It may not feel like it but baseball season is upon us and we couldn’t be happier.
Maybe you’re wondering why I’m discussing baseball on Let’s Talk Business. It is because several local baseball teams affect our tourism industry. And the addition of a new one could have a great impact. Let me explain.
The SEMO Redhawks are already playing as the university baseball season began in February. The Redhawks host OVC teams and others throughout the south and Midwest resulting not only in the revenue realized from the teams and associated personnel, but also from the friends and relatives of those players. These dollars boost our hotel, restaurant, gas, and retail revenues.
The Capahas are a national treasure. They now play in the Mon-Clair League and host teams from St. Louis, Fairview Heights, Valmeyer, Bellevue, and Waterloo to name a few. Again, each of these teams brings a contingent following.
And finally, we have the excitement of the brand new Prospect League Team, the Cape Catfish. The Fish will host teams from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. They will play a 60 game schedule from the end of May to the beginning of August with 30 of those games at Capaha Field. Prospect League games are regularly visited by friends, family, and even Major League Baseball scouts.
Yes, we are excited about our local teams and the fun of the game. But we are also very excited about the business they bring to the region.
