Cougars Preview Homestand
August 15, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars, Class-A farm team of the Chicago Cubs, open a seven-game homestand on Saturday against the Clinton LumberKings (Seattle Mariners farm team) and the Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics farm team). Homestand highlights include two nights with post-game fireworks shows, the final Thirsty Thursday of the season on August 22 and a Pierce Johnson travel mug giveaway on August 23. Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or visiting kccougars.com.
Saturday 8/17 Clinton LumberKings (Seattle Mariners farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 4:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Cougars baseball caps for the first 1,500 fans, courtesy of United Healthcare
- Pre-game performance by the Oswego East HS Marching Band
- Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players at 5:55 p.m.
- National Anthem - Naperville Men's Glee Club
- Color Guard - Cub Scout Pack 202 (Lombard)
- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by Q Center (St. Charles)
- Post-game performance by the Jesse White Tumblers
- Post-game fireworks show
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Sunday 8/18 Clinton LumberKings 1 p.m. (gates open at 11:30 a.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (12:45 p.m.)
- Kids Eat Free Day - all kids between the age of 3 and 10 will receive a voucher at the gates for a free hot dog and small soda
- Sunday Funday - free kid-friendly entertainment inside the ballpark sponsored by Dave and Buster's
- Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players at 12:25
- Foam Claws for the first 1,500 fans, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank
- Pre-game performance by A-Factor Dance Company
- Color Guard - Cub Scout Pack 5
- National Anthem - Glen Singer
- Live organ music by Nancy Faust
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Monday 8/19 Clinton LumberKings 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:15 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Half-Price Monday sponsored by Meijer: $5 reserved seat tickets
- Pre-game youth baseball and softball parade
- National Anthem - Misty River Music Makers (Geneva)
- God Bless America- performed by Misty River Music Makers
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Tuesday 8/20 Clinton LumberKings 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- National Anthem - Choral Aires Chorus (Hoffman Estates)
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Wednesday 8/21 Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:15 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Bark in the Park, presented by Pet Supplies Plus
- Bandanas for the first 250 dogs, courtesy of Pet Supplies Plus
- Pre-game dog parade at 5:50 p.m.
- National Anthem - Trinity Lutheran Church (Downers Grove)
- Appearance by the Fly Dogs
- Pre-game check presentation with Tales Humane Society and Animal House Shelter for July 50/50 proceeds
- Lucky seat prizes and contests for dogs throughout the evening
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Thursday 8/22 Beloit Snappers 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Thirsty Thursday - $1 select beers, sodas and hot dogs from 5:30-8 p.m. presented by Miller Lite
- Pre-game performance by the West Aurora HS Marching Blackhawk Band
- National Anthem - Annie O'Malley
- Ceremonial first pitch by Cubs Hall-of-Famer Billy Williams
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Friday 8/23 Beloit Snappers 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:15 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Pierce Johnson travel mugs for the first 1,500 fans, courtesy of Nissan
- Color Guard - St. Charles Amvets
- National Anthem - Anastasia Gelardi
- In-game entertainment by Birdzerk
- Take Me out to the Ballgame - led by Foundation Wealth Strategies
- Post-game fireworks show
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Lending a hand: The Cougars will welcome representatives from Tales Humane Society and Animal House Shelter for a pre-game check presentation on Wednesday, August 21. Both organizations are recipients of the 50/50 charity proceeds from the month of July, along with a charitable contribution from the Cougars organization. The final Bark in the Park theme night of the season will be that evening. Presented by Pet Supplies Plus, the evening includes free lawn admission for dogs, a pre-game dog parade at 5:50 p.m. and several lucky seat prizes with valuable prize packs from Pet Supplies Plus. Pet Supplies Plus will also hand out dog bandanas for the first 250 dogs and all fans, along with their dogs, can run the bases after the game.
Welcoming a legend: Cubs Hall-of-Famer Billy Williams will make an appearance at Thursday evening's game. Williams, who will be part of a private networking event held on the upper deck level, will throw a ceremonial first pitch before the game that evening. Williams was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987 and has his #26 jersey number retired by the Cubs.
