OVC sticks with neutral

Despite an effort by Southeast Missouri State University and city officials to bring the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament to Cape Girardeau, the event will remain in Paducah, Ky.

The OVC announced Wednesday that it has accepted a proposal from the city of Paducah to continue serving as the host site for the tournament for the next two years. The six-team, double-elimination event again will be played at Brooks Stadium, where it has been contested the past four years.

Southeast and local officials had made a push to bring the tournament to Capaha Field. Cape Girardeau and Paducah were the only two cities that submitted bids to the OVC.

"We're obviously disappointed we didn't get the bid, but it basically came down to a decision to return it to a neutral site," Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman said. "I think the proposals were pretty comparable, but I think the feeling, especially among the coaches, was to not have it at an existing campus site.

"But the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce and the city all teamed to put together an attractive proposal."

OVC commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher said in a release, "The OVC is pleased to have a two-year commitment from the Brooks Stadium Commission, the city of Paducah and McCracken County to remain as hosts for our baseball tournament. For the past four years, our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans have been warmly received by the community and we appreciate the support of everyone who has worked hard to make the tournament a success."

Brooks Stadium, a 1,800-seat facility used by local high school and American Legion teams, was at one time the host of a St. Louis Cardinals minor league club.

"I am extremely pleased with the announcement that the OVC has chosen Paducah and Brooks Stadium for another two years," Paducah Mayor Bill Paxton said in a release. "Paducah and McCracken County are going to work extremely hard to improve this tournament every year, and we know this will be a good partnership between the OVC, Paducah and McCracken County."