GENEVA, IL - Embarking on their 20th season of Major League-affiliated baseball, the Kane County Cougars have released their 2010 game schedule.The Cougars open the season on Thursday, April 8 against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at 6:35 p.m. Upon the conclusion of the season-opening three-game set in Appleton, the first of 70 Cougars home games at Elfstrom Stadium is set for Sunday, April 11 at 1 p.m. The weekend opener is the first such occurrence for the franchise since 2002. Fans that afternoon can take part in a pre-game autograph session on the field with Cougars players. The long-tenured Cougars tradition of fan interaction will be a staple again next season with pre-game autograph sessions planned for all home weekends throughout the 2010 season. Popular among young and not-so-young fans, running the bases is back this season as every fan can take a lap around the bases following each home game in 2010.
New in 2010 will be Sunday brunches at the ballpark, a regular theme for most Sunday afternoon games beginning with Mother's Day on May 9. The all-inclusive ticket to fun at Elfstrom Stadium combines a premier menu prepared by the Cougars' food and beverage staff, along with a game ticket on the Cougars' new upper deck level. Back by popular demand after debuting last season is the Pepsi All-You-Can-Eat picnics. Located on the Pepsi party deck, fans can enjoy an all-you-can-eat spread of food and drink that includes a ticket to the Pepsi Party Deck rooftop patio on Elfstrom Stadium's upper level. This option does not require a minimum amount of attendees, providing an attractive option for smaller groups and families.
Expected to be a popular night for families, particularly those with young Cougars fans, Ozzie's 20th birthday celebration is slated for a Thursday, August 5 bash. That evening, Ozzie will be hosting several mascot friends from around the Chicago area to take part in a celebration of Ozzie's 20th birthday. Fans will have opportunities to take part in an extended-length pre-game autograph and photo session with Ozzie and all of his invited friends.
The Cougars' April and May home schedule features a steady combination of day and evening games, including five noon games in April that will welcome thousands of participating Chicago-area children and schools as part of Ozzie's Reading Club. The first of 23 fireworks nights takes place on Friday, May 14 - a new 7 p.m. first pitch time that will be consistent for all Friday home games from May through September.
Both Mom and Dad will be treated to family-friendly fun on their respective days in 2010 with matinee games slated for Mother's Day (May 9) and Father's Day (June 20). Holiday games at Elfstrom Stadium include Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31), an Independence Day celebration on July 3-4 (6 p.m. games, post-game patriotic fireworks both nights) and Labor Day weekend (September 4-6). The September 6 Labor Day holiday game at 1 p.m. closes out the 2010 regular season.
The Midwest League welcomes two new franchises in 2010, both of which will face the Cougars in June. Kane County makes its first-ever trip to the Bluegrass State June 4-6 for a three-game set against the Bowling Green (KY.) Hot Rods, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The following week, the Cleveland Indians' affiliate Lake County Captains of Eastlake, OH (a suburb of Cleveland) arrive in Geneva for a three-game weekend series June 11-13. Both Lake County and Bowling Green will be making a shift to the Midwest League's Eastern Division from its previous home in the South Atlantic League.
Individual tickets for the 2010 season will go on sale to the general public at Elfstrom Stadium on Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. but fans may pre-order tickets for any regular season game right now at www.kccougars.com , by phone at (630) 232-8811 or at the Cougars' box office during normal business hours Monday-Friday. Fans may also download and print their own 2010 schedule on the Cougars' website. Individual ticket prices will remain the same in 2010, with tickets starting at $8 including free parking. Season tickets and partial-season ticket packages ranging from 5 to 20 games are now on sale for fans. A new ticket package called a 20-game "Pick Your Own" package allows fans the opportunity to choose 20 or more games that best suit their schedule. Among several benefits of being a season ticket or ticket package holder include discounted ticket prices, enjoying the same seats for each game, complimentary Cougars items and access to special hospitality events and parties throughout the year.
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