Give it away: The first 1,500 fans attending Saturday's 8/17 game will receive a Cougars baseball cap, courtesy of United Healthcare. Foam claws will be handed out to the first 1,500 fans on Sunday 8/18, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank. Nissan is sponsoring Friday's 8/23 giveaway, when the first 1,500 fans will receive a Pierce Johnson travel mug.
Weekly specials: Thursday's August 22 game is a Thirsty Thursday, presented by Miller Lite, with $1 select beers, small sodas and hot dogs available from when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. and continuing until 8 p.m. Sunday's August 18 game is a Kids Eat Free Day with a free hot dog and soda voucher given to children age 3-10. Monday's August 22 game is a Half-Price Monday with $5 reserved seat tickets.
The Cougars (48-68, 18-32) are currently playing a three-game series at Burlington. Entering play this evening, the Cougars are 7.5 games behind Peoria for the final Western Division playoff spot. The season concludes on Monday, September 2 and only 19 games remain. Infielder Jeimer Candelario is tied for 2nd in the Midwest League with 31 doubles, and is 2 doubles away from entering the franchise's top 10 list for most doubles in a season. Four Cougars players have 40 or more RBI: Rock Shoulders (62), Candelario (48), Oliver Zapata (42) and Willson Contreras (41). Cubs 2013 2nd round pick Rob Zastryzny made his Cougars debut last week, pitching 3 scoreless innings. Pitcher Starling Peralta has a 1.42 ERA in 4 appearances, 3 of which were starts. Infielder Dan Vogelbach, who was promoted to Class-A Advanced Daytona earlier this week, hit a home run in his first game with Daytona on Tuesday. Daytona pitcher Pierce Johnson, who spent the first half of the season with Kane County, is 5-1 with a 2.16 ERA.
Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera ('01) is batting .360 with 38 home runs and 114 RBI. Cabrera has recorded 100 or RBI in 10 consecutive seasons and is on pace to surpass his single-season best for batting average. Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Adrian Gonzalez ('01) is batting .298 with 16 home runs and 76 RBI. Boston pitcher Andrew Bailey ('07) has made 30 appearances. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ronald Belisario ('02) has made 60 relief appearances, Minnesota pitcher Jared Burton ('03) has made 55 relief appearances and Miami pitcher Ryan Webb ('05) has made 49 relief appearances. Pittsburgh pitcher A.J. Burnett ('98) has struck out 149 batters. Teammate Vin Mazzaro ('06) has a 2.65 ERA in 40 relief appearances. Washington rookie pitcher Ian Krol ('10) has made 24 appearances and holds a 2.91 ERA. Oakland pitcher Dan Straily ('10) is 6-6 with a 4.19 ERA.
Pitcher Dontrelle Willis ('02) pitched six scoreless innings in his debut with Triple-A Salt Lake (Los Angeles Angels). Pitcher Yordano Ventura ('11) is 5-3 with a 3.26 ERA at Triple-A Omaha (Kansas City) and teammate Brian Fletcher ('11) is batting .261 through 16 games. Outfielder Lane Adams ('11-'12) had a 3-home run, 7 RBI game at Double-A Northwest Arkansas (Kansas City) on Tuesday. Teammate Kyle Zimmer ('12) is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 4 starts. Pitcher Kyle Smith ('12) fired a complete game 2-hitter for Class-A Advanced Lancaster (Houston) on August 10. Catcher Max Stassi ('10) is batting .274 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI for Double-A Corpus Christi (Houston). Pitcher Travis Banwart ('07-'08) is 8-5 at Triple-A Sacramento (Oakland) while teammate Michael Choice ('10) is batting .300 with 14 home runs and 78 RBI.
Where's Ozzie? Ozzie T. Cougar is scheduled to make upcoming appearances in the community at the following locations:
Saturday, September 7 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. - DuPage PADS event (Wheaton)
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