Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: August 17-19
Published on August 16, 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 homestand beginning Wednesday evening against the Beloit Snappers, a Minnesota Twins affiliate. Homestand highlights include a "Winning Wednesday" for the series opener, post-game fireworks shows on Thursday and Friday, and Country Music Theme Night this Friday. Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or www.kccougars.com.
Wednesday 8/17 Beloit Snappers (Minnesota Twins farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Winning Wednesday - first 1,500 adults age 21 and older receive a scratch-off card eligible for various prizes
- Dog Days of Summer Special: $5 reserved seat tickets
- Pre-game performance by Batavia High School Marching Bulldogs
- National Anthem - Batavia High School Marching Bulldogs
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Thursday 8/18 Beloit Snappers 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Nurses Night -- nurses who present their nursing ID badge at the ticket window that evening will receive a ½ price box, reserved or lawn seat ticket along with family and group members
- Backpacks for the first 1,500 kids age 14 and under, courtesy of Provena Mercy Medical Center
- Pre-game youth soccer parade
- Pre-game performance by Wheaton Warrenville South High School Tiger Marching Band
- National Anthem - Wheaton Warrenville South High School Tiger Marching Band
- Color Guard - Oswego Fire Department
- In-game entertainment by Birdzerk
- Post-game fireworks show (Popular Music)
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Friday 8/19 Beloit Snappers 7 p.m. (gates open at 6 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:45 p.m.)
- Country Music Theme Night
- Pre-game concert by Haymarket Riot
- Color Guard - Cub Scout Pack 202
- National Anthem - St. John UCC, Naperville
- Post-game fireworks show (Country music theme)
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Homestand Notes
We've gone country: The Cougars will celebrate Country Music Theme Night as part of this Friday's 7 p.m. game. Haymarket Riot will perform on the field beginning at 6 p.m. before the game. Fans can arrive early for live music and enjoy several in-game country-related contests during the between-innings breaks. A post-game country music-themed fireworks show will take place after the final out.
Marching into Elfstrom Stadium: The Cougars will welcome a pair of local high school marching bands this homestand. The Batavia High School Marching Bulldogs will perform at 6:15 p.m. before this Wednesday's game, as well as performing the National Anthem. Thursday's game will include a pre-game performance, including a rendition of the National Anthem, by the Wheaton Warrenville South High School Tiger Marching Band.
Spend a little, save a lot: Fans can save some money by taking in a Cougars game this homestand. The August 17 game features $5 reserved seat tickets. Also that evening, the first 1,500 fans age 21 and older attending the game will receive a scratch-off card that is eligible for various prizes, including $1,000. The Cougars awarded one lucky fan a $1,000 payoff at the most recent "Winning Wednesday" on August 10. Later this month, The Monday, August 29 game is a 1/2 price ticket night with $5 reserved seat tickets and $4 lawn tickets. And on Tuesday, August 30, fans can enjoy $5 reserved seat tickets and $2 concessions items including hot dogs, small sodas, small domestic draft beers and a selected ice cream novelty.
Nurses Night: In conjunction with Provena Mercy Medical Center of Aurora's "100 Days to Hire Special Nurses", the Cougars will be hosting a series of events for Nurses Night this Thursday. All nurses who present their nursing ID badge at the ticket window that evening will receive a ½ price box, reserved or lawn seat ticket along with family and group members as well. PMMC will provide various health screenings on the concourse and nurses in attendance will be eligible for various prizes and giveaways that night.
Team Notes
The Cougars (30-20) are in the driver's seat for a Midwest League playoff berth, which would be their 13th in 21 seasons. With 20 games remaining in the regular season, the Cougars hold a three-game lead over Clinton for the Western Division's top second half playoff spot and a seven-game lead over Beloit for the second half wild card berth. The Cougars must go 12-8 over the rest of the regular season to finish with a winning overall record. Outfielder Brett Eibner has slugged 11 home runs in 56 games. Catcher Travis Jones re-joined the team from Class-A Advanced Wilmington on August 14. Pitcher Greg Billo continues to lead all of Minor League Baseball in ERA with a 1.40 mark. Pitcher Leondy Perez has won his last four starts and is 2nd in the Midwest League with 134.1 innings pitched. Outfielder Brian Fletcher has 7 RBI in his last 10 games and is batting .342 in that span.
Alumni News: Dodgers infielder Justin Sellers ('06) became the 113th former Cougar to reach the Major Leagues on Friday evening. The former Cougar recorded his first hit on Saturday and his first home run, a three-run shot, on Sunday afternoon. Sellers received a standing ovation, obliged the crowd with a curtain call and received a shaving cream pie to the face during a post-game interview. Sellers becomes the second former Cougar to make his MLB debut this season, joining '08 Cougar Jemile Weeks, who debuted with Oakland in June. Sellers also becomes the fifth member of the Cougars' 2006 Western Division Championship team to make the big leagues, joining Jeff Baisley, Jeff Gray, Brad Kilby and Vin Mazzaro. Adrian Gonzalez ('01) has relinquished his major league lead in RBI. Gonzo's 92 RBI are third-best behind Ryan Howard and Curtis Granderson. Gonzalez is batting .352 which is a major league best. Oakland pitcher Trevor Cahill ('07) has made 26 starts this season to share a lead with several other big league starters. Cahill is also one win shy from notching 10 or more wins in each of his first three years in the majors. Former Midwest League MVP Jeff Baisley ('06) is batting .311 with 20 home runs and 88 RBI for Triple-A Salt Lake (Angels affiliate). (statistics through games played on August 14)
Where's Ozzie? Ozzie T. Cougar is scheduled to make upcoming appearances in the community at the following locations:
Thursday, August 18 at 6 p.m. - Chicago Fire Mascot Game
Friday, August 19 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. - Pirate's Cove Theme Park (Elk Grove Village)
Saturday, August 20 from 9-11 a.m. - Alexian Brothers Back to School Carnival (South Barrington)
Midwest League Stories from August 16, 2011
- "Night of 100 Promotions" Nominated for Minor League Baseball Award - Kane County Cougars
- Miley to Majors - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Jairo Diaz joins Kernels from Tempe; A.J. Schugel to Inland Empire - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: August 17-19 - Kane County Cougars
- 'Monty' Makes An Impression - Great Lakes Loons
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