It’s baseball season! And this year, there’s extra anticipation in Cape Girardeau. We’ve got a brand-new team set to take the Capaha field for the first time on June 4, 2019. The Cape Catfish are part of the Prospect League – a wood bat organization with 12 teams throughout the Midwest.

The Cape Catfish are a Cape Girardeau original; they didn’t move here from somewhere else. The local community has been closely involved with the team’s development from the beginning. Fans even selected the name, with Catfish beating out Bluebirds and Steamboats in an online poll. Team officials were adamant that the team’s name and mascot would reflect some aspect of the Cape Girardeau area.

Many of the team’s staff members are well-known throughout the local community. Andy Patel, owner of the organization, is a respected businessman. In addition to the Catfish and several restaurants, he operates Dogwood Social House. General Manager Mark Hogan is the most successful baseball coach in Southeast Missouri State University’s history. And Cindy Gannon, assistant general manager, has been involved in Southeast athletics for decades.

Catfish team members come from around the country. They’re all college players recommended by their coaches for their skills and potential. And they’ve got a busy summer ahead, with more than 50 games between the end of May and early August. While they play for the team, these athletes become part of the Cape Girardeau community – spending the summer with local host families.

The Cape Catfish team is part of the Prospect League – a collegiate wood bat organization. The Prospect League is designed to provide an opportunity for players to become familiar with using a wood bat like the ones used in Major League Baseball (MLB). Scouts for the MLB often attend Prospect League games to observe the talent. The organization boasts a long list of more than 175 players who were later drafted to the MLB.

This June, the Catfish will officially make Capaha Park their home. There’s been a lot of updates in preparation for the 2019 season, like chairs being added in the section behind home plate. There’s also a party deck and Catfish Alley with food trucks, along with a Kids Zone to keep the youngest fans engaged.

The Cape Catfish are sure to make a splash this season, and we’re looking forward to watching their rise to success. The first home game is June 4. To purchase tickets for it or any other Catfish games, click here.