Catfish seeking 'a little fun' with creation of rivalry series

Cape Catfish catcher Landon Godsey tags out a runner during a recent game against the Alton River Dragons at Capaha Field.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

The Thrillville Thrillbillies picked a poor time to commence a rivalry with the Cape Catfish.

Despite the fact that Cape (19-4) has lost two games in a row, it is off to the best start in Prospect League history.

“This is one of those things where when you are in it every night,” first-year Catfish infielder Kevin McCarthy explained of the team’s success, “it doesn’t feel as crazy. But every now and then, I’ll be driving and think ‘We’re doing really well.’

“But it isn’t surprising. This is a really good team.”

The Catfish will try to snap its brief (and rare) skid tonight against the Thrillbillies at 6:45 p.m. in Marion, Ill. at Marion Stadium., and not only will a step closer to clinching the first half crown of the Prairie Land Division be at stake, but a little bit of bragging rights will be fought for, as well.

The Thrillbillies and Catfish, who are a mere 57 miles apart, are going to kick off a three-game rivalry series, played over the next 72 hours, with the winner of the series receiving a trophy for its efforts and execution.

“We play them 12 times,” Catfish President and Director Glenn Campbell explained, “but we’re playing them three games in a row, let’s do a little ‘Battle of the Border” kind of deal.”

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The Cape Catfish lost its third game in 22 outings this summer on Saturday, as it fell to Alton 5-1 at Capaha Field in front of 677 fans. The defeat proved that, yes, it is possible for the Catfish to lose a game, though it is an extreme rarity.

The teams have already played five times, with Cape winning all five outings. However, the series will be played out tonight, Thursday (at Capaha Field, 6:35 p.m.), and back at Marion on Friday (6:45 p.m.). The team that claims a couple of games receives the trophy, which will be presented on the diamond following the second victory.

“’This is some rivalry,’” Thrillbillies manager Ralph Santana told Campbell, “’You’ve beaten us five straight times.’ “We’re hot, but you never know.”

Actually, the Catfish have looked, well, beatable, of late.

The Catfish lost 5-1 to the Alton River Dragons on Saturday at Capaha Field, before falling to the hottest team in the Prospect League (Danville, Ill.) 13-5 on Sunday.

“We’re excited about (the series),” Campbell said. “They’re excited about it.”

The Thrillbillies (11-11) are just one-half game out of second place in the Prairie Land Division, as they trail O’Fallon (12-11), and the baseball fans of Southern Illinois have gotten behind the club.

When the two teams played in Marion a week ago, Thrillville drew nearly 2,600 fans to Marion Stadium on a Tuesday night.

The night before at Capaha Field, “about 50-60 of their fans,” according to Campbell came to Cape Girardeau to watch their favorite team compete.

“It was awesome,” Campbell said. “They had a big group up there (on the hill overlooking the ball diamond).

“That is what we’re trying to get.”

Any season-ticket holder – of either club – receives free admission to the opposing ballpark this week.

“We’re trying to get a little rivalry,” Campbell said, “a little fun going.”

On Thursday at Capaha, area brewery, Many Good Things, will provide craft beers during the game to fans 21 and over, with a paid admission ticket.

In addition, Wat’s Knots Pretzels will also be at Capaha serving their products.