RIVERDOGS READY TO LAUNCH THEIR THIRD CAMPAIGN TODAY

The Riverdogs - Cape Girardeau's other' summer baseball team for players who have used up their American Legion eligibility -- will begin their third season today.

While most baseball fans in Southeast Missouri know all about the tradition-rich Capahas, the Riverdogs are trying to carve out their own niche on the summer circuit.

"I think we provide a good opportunity for some of the guys who are maybe a little bit below the level of the Capahas to play in the summer," said Robin Minner, who along with Ray Craft founded and coaches the Riverdogs. "There are a lot of players in the area who want to play in the summer. You couldn't believe all the calls I get from guys."

The Riverdogs open today with a 5:30 p.m. road game against Saline County, Ill. Their first home action will be June 10 when a team from Fulton, Mo., comes to Capaha Field for a doubleheader.

Last summer, the Riverdogs went 8-10, but more than half of their contests were rained out. Minner is looking to play quite a few more games this year and also post a better record.

"I think we've improved the team a lot since we started," he said. "We were a lot better last year than our first year and I think this will be the best team we've had."

The Riverdogs have an 18-man roster, with virtually all of their players being either current or former collegiate performers, most on the small-college or junior-college levels.

Six of the Riverdogs are from Cape Girardeau: Michael Minner, Greg Craft, Chris Bradshaw and Shane Gibson all played at Central High School while Keith Heuring and Tim Garner are Notre Dame High School products.

Steve Fowler and Matt Davis attended Shawnee (Ill.) High School, Philip Seyer is from Oran, Wade Guemmer hails from Perryville, Mark Silverthorn is from Sikeston and Josh West is a Dexter product.

Rounding out the squad are six players from outside the area: Chris Reeves, Doug Lorella, Dave Lorella, Ken Hohe, John Carenza and Jason Underwood.