MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: July 11-16

Published on July 9, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA - The Kane County Cougars, Class-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, open a six-game homestand on Wednesday against the South Bend Silver Hawks (an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate) and the West Michigan Whitecaps (a Detroit Tigers affiliate). The homestand includes "˜80's Night on July 12, Christmas in July on July 13, and three straight nights with post-game fireworks shows. Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or visiting www.kccougars.com.

Wednesday 7/11 South Bend Silver Hawks (Arizona Diamondbacks farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

Weeknight Special - Winning Wednesday Scratch Cards for the first 1,500 adults 21 and over

Pre-game performance by Excel Gymnastics

Honor Guard - Aurora Police Department

Fans can run the bases after the game

Thursday 7/12 South Bend Silver Hawks 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

"˜80's Night

Pre-game concert by Recycle the Day

Baseball caps for the first 1,500 fans, courtesy of the Principal Financial Group

National Anthem - Eisenhower Junior High Summer Band

Post-game fireworks show ("˜80's theme)

Fans can run the bases after the game

Friday 7/13 South Bend Silver Hawks 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:15 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

Christmas in July Theme Night

Pre-game check presentation with Valley Sheltered Workshop

Zoo passes for the first 1,500 fans, courtesy of the Brookfield Zoo

Baseball Buddies - St. Charles Rookie League White Sox

National Anthem - Gary United Methodist Men's Choir

Post-game fireworks show (Christmas theme)

Fans can run the bases after the game

Saturday 7/14 West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 4:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

Ozzie Growth Charts for the first 1,500 children 14 and under, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank

Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players at 6 pm

National Anthem - Lisa DeAngelis

In-game entertainment by David "No Way" Burlet

God Bless America - performed by Jan Jarvis

Post-game fireworks show (Coldplay theme)

Fans can run the bases after the game

Sunday 7/15 West Michigan Whitecaps 5 p.m. (gates open at 4 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (4:45 p.m.)

Sunday Funday - free kid-friendly entertainment inside the ballpark

Live organ music by Nancy Faust

Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players at 4:30 pm

National Anthem - Aakash Rami

In-game entertainment by the Russian Bar Trio

Fans can run the bases after the game

Monday 7/16 West Michigan Whitecaps 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

Weeknight Special - Half-Price Monday ($5 reserved seats and $4 lawn tickets)

National Anthem - Trinity Lutheran Church (Downers Grove)

Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by Yorkville Youth Baseball

Fans can run the bases after the game

Homestand Notes

Let's go back to the "˜80's: The Cougars' popular "Decades Nights" continue this Thursday, July 12 for "˜80's Night. The evening kicks off with a pre-game concert by the band Recycle the Day. Various in-game contests will reflect the "˜80's theme, including a "Name That Year" scavenger hunt around the ballpark. Following the game, the fireworks show will be set to music from the "˜80's.

Christmastime? The Cougars' Christmas in July Theme Night is set for Friday, July 13. The 6:30 p.m. game that evening will include a guest appearance by Santa Claus and a variety of in-game contests to celebrate the theme, despite the unseasonably warm Chicago temperatures earlier this month. Fans are encouraged to donate a new unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item that evening as well, for the less fortunate in Chicagoland. The Cougars will close the evening with a Christmas-themed fireworks show.

Lending a hand: The Cougars will welcome representatives from Valley Sheltered Workshop on Friday, July 13, to receive a check from last month's charitable in-game promotions held by the Cougars. Located in Batavia, VSW is a workshop for adults with developmental challenges. The Cougars are partnering with Misericordia for the month of July. Misericordia, located in Chicago, is recognized as one of the nation's leading communities for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Distinguished by its network of services and a continuum of care model, Misericordia supports 600 children and adults from diverse ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, with disabilities ranging from mild or moderate to severe and profound. Programs include residential options, job training and placement, an array of therapies, fitness and health guidance, social and recreational activities, and opportunities for spiritual growth.

New entertainment: The Cougars welcome David "No Way" Burlet and the Russian Bar Trio to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark this homestand, for their Cougars debuts. Burlet will perform between innings on Saturday, July 14, and the Russian Bar Trio will do the same on Sunday, July 15.

Team News: Entering play on Monday, the Cougars share a first place tie in the Western Division with three other teams. Their overall record is 44-43; the club has had a .500 or better 2nd half record for 12 of the past 13 seasons. Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio recorded his 100th base hit of the season on Friday and is in pace to break the franchise record for most hits in a season, held by Willy Hill (162 hits in 1999). Bonifacio's 7 home runs and 49 RBI lead the club as well. Pitcher Angel Baez picked up his third straight win Saturday night at Wisconsin, and has allowed just one earned run over those three starts. Baez was named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week on Monday after going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA last week. Pitcher Aaron Brooks matched a season high by working 7 innings in Friday night's loss against Quad Cities.

Alumni News: Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera ('01) closed the first half with 71 RBI, good for 2nd in the American League. Cabrera's 111 hits are tied with Derek Jeter for tops in the A.L, and his .324 batting average is 6th best in the A.L. Cabrera is on pace to record his 9th straight season with 100 or more RBI. Minnesota outfielder Josh Willingham ('00-'01) is on pace to smash a single-season high for home runs in a season. Willingham is currently at 19 round trippers and his season-best is 29. Minnesota pitcher Jeff Gray ('06) is a perfect 5-0 this season. Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster ('96) continues to lower his ERA and is now at 1.99 after picking up the win on Sunday against Atlanta. San Francisco pitcher Santiago Casilla ('03-'04) finished the first half with 21 saves, 3rd best in the National League. Pittsburgh pitcher A.J. Burnett ('98) is 10-2 with a 3.68 ERA. Burnett has won 10 or more games for the 10th time in his career, but has never won 20 or more games in a single season. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier ('03) is on pace for 100 or more RBI for the 2nd time in his career; former Cougars teammate and current Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz ('03) is on pace for 100 or more RBI for the first time in his career.

Outfielder Lane Adams, who was promoted from the Cougars to Class-A Advanced Wilmington after the Midwest League All-Star Game, has 4 home runs in 16 games. Royals' 2011 first round pick Bubba Starling hit a pair of home runs on July 2 for Burlington (Rookie League). Pitcher Yordano Ventura ('11) of High-A Wilmington started for the World squad in yesterday's SiriusXM MLB All-Star Futures Game, pitching a scoreless opening inning. Outfielder Michael Choice ('10) of Double-A Midland (Oakland) went 0-for-2 for the U.S. squad. Pitcher Bo Schultz ('10) went 4-2 for High-A Visalia (Arizona) during the season's first half and posted 11 saves. Pitcher Justin Friend ('08) of Triple-A Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia) picked up his first Triple-A save on July 3. Pitcher Mickey Storey ('09) is 7-2 with a 3.23 ERA at Triple-A Oklahoma City (Houston). Pitcher Dan Straily of Triple-A Sacramento (Oakland) is 3-1 with a 1.04 ERA for the River Cats.

(statistics through games played on 7/8)

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

Wednesday, July 11 at 9:30 a.m. - Chicago Sky Mascot Game

Sunday, July 15 at 1 p.m. - Arlington Park Mascot Race

Saturday, July 21 from 2-3 p.m. - Cantigny Rockin' For the Troops (Wheaton)

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 9, 2012


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