CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -

The owners of the Prospect League team unveiled three name and logo options for Cape Girardeau's new collegiate wooden bat team on Tuesday, April 24.

These options will be put to a vote by the community so that local residents can have a part in the movement.

One option is the Cape Bluebirds. The Eastern Bluebird is the state bird of Missouri, and it's pretty exterior hides a territorial bird with a voracious appetite. Bluebirds are frequently seen in the area.

Another option is the Cape Catfish. Missouri's state fish is the Channel Catfish, and several species of catfish inhabit the area lakes and rivers, including the Mississippi River that is such a big part of our community. Catfish are popular sport fish, known to be fierce fighters.

The final option is the Cape Steamboats. Steamboats were an integral part of Cape Girardeau's early economy, and they are woven into the history of our community.

Cast your vote here through Tuesday, May 1.

The team's inaugural season will begin in Spring 2019.

Owners of the team include: Anand “Andy” Patel, Principal of Apple IG and local businessman; James Limbaugh, Executive Vice President of Montgomery Bank; and Mark Hogan, retired Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach. Hogan will serve as General Manager of the team.

"We are excited to invite the community to be a part of our team's facility," said Mark Hogan, general manager. "We've spent the last three months researching names, and we've narrowed it down to three name and logo combinations."

Capaha park will serve as the team's field.

A week prior, the Cape Girardeau City Council voted to improve Capaha Park baseball field to prepare for the new team. This funding is in addition to the investment made by the team.

The Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks and Cape Girardeau Capahas will also benefit from the improved field.

Planned upgrades include new seating, a new concessions area, fencing and a picnic zone.

The Prospect League is a collegiate summer baseball league in the Midwest with 12 teams in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Players are selected from National Collegiate Athletic Association players selected by Prospect League coaches seen as having the potential to play professional baseball.

The team name and logo will be decided on May 4.

Copyright 2018 KFVS. All rights reserved - Posted with permission of KFVS