely. Busch Stadium is not that old. Why do we need a new one anyway?

They're like traitors

WE HAVE always supported the Cardinals, but our support would end if they do not remain in St. Louis. The strong support in St. Louis has been one of the major factors contributing to the Cardinals' success. I can't believe the Cardinals would be traitors to their own who have made them what they are. It's like biting the hand that feeds you.

Need more youth info

I WOULD like to see more pictures and games printed in the paper covering youth basketball, soccer and baseball. You see coverage for the high schools, colleges and state teams, but why not our youth programs like CAYSA, Osage, and Parks and Recreation Department teams?

End of family tradition

IN RESPONSE to the St. Louis Cardinals moving to Illinois, I'm 50 years old and my family's helped with the Cardinals money-wise over the last 50 years. If this team moves to the Illinois side over money and greediness, this family will no longer support the Cardinals in any shape, form or fashion.

Not very god-like

REGARDING THE comment Sept. 15 that "Jackson football players are teated like gods," I don't know who treats them like that, but it sure isn't their coaches. Starting at last year's football banguet, coach Gross remarked in front of the players and parents that he "just hoped for a first down next year." Would the parents be upset if a teacher in the classroom said "next week is the MAP test, but I know you're going to suck?" The boys are under enough pressure to carry on the Jackson tradition. It may be a long season this year, but the coaches can help by encouraging the team instead of trying to make them feel worse.

Play without me

I ATTEND about six or eight Cardinals games a year. If they move to Illinois, I will not attend another game.

Why no racing news ... ?

I SAW a commercial marketing a Rusty, Kenny and Mike Wallace appearance at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark near Benton, Mo., on Sept. 27, along with a big sprint car show and MARA midgets that night. I have not seen anything written in the sports pages regarding this and have not seen it covered by the local television sports. This is disappointing because this is a huge sporting event. I hope this area will show support so more NASCAR stars will be invited back.

It has been mentioned several times, most recently in our Thursday edition.

... Or LPGA news?

I WAS left wanting after reading your news-in-brief the "golf" portion on Sept. 15. You had several inches devoted to golf, and in that you mentioned the PGA, Senior PGA, and the European PGA Tour. Your article specifically left out any mention of the LPGA. Please note that women's golf is a sport and when a course record is set by the No. 1 woman golfer in the world, it is news and deserves at least a spot in the brief.

LPGA information typically is published with other golf tour information. Scores from every event are published under our Scoreboard heading.

We don't need 'em

I WAS reading in the Southeast Missourian on my comments on the St. Louis Cardinals moving out of St. Louis. Well, I work at P&G. Everybody out there that are sports fans say they will not support the Cardinals. If they want to move out of St. Louis, let them go ahead and do it but treat them just like we did the St. Louis football team. They want to move, go ahead, we do not want them.

Don't let the dogs out

I WOULD like to see signs posted at all soccer, baseball fields stating "no dogs allowed." I think this could pose as a danger to the players and anyone there to enjoy the games. I know some have been asked not to bring their animals to playground areas, but they continue to do so.

Put him in, coach

COACH BILLINGS, if your field-goal kicker can't reach the goal posts, maybe it's time to use Emmendorfer. He has no problem getting it in the end zone.

It's worth 1,000 words

WHY IS it when the Cardinals lose there is a huge picture on the front of the sports page, and when they win they might get a little side column, with no picture? Very rarely is there a big picture when they win. It's obvious that whoever puts the sports page together despises the Cards.

The sports editor will be taken out back and punished, then forced to wear a Cardinals T-shirt through the entire postseason.

Same as the Cubs, Sox

IF THE Cardinals leave the state, I would not support them any more than I support the Cubs or White Sox. If they move maybe we will get the Twins or someone who has more loyalty than Mark Lamping. I guess we will lose Budweiser, too, if we don't build them a new brewery or any other major business in the state.

Gymnastics should stay

AS A parent of a SEMO gymnast, I am concerned about the decision that is being made regarding the gymnastics program. It is not a "money-maker" but it is a good community service group that works hard to bring positive public relations about the college. Their GPA is high, ranking nationally among the top 25 in the nation. They sent two out of 16 to regionals last year. It has kept my daughter focused and highly organized to practice and maintain good grades while in college. She was highly recruited by larger schools but an education at a smaller university has its advantages, or at least that's what we thought two years ago. Now with the program in jeopardy, maybe a larger university would have been a better choice.

Face the truth, fans

AT THE recent Central-Notre Dame soccer game, the student body at Notre Dame passed out cardboard cutouts of a Central player's face and wore them during the game. Intstead of crying foul, the Central student body should be praised for its enthusiam and sportsmanship.

How about stats?

IF YOU hadn't planned on inserting the area football player statistics, would you please? For some players and fans that is the only way we can see what kind of stats a player has.

That's a project in the works at semissourian.com.

Talk, talk, talk

SOMEONE CALLED in to complain about the lack of class shown by Cape Girardeau Central students at the Notre Dame-Central soccer game and their poor sportsmanship. Maybe they were taunting other players because you've got a player on your team out there at Notre Dame who has been taunting people and talking big for years. But you never see his poor sportsmanship.