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MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Cougars fight for last playoff spot

September 1, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, IL - As the 2005 regular season comes down to the wire, it is neck n' neck between the Kane County Cougars and the Beloit Snappers for the final playoff spot in the Midwest League Western Division. With a climatic four-game set against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) starting tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. and stretching through the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 5, the Cougars will definitely be busy on and off the field this weekend, as the team will host THREE FIREWORKS SHOWS and special guests Myron Noodleman, Skydivers, the ZOOperstars and "Big John" Howell and Ramblin' Ray Stevens of WUSN US99 on behalf of Special Olympics Illinois. Just added to the Cougars charitable efforts for the four days, the team will be raising funds for the Chicago Bulls' Chris Duhon's Hurricane Relief fund through the Stand Tall Foundation.

"First and foremost, our hearts go out to the families and loved ones that are currently dealing with Hurricane Katrina's aftermath," Cougars general manager Jeff Sedivy shares. "We understand that this is something that will affect everyone and that no contribution can be too small. I felt this was the right course of action to take, on behalf of the Cougars and our fans, in offering assistance because I was impressed by Chris's immediate initiative."

Throughout the entire weekend, the Cougars will be utilizing collection boxes at the stadium's ticket windows and gates to gather monetary donations from fans for the Chris Duhon Hurricane Relief Fund. Supplementing fan contributions, the team will host a nightly 50/50 raffle (Saturday - Monday) to generate dollars as well as donate a portion of ticket sales from tickets sold now through Monday to the Stand Tall Foundation. Fans wishing to contribute are asked to please make checks payable to Stand Tall Foundation.

Playoff Preview:

With five regular season games remaining, the Cougars (34-31, 65-69) are a game and a half out of first place in the Division and one game up on the Snappers (33-32, 66-69). If the Cougars end up tied with the Snappers, in head to head competition, the tie breaker falls with Beloit whom holds a 9-7 record against Kane County. Currently on the road in the midst of a four-game stint against the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays), the team returns home tomorrow, Friday, September 2 to face the Cedar Rapids Kernels (33-32, 63-72), who are just one game behind the Cougars, for their most critical series of the year.

Based upon the outcome of the final games, the Kane County Cougars could be facing a post-season nod, which means they would begin Round 1 (best-of-three) of the Midwest League Playoffs with Game 1 at Elfstrom Stadium on Wednesday, September 7 at 6:30 p.m. With the opponent yet to be determined between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Western Division First-Half Champions) and the Clinton LumberKings (Western Division First-Half Wildcard), the Cougars will play Game 2 (September 8) and if necessary, Game 3 (September 9) on the road in either Appleton, Wisconsin or Clinton, Iowa.

Should Kane County advance to Round Two (best-of-three), home field advantage for the face-off will be established by which team in the Division Championship match-up held the best record during the regular season. If the Cougars do not hold the better record, the set will begin in Kane County on Saturday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. and continue on the road for Games 2 and 3. If Kane County holds the higher ranking, the series will begin on the road and return to Geneva for Game 2 on Sunday, September 11 and Game 3, if necessary, on Monday, September 12, both games scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Home field advantage for the Championship Round rotates each post-season between the Eastern and Western Division, this year falling with the Western Division. If the Cougars appear in the Final Round, they would face the Eastern Division Champion in a best-of-five series starting on the road with Games 1 and 2 and play at home for Game 3 and if needed, Games 4 and 5. All games during the Championship Round at Elfstrom Stadium will begin at 6:30 p.m.

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