STRAIGHT A STUDENTS TREATED TO BALLGAME AT BUSCH STADIUM

About 1,000 Straight A students from high schools in Cape Girardeau County will be in St. Louis today to see the Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Dennis Marchi of Schnucks explained that this marks the fifth year that local businesses have sponsored the baseball ticket give-away.

"We want to reward the students for their hard work and achievement," Marchi said. "When this originally started many of the students had never had an opportunity to see a Cardinals baseball game live."

Marchi said each school set the criteria for A students who will receive the tickets.

"We try to pick an afternoon game so they are not on the road late by themselves. And we also look for an interesting game."

In addition to Schnucks, K103 Radio and the Southeast Missourian newspaper sponsor the tickets.

"It has been a real popular activity," Marchi said. "We get a lot of thank you notes and replies back from the students."