THE LATEST LINE: CHAFFEE JR. LEGION TEAM CAME UP BIG IN THE CLUTCH

Chaffee's Junior American Legion baseball team, made up of players from several communities, figured to be extremely strong this summer.

After all, the squad featured a host of players who had already been varsity starters for various high school teams, which is somewhat unusual considering that Junior Legion teams are made up mostly of players ages 15 and 16 who have just completed either their freshmen or sophomore years of high school.

And strong Chaffee was during the regular season, losing just one game. But then came a pair of surprising losses in zone play, which kept the team from advancing to the state tournament.

But not to worry. Chaffee got a second chance because it was hosting the eight-team Mid-States Regional Tournament, featuring champions from seven states along with Chaffee, which as host squad received an automatic berth.

This time, there would be no stopping Chaffee. The squad did falter once in the tournament but battled back through the loser's bracket to win its final games convincingly. The last two victories came against the same Minnesota team that handed Chaffee its lone tourney defeat, including a 5-1 win in Tuesday's final contest.

So Chaffee finished its outstanding season with a 45-4 record by winning the biggest event that Junior American Legion baseball has to offer, since there is no national tournament at that level.

Major congratulations to all the players and coaches on the team for a job well done.

* While Chaffee just got through wrapping up its big championship, three girls fast-pitch softball teams from the Benton area will be trying to capture national titles this week.

The Heartland Girls Softball League will host the Babe Ruth National Tournament Thursday through Sunday in Benton. Regional champions along with host teams will compete in three age divisions: 12-under, 13-15 and 16-18.

More on that big event will appear in the Southeast Missourian later in the week.

* While the summer sports season is just about wrapping up, football is definitely in the air these days.

Southeast Missouri State University, seemingly with warranted high hopes based in great part on a host of talented Division I-A and junior-college recruits, will begin its full-scale, two-a-day practice sessions Monday.

The Indians have already had two days of workouts with only newcomers, although many of those 30 first-year Southeast players figure to man starting or key positions this year.

High school football teams will begin practice Wednesday, the first day under Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations that all prep fall sports squads can begin official workouts.

* Former SEMO assistant football coach Kevin Verdugo has been hired at Division II Northern Michigan as offensive coordinator/running backs coach.

Verdugo, formerly SEMO's quarterbacks coach, was let go along with two other assistants following the Indians' 3-8 season.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian