'Fun' is the overriding theme to Catfish home games, opener, in 2023

Recently-hired Cape Catfish President Glenn Campbell was pacing throughout Capaha Field on Saturday with the nervousness of an expecting father in a hospital birthing room.

“We’re all worried about stuff,” Campbell said between handshakes and back-pats with the Catfish fans, “but the fans are having a ball.”

A crowd of over 1,100 gathered on a comfortable Saturday night and several things went awry, but not the truly important things.

Yes, the video board went down (and the ticketing system, and the audio system, and the power), but throughout the ballpark, smiles were in abundance, and by the way, the Catfish routed the Jackson (Tenn.) Rockabillys 13-1 to improve to 3-0 in the young season.

“The Good Lord gave us about a five m.p.h. breeze,” Campbell said, “but the kids are having fun. They’re getting foul balls.

“I just want people to come out and have fun.”

Campbell bought a share of the franchise this past off-season and has taken over the business operations of the club.

What the Cape Girardeau entrepreneur has stressed from Day One is to bring “fun” to the fan experience.

“Fun,” Campbell said, “is what this is. That is the dream is for everyone to come out, bring kids, and have a nice night out.”

As he was race-walking from here to there, back to here, over to there, and back to here for a third time, Campbell took the time to ask a young Catfish fan how he was doing.

“I love this place,” the young fan replied.

“Great,” Campbell beamed. “I want you to love this place.”

“That means the world to me,” Campbell said of the interaction with the young fan. “These kids are running around, and I didn’t realize how many kids came out. They’re going to tell their parents ‘I want to go back.’”

The second home game of this season is tonight at 6:35 p.m. against O’Fallon.

An aspect that Campbell has brought to the club is creativity.

There are countless “in-game promotions” going on each night, which adds to the fun and enjoyment of the crowd, as well as new food and drink options throughout the ballpark.

“If we can get them out, moving, and having fun,” Campbell said. “That’s it.”

The Catfish unveiled a slew of promotional nights throughout the season, beginning with tonight’s celebration of donuts and drinks.

In commemoration of “National Donut Day,” Waves mini donuts will be at the ballpark with their fare.

As well, “Monday Margaritas with Mario” will present Mario's famous recipe frozen or on the rocks in a Catfish souvenir cup.

An entire list of promotions each night can be viewed at www.capecatfish.com.

“We’ve learned a lot tonight,” Campbell said. “I’ve learned a lot tonight. We need to fix a few things, but it is funny, we’re the only ones who know it.”

Catfish roll

Cape (3-0) jumped all over Jackson from the outset by scoring 10 runs in the opening four innings, before ultimately winning in seven innings 13-1.

“I like everything that I have seen,” first-year Catfish manager Scott Little said. “They play hard. They’re little dirtbags and get clutch hits. They don’t try to do too much.”

Second-year Catfish lead-off hitter Chris Hall continued his torrid start with three hits, four RBI, and two runs scored.

Hall has 10 hits through the opening three games.

Jeff Clark added three hits, four RBI, and three runs, while Justin Carinci (two hits, two RBI), Brody Chrisman (three hits, two RBI), Curry Sutherland (one hit, four RBI), Kevin McCarthy (two runs, one walk), and Landon Godsey (two hits, two runs, one walk) also contributed.

A pair of Southeast Missouri State pitchers worked the seven innings on the mound.

Eddie White threw five innings and allowed just one earned run while giving up four hits.

He struck out two batters and didn’t walk any to earn the win.

Alex Esker pitched two innings of relief and gave up two hits and no earned runs while striking out five and walking one.