JEFFERSON CITY — So, maybe you’re a member of a St. Louis are teachers union and you’re unhappy about Sen. Jeff Smith’s support of merit pay for teachers? Now you can have the chance to back him down on the basketball court and take out a few frustrations against the St. Louis Democrat.

Smith and Rep. Chris Carter, D-St. Louis, are sponsoring an annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament July 25 at Fairground Park. The tourney and Community Fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free and offers prizes for age-group winners.

Smith and Carter will play together on a team along with former college basketball players Dave Smith (University of Rhode Island) and Dave Leipholtz (Washington University). For Smith, the annual tournament might be a bit more painful this year.

Last month, while playing basketball, he ran into a brick wall (felt like one, at least, he says) while driving to the basket and broke a rib and injured his shoulder. He said he hopes to be recovered enough to play in the tournament.

Smith promises that unlike a certain professional basketball player, if you dunk on him and catch it on video, the tape won’t be confiscated!