Strict on steroids

I HAVE an idea for illegal steroid use by athletes. When they are beginning their careers in athletics in high school, why not start steroid testing there? If students test positive there, enter them in a national database accessible by every college and professional sports team. At this point, the athletes are banned for the rest of their natural lives in the United States for any college or professional sports. It's not just some crappy little fine or a ban for a season or something trivial. Make it something that will give them incentive to stay clean.

Bashing new Busch

DOES EVERYONE who loved the idea of a new Busch Stadium realize why many of the fans were against it? It's beautiful to see from your home, watching it on television. But paying $45 for standing-room is ridiculous for regular-season games. Did you realize there would be $100 seats when you supported building the new stadium? What a shame it is that most families can't afford to enjoy a day at the ballpark because of the inflated cost of tickets. Do all those corporate seats define true Cardinal fans? I think not. For a Cardinals experience for your children, head to Memphis or Springfield. It's much less expensive, even with higher gas prices, and it's family oriented.

Tigers are a team

IT'S FUNNY that the Southeast Missourian wants to make it sound as if the Central baseball team has one player on it. The last time I went to a Central baseball game, I could have sworn there was more than one guy on the field.

Schools' priorities

ALL THE hype recently over Scott County Central boys basketball coach David Heeb being suspended for undue influence by the Missouri State High School Activities Association has made me wonder: Does this really even matter? High school basketball is a privilege, not a right. When a coach allegedly violates a rule, it's headline news. When a teacher fails to teach, it's not even a footnote. I see it everywhere, and the media adds fuel to the fire. With a little research, you would find a lot of the schools in this area that have never won a championship have a high percentage of kids going on to college to better themselves. These schools have one thing in common; the emphasis is on education. Although it is not as glamorous, an A in math trumps a state championship any time.