CHAFFEE SETS SIGHTS ON FIRST DISTRICT TITLE

Chaffee Medicap Pharmacy's American Legion baseball team came ever so close to winning its first District 14 Tournament championship last year, forcing the if-necessary final game against Dunklin County before the Bootheel squad was able to capture its fifth straight tourney title.

This week, another strong Chaffee squad begins what might very well be its final quest at a district crown. Chaffee will reportedly drop its American Legion program after this year, instead opting to return to Senior Babe Ruth competition.

"We haven't won a district championship yet," said Chaffee manager Jeff Graviett. "It would be nice to finish up with a title."

Chaffee certainly will rank as one of the top favorites when the eight-team District 14 Tournament begins today in Senath, Mo., with Dunklin County serving as host.

The district winner earns a berth in next week's zone tourney, also being hosted by Dunklin County. And adding some spice to the district meet is the fact two teams might very well qualify for zone competition.

Because Dunklin County is guaranteed a spot in the zone by virtue of its host status, if the Redbirds win the district, then the runner-up would also qualify for zone play.

Dunklin County and Chaffee tied for first place in the regular-season district standings, both going 23-5. The squads split their four district meetings, but Chaffee was awarded the No. 1 seed based on run differential.

Chaffee, 40-8 overall -- the squad is 79-15 over the past two years -- has won 26 straight games. Dunklin County is 36-12 overall as the Redbirds are having another impressive season despite losing a host of key players off their 2000 team that captured a state title and finished as regional runner-up.

"It's been a pretty good year for us," said Dunklin County manager Jamie Johnson. "After what we did last year, and losing some very good players, I think a lot of people didn't think we'd be this good."

Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons (25-20, 19-9 district) and Sikeston (25-11, 19-9) are seeded third and fourth, followed by Poplar Bluff (25-16, 14-14), Jackson (12-18, 10-18), Charleston (2-26, 2-26) and Stoddard County (2-26, 2-26).

While Chaffee and Dunklin County rank as solid co-favorites, most of the managers see the tournament as wide open, particularly among the top five teams, all of which feature at least a couple of strong pitchers.

"I think it's going to be as wide open as it's ever been," Graviett said. "The top five seeds all have a dominant pitcher, one guy that can come out and beat you, and most of those teams also have other good pitchers. It all depends on who gets hot."

Said Johnson, "I think it's going to be very competitive. I think this year, more than any other year, more teams can win it, especially out of those top five."

Added Cape manager Tom Reinagel, "I think it's pretty wide open among the top five teams and even Jackson is dangerous. I feel like we've had a pretty good year and hopefully we can do something in the tournament."