Record turnout welcomes start of leagues

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department introduced two volleyball leagues to the public about 10 years ago. This year, one of the leagues has ecscalated to record numbers.

The six-on-six division, open to anyone 18 and older, has a record 152 players that began this week as the first of several summer leagues operated by the city.

"It's grown each of the last few years, so this is an all-time high for us with 19 teams," Chris Eastridge, a recreation coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department, said.

Last year the division had 13 teams.

The four-on-four division features six teams, which Eastridge says is about the same as past years.

The games are played outdoors at the Arena Park sand volleyball courts, and the eight-week league will end with a tournament for the top eight teams.

"I think volleyball is starting to pick up a little," Eastridge said.

Volleyball has also grown in other age groups as well. Although the indoor high school volleyball league is down by a few teams this year, it still will field 31 teams when it begins Wednesday.

The Parks and Recreation Department also offers a basketball league for high school-aged players.

The league, now in its third year, is down to six teams. Eastridge says other high school camps have hurt the number of participants in the league.

The teams play doubleheaders every Tuesday night at the Osage Community Centre.

In addition to those leagues, the Parks and Recreation Department will offer several softball and baseball leagues and tournaments throughout the summer.

"Summer is a pretty busy time for us," Eastridge said.

dwilson@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 174