Jackson, Perryville both host youth state title events

This weekend will determine some youth softball and baseball state champions, an area golf champion and kick off the Show-Me State Games.

* The Jackson Boys League will host the Cal Ripken state tournament for boys baseball teams in the 12-and-under division. The eight-team double-elimination tournament begins at 2 p.m. today and concludes Sunday. All games will be played at Brookside Park field No. 9.

Cape Girardeau will play Kennett in the opener at 2 p.m. Jackson will play in the day's final contest at 8 p.m. against Mineral Area. Opening ceremonies are slated for 7:30 p.m.

* Perryville will host two youth state championship events this weekend in Little League all-star softball. The girls junior (ages 13 and 14) and senior (ages 15 and 16) division tournaments will take place Friday through Sunday at the Perry Park Center.

Perryville is among the entrants in the senior girls division, a four-team double-elimination tournament.

Perryville also has two Little League all-star teams heading off to two other state tournaments: the major division girls (ages 11 and 12) are playing in Columbia, Mo.; and the minor division girls (ages 9 and 10) are playing in Joplin, Mo.

* The Auffenberg Chrysler Men's Individual Tournament will be played Saturday and Sunday at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course. The event begins 7:30 a.m. each day with a field of 30 to 40 golfers expected.

Among the favorites of those registered, according to golf course manager Jason Karnes, are Mitch Jackson, a multiple winner of the event, and Todd Easton.

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department joins Auffenberg in sponsoring the event.

* The Show-Me Games kick off 7 p.m. Friday with the Opening Ceremonies at the Hearnes Center on the campus of the University of Missouri.

Among the events to begin this weekend -- the first of three weekends for the event --are baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, kickball and volleyball.