The Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons Post 63 American Legion baseball team came up short in its bid for a trip to this week's state tournament.

But as somebody who has covered the tradition-rich program often during the past 25 years, it was great to see the squad have such a bounceback season.

Last year was among the worst in the history of a storied program that has won five state championships and numerous district titles. Post 63 went 9-22.

Things got so bad at the end of the campaign that Cape couldn't even field enough players for its final District 14 tournament game and had to forfeit, ending its season.

But Cape, led by an infusion of new players and new coaches -- including former Southeast Missouri State All-Americans and minor league players Todd Pennington and Steve Williams -- rebounded nicely.

Cape won its first District 14 tournament title since 2003 and finished with a sterling 31-15 record after a third-place finish at least week's Zone 4 tournament in Perryville, Mo.

With a host of key players eligible to return next summer, more good things should again be in store for Post 63.

And I know the above is sweet music to my good buddy Doc Yallaly, one of Cape Girardeau's legendary baseball figures who spent 40 years as Post 63's coach and has served as the program's general manager since his retirement in 1996.

Nobody has poured his heart and soul into Post 63 Legion baseball more than Yallaly -- he led the squad to a pair of state titles -- and it's nice to see him rewarded again for his efforts.

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Not only did I have a lot of fun covering Cape's games at the zone tournament Thursday and Friday, it was a blast road-tripping to Perryville both days with Yallaly and Herb Nance.

Nance, another big-time Post 63 Legion baseball supporter, is -- like Yallaly -- a close friend of mine.

If you haven't taken a road trip with Yallaly and Nance, or even simply hung out with them for any length of time, you don't know what you're missing.

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One final note about the zone tournament: I was totally impressed by the job Perryville did in hosting the event at the sparkling, renovated Perryville City Park field.

Tournament director Erv Armbruster and many others played key roles in putting on a smooth event that appeared to operate without a hitch.

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The Plaza Tire Capahas have one final regular-season game left -- Tuesday at Fairview Heights, Ill. -- before they gear up for their 28th consecutive appearance at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

The NBC World Series begins Saturday, but the Capahas don't yet know what day they'll play their first game.

And now that the Capahas' home schedule is over, here's a special shoutout to John Rice, who served as the team's PA voice for the last half of the season.

John, who ranks as perhaps the most loyal supporter of not only the Capahas but also Southeast sports, did a great job with his enthusiasm and booming voice.

Here's hoping John is back in the Capaha Park press box next summer and for many summers to come.

Also of note for the Capahas, manager Jess Bolen has moved to within one win of pushing his career record to an astounding 1,000 games over .500.

Bolen, in his 43 season running the Capahas, is 1,357-358.

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While the Ohio Valley Conference won't release its preseason football poll until today, the Missouri Valley Football Conference made its preseason predictions last week.

Once again Southern Illinois University is expected to fare well as the Salukis were picked second, behind Northern Iowa. Those teams tied for the MVFC title last year.

SIU has made six straight playoff appearances. If things go as planned, the Salukis will be tuning up for another playoff run when they end the regular season Nov. 21 at Southeast.

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The Southeast football program is looking for student volunteers, preferably with football experience, to help with video and film work during the 2009 season.

Volunteers will be provided housing and meals throughout camp, which runs Aug. 5 through 24. Game and practice apparel also will be issued. The volunteers are required to work all home and away games in addition to their assigned duties over the summer.

For more information, call Southeast assistant coach Chris Norris at 270-8511. Norris also can be reached at cnorris@semo.edu.

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Bashers of the Cardinals' management probably don't have much to complain about these days after the team pulled off another major trade last week by landing slugging outfielder Matt Holliday.

It remains to be seen whether the key moves the Cardinals have made recently -- including getting Mark DeRosa -- pay off in a postseason berth or even more.

But regardless, you've got to like what the Cardinals have done.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.