Catfish, Jackson Tribe collaboration shines bright in full-circle finish

The Cape Catfish and Jackson Tribe came together on Wednesday to create a night to remember for countless children throughout the Tribe system.

Between throwing out first pitches, circling the basepath before the game and taking a few final photos with alumni of the Tribe program, the Catfish welcomed in dozens of local youth athletes on Wednesday for their 8-7 victory against the Jackson Rockabillys.

“It's a big event for our community, for our Tribe program to come out here,” Tribe’s Bryan Austin said. “Especially when you know that we have two current guys who played in the organization that are on the Catfish and three Jackson guys total.”

Jackson’s Caden Bogenpohl and Quinton Borders both played in the Tribe program from an early age, helping lift the program from its infancy and now playing at the next level in front of the new generation of Tribe athletes.

Bogenpohl’s pinch-hit, one-out double in the bottom of the ninth inning put him in scoring position, with the run eventually coming around to score to walk it off.

“I was ready the whole game,” Bogenpohl said. “I didn't know if I was gonna be in relief with the bat, but it being Tribe Night and having all these kids out here saying my name, it’s a cool spot to be in and come through in.”

With the Tribe program in the spotlight and alumni of the program performing at the next level, the program continues to gain momentum and has established a foothold in the area as well as further regionally.

The program is currently home to almost 200 players, ranging from the 7u age group all the way to 18u. With the goal of making better ballplayers, Tribe has served as a proving ground for many local athletes both before and during high school.

“We're really trying to make Tribe almost like a feeder program for the high school team,” Catfish and Jackson assistant coach Jason Chavez said. “Getting to have Bogenpohl and Borders on the field and then having these kids come out here and see them playing – it's one of those things where they get excited for their hometown guys.

“Hopefully they can follow in their footsteps and compete at a high level as well.”