MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: July 9-11

Published on July 6, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA - The Kane County Cougars, Class-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, kick off a three-game series this Saturday against the Burlington Bees, an Oakland A's affiliate. Events scheduled for the homestand include pre-game autograph sessions on Saturday and Sunday, a fireworks show set to music from a Chicago band following Saturdays' game, the Cougars' popular Sunday Funday attractions, and ½ price reserved seat and lawn tickets for Monday's game. Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or www.kccougars.com.

Saturday 7/9 Burlington Bees (Oakland A's farm team) 6 p.m. (gates open at 4 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (5:45 p.m.)

- Pre-game autograph session at 5:30 p.m.

- On-field check presentation with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago

- National Anthem - Westminster Presbyterian Church (Aurora)

- Post-game performance by Quick Change

- Post-game fireworks show (Wilco theme)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Sunday 7/10 Burlington Bees 1 p.m. (gates open at 12 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (12:45 p.m.)

- Sunday Funday - free kid-friendly activities inside the ballpark, sponsored by Dave and Buster's

- Pre-game autograph session at 12:30 p.m.

- National Anthem - David Wubbena

- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by St. John's UCC

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Monday 7/11 Burlington Bees 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Half-price reserved seat and lawn tickets

- Pre-game performance by Indian Trail Junior High Summer Band

- National Anthem - Indian Trail Junior High Summer Band (Addison)

- Baseball Buddies - Oswego Phillies

- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by Citation Connect

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Homestand Notes

Wilco fireworks show set for Saturday: The Cougars' post-game fireworks show on Saturday will be choreographed to recorded music by Chicago-area band Wilco. Wilco was formed in 1994 by lead singer Jeff Tweedy and the band blends a mix of alternative rock, country and Americana to form a unique sound that earned the group a pair of Grammy Awards in 2005. The Cougars will pay homage to the music of Coldplay later this month on July 28.

Sunday Funday to feature LegoLand: Sunday Funday on July 10 will include various attractions from LegoLand, who will be on hand that afternoon. Sunday Fundays are sponsored by Dave and Buster's and feature free, kid-friendly activities held inside the ballpark beginning at noon. In addition to LegoLand, this Sunday's attractions will include a craft station, face painters, balloon artists and more. Remaining Sunday Funday dates include July 17, August 7 and August 28.

Ballroom dance meets magic...you've got Quick Change : The Cougars welcome back Quick Change, who will perform following Saturday's game. With appearances on NBC's America's Got Talent, ESPN and more, Quick Change has become the #1 Halftime Show in the NBA. Fans can view the 2010 performance of Quick Change at Elfstrom Stadium by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2xDODyzVxk.

More theme nights coming in July: Fresh off a successful Harry Potter Night on July 1, the Cougars are welcoming fans to take part in three more theme nights scheduled for the remainder of July. Fans can visit kccougars.com for a complete promotional calendar, or to download a theme night flyer for any of the remaining theme nights this season.

Super Heroes Night - July 15. The Cougars' Super Heroes Night on July 15 will include a pre-game costume parade, an appearance by Captain America, various Super Hero contests and a post-game fireworks show set to Super Hero music. We'll also be awarding real-life Super Heroes in the community.

Ozzie's Birthday - July 28. Ozzie will be welcoming some of his favorite mascot friends throughout Chicagoland as part of the 6:30 p.m. game on July 28.

Christmas in July - July 29. Do you hear what I hear? Christmas comes early this season as the Cougars celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. The winter wonderland at Elfstrom Stadium includes a Christmas dinner inside the Super Suite, an "Ugliest Sweater Contest" and other surprises. Fans can also enjoy a post-game Christmas-themed fireworks show!

Real-life super heroes needed: As part of the Cougars' Super Heroes Night on Friday, July 15, Cougars fans are asked to submit nominations of their favorite real-life Super Hero in the community. Email ozzie@kanecountycougars.com in 200 words or less the nomination of a real-life super hero in Chicagoland that has left a lasting impression. Fans are asked to provide their own contact information (phone and email), and submit just one entry per person. Deadline for all entries is at noon on Monday, July 11. Entries can be of a teacher, medical professional, parent, or anyone that stands out in the Chicagoland community. The Cougars will award some of the best stories on the field prior to Super Heroes Night on July 15.

Lending a hand: The Cougars will welcome representatives from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago to Elfstrom Stadium on Saturday for an on-field check presentation and recognition. Proceeds from June's 50/50 raffle and Pitch in for Charity events will be donated to the organization, which is dedicated to promoting prostate cancer awareness, early detection, and to ensure that all treatment options, including no treatment, are made available to patients. Last month, the Cougars awarded $4,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Chicago. Charitable initiatives with which the Cougars are partnering later this season are Misericordia Home for the month of July, and the Glaucoma Research Foundation in August.

Team Notes

The Cougars (8-4) have opened the season's second half of play in strong fashion and currently lead the Midwest League's Western Division by one game over Beloit. Despite losing the homestand finale yesterday afternoon, the Cougars won a three-game set over the Quad Cities River Bandits and open a three-game series in Appleton, Wisconsin against the Timber Rattlers this evening. Infielder Orlando Calixte hit his first professional home run in Tuesday's game. Another infielder, Cheslor Cuthbert has hit safely in 20 of 23 games as a Cougar. Catcher Travis Jones has hit safely in 16 of his last 19 games. Outfielder Brian Fletcher leads the team in several major offensive categories including batting average (.327), home runs (six) and RBI (31). Pitcher Greg Billo leads the league with a 1.49 ERA. Infielder Ryan Stovall was promoted to Class-A Advanced Wilmington on June 30, and pitcher Nick Rogers was added from Burlington. Stovall became the fourth Cougar to receive a promotion to Wilmington this season (Gerard Hall, Steven Caseres, Dusty Odenbach) and left Kane County with eight home runs and 31 RBI. The Cougars received another new player within the past week in catcher Kevin David, who joined the team on July 4.

Alumni News: Next week's Major League All-Star Game will include three former Cougars, and possibly a fourth. Infielders Miguel Cabrera ('01), Adrian Gonzalez ('01) and pitcher Josh Beckett ('00) have been named to the American League roster. A fourth Cougars alumnus, Andre Ethier ('03) is one of five National Leaguers who will lean on fan voting to possibly make the All-Star roster. Cougars fans can take part in the "Final Vote" process by visiting mlb.com. This is the 15th straight season in which at least one former Cougars player has been part of a Major League All-Star Game, dating back to 1997. Oakland infielder Jemile Weeks ('08) was named American League Co-Rookie of the Month, along with another former Midwest Leaguer in Minnesota outfielder Ben Revere. Through 26 games, Weeks is batting .307. Jermaine Mitchell ('07) received a promotion to Triple-A Sacramento (A's) and is batting .357 with the River Cats through three games. Michael Choice ('10) has five home runs in the last seven games, and his 21 round trippers this season are tied for fifth-best in all of Minor League Baseball. (statistics through games played on July 5)

Where's Ozzie? Ozzie T. Cougar is scheduled to make upcoming appearances in the community at the following locations:

Saturday, July 9 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. - Taste of Westmont

Wednesday, July 13 at 11:30 a.m. - Chicago Sky Mascot Game

Friday, July 15 from 11-Noon - Delnor Wellness Center (Geneva)

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 6, 2011


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