When mom says no, Cards turn to dad

Enough is enough. I'm calling your bluff.

Mark Lamping is not going to move the Cardinals to East St. Louis. In fact, I dare him to. It's all mind games but its kind of hard to play mind games when you're out of your own.

The state of Missouri will never build you a new ball park as long as it involves taxpayers' money. Using public funds to finance a private corporation's facilities? That's crazy. I don't see any corporations in Cape Girardeau petitioning the Missouri legislature for new buildings. Yet.

But not so crazy for other states. It seems Missouri is a minority -- only two stadiums ever have been privately funded (Dodger Stadium and Pac Bell Park) since 1962.

Lamping isn't getting what he wants so he turns his efforts elsewhere. That's what children do when they don't get what they want. If Mom says no then they go ask Dad. "Dad" in this case is Illinois. Lamping called the recent negotiations with Illinois Gov. George Ryan "intriguing."

Going downtown to Busch Stadium is half the fun of going to see the Cardinals. I would go to that park until it was literally crumbling at the foundations. So if you want a new ball park Mr. Lamping -- I guess you need to go ask your father.

Your week ahead, free of charge:

Wednesday

There's a first time for everything. With Central's softball win over Poplar Bluff last week the team set itself up for its first conference title. A win over Jackson (who else?) would all but clinch it. Arena Park, 4 p.m.

Thursday

The Central Tigers football team will try to get its roar back after its first loss Friday, this time with another Thursday game under the lights at Houck and another formidable foe. Graves County visits the Jungle at 7 p.m.

For those of you who prefer the other kind of football, soccer plays at the same time across town. Continuing with the Central theme: The Poplar Bluff Mules face the Tigers at 7 p.m. For those of you non-Central fans there is another great soccer match eight miles away in Jackson. The Notre Dame Bulldogs kick it with the Indians for the first time this season at 7 p.m.

Friday

Scott City rams into Chaffee to renew their annual rivalry. Scott City has won the last seven matchups. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Scott City.

Saturday

It's been a while but our football heroes return after a long road trip. Tennessee State faces Southeast Missouri State in a Family Weekend and Greek Night game at Houck at 6 p.m.

There's plenty more college action around the area if Southeast isn't your thing. Middle Tennessee State goes to Arkansas State with hopes of taking out its frustrations from Saturday's loss to Southeast.

Down the road

Conference USA's leading passer and preseason Heisman hopeful, quarterback Dave Ragone, will be in Memphis Oct. 8 when the Tigers host the Louisville Cardinals. The Tigers aren't much to look at, but Louisville got our attention when it upset No. 4 Florida State last week.

David Wilson, a junior at Central High School, is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.