SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT WITH AN EXTRA 'SPECIAL' TOUCH

The annual Special Olympics Track & Field Meet held in Cape Girardeau has gotten so popular, Penny Blanford doesn't see why the same can't hold true for softball.

Saturday, 10 teams will gather at the Shawnee Park Sports Complex for the first annual District Special Olympics Softball Tournament. Opening ceremonies will be at 9:15 a.m., with play beginning at 10 a.m. and running until about 4 p.m.

The event is co-sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department and the Southeast Area Special Olympics.

"We think it's going to be a real exciting event," said Blanford of the Cape Parks and Recreation Department. "We're trying to develop more sports in our area for special athletes. Track and field is always real popular and we just want to give the athletes more opportunities. They deserve the opportunity."

The Southeast Area Special Olympics district encompasses 14 counties, including the St. Louis and Springfield areas. Blanford said that no teams from the immediate area will actually be competing Saturday, but she hopes that changes by next year.

"We'll have several teams from St. Louis and Springfield along with teams from other areas," she said. "We're working on forming a local team and hopefully they can compete next year."

Both male and female Special Olympic athletes from ages 8 on up will participate in the district softball tournament.

"It should be a good day," Blanford said. "A lot of people association the Special Olympics only with the track meet, but there are other sports and this should be fun."