Upon further review, punishment for Southeast doesn't fit violations

I'm back from California -- rejuvenated, I might add, after a nice vacation -- and I've got several more thoughts about the recent announcement regarding NCAA violations within the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball program.

First of all, let me say that last week's initial comments were pretty much off the cuff, without having a chance to fully digest everything and also before talking to various people whose opinions I respect. That includes coaches and administrators at different programs.

After reviewing everything, I've come to the conclusion that, unless there is considerably more to what came out in the initial report, B.J. Smith and his Redhawks got the short end of the stick.

For Southeast to agree to self-impose the loss of three scholarships during the 2006-2007 school year, in addition to other penalties, might be unprecedented -- not only for these types of violations but maybe for any types of violations. Some of the people I talked to from other universities were stunned.

I could understand if the reduction in scholarships was spread out over a period of time. Say, three years maybe.

But all in one season? For these infractions?

On the surface, it just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

Now, let me repeat what I wrote last week about there being no excuse for not knowing the rules, although it would probably be difficult to be aware of every rule.

Also, the report from The Compliance Group -- which conducted the investigation for the Ohio Valley Conference commissioner's office --was not specific on the number of instances for the seven infractions, meaning they could have happened more than those seven times.

Still, at this point, it looks to me like a case of the punishment not fitting the crime.

For example, remember when the Southeast men's basketball program was investigated by the NCAA for violations committed under former head coach Ron Shumate?

Those infractions -- infinitely more substantial than what has so far been uncovered with the women -- were deemed serious enough that in 1998 the NCAA placed the men on three years' probation.

But as far as lost scholarships, the men were only hit with one, which the university had self-imposed and the NCAA accepted.

Sure, three scholarships might not seem like much to the average fan, especially when Division I women's teams are allotted 15 annually compared to 13 for men's squads.

But just think about that. It means you're operating on 80 percent efficiency. If this were NASCAR, what chance would you have if your car was running on 80 percent efficiency? Probably not much.

And considering the Redhawks lost six seniors who represented most of their best players from the program's first NCAA Division I tournament squad, the recruiting class for this coming season is crucial.

No team ever recruits only players who turn out to be keepers. But the bigger pool a squad has to chose from, the better chance it has of hitting on a few gems -- which will be particularly important for the 2006-2007 Redhawks if they want to remain an NCAA tournament-type team.

Now, the Redhawks' margin for error with their recruiting for this year has become razor thin.

The only way taking away three scholarships will even come close to being justified is if the NCAA deems that Southeast's violations were major in nature.

We'll soon find out.

n

Although exact game times and pairings have not yet been released, area baseball fans should make plans to be at Capaha Field from Friday through Sunday for the annual National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional.

The host Plaza Tire Capahas will be gunning for their second straight regional title and yet another berth in the prestigious NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan.

Manager Jess Bolen's squad has made it to the nation's highest-level amateur baseball tournament the past 23 years and should be favored to extend that streak.

After not winning the Mid-South Regional for three straight years, the Capahas dominated a watered-down field last summer, winning all three of their games by at least 10 runs and outscoring the opposition 40-4.

The tournament may or may not be any more competitive this time around -- it just might be, since this isn't one of Bolen's vintage teams -- but it still figures to be a lot of fun. That's pretty much been the case since the Capahas began hosting the event in 1991.

More information on the tournament will appear in the Southeast Missourian later in the week.

n

Two former Southeast baseball stars have been named to the West Division squad for the Frontier League All-Star Game, which will be played Wednesday in Evansville, Ind.

Todd Pennington, the closer for the Gateway (Ill.) Grizzlies, and Clemente Bonilla, the second baseman for the Windy City (Ill.) Thunderbolts, will both participate.

Pennington, an All-American pitcher for Southeast in 2001 who spent the past five years in the Cleveland Indians organization before being released, is tied for second in the Frontier League with 11 saves.

Bonilla, who completed his eligibility at Southeast in 2002, has spent the past five years playing in various independent leagues. He is batting .297 and has stolen 16 bases without being caught.

n

All right, maybe it's not exactly a sport, although you have to admit it's plenty competitive -- and not easy.

I'm talking about Tuesday's hot dog eating contest that was televised by ESPN. I confess, I watched -- and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Takeru Kobayashi won the event for the sixth straight time by breaking his own record with 53 3/4 hot dogs, plus the buns, in 12 minutes.

I dare any traditional elite athlete to even come close.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.