MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: July 11-14

Published on July 9, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars, Class-A farm team of the Chicago Cubs, open a homestand on Friday and will welcome the Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics affiliate). Homestand highlights include "Christmas in July" on Friday, a pre-game concert by 7th Heaven on Saturday and a Sunday Funday as well. Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or visiting kccougars.com.

Friday 7/11 Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Christmas in July theme night

- Scout Parade

- Guest Appearance by Santa Claus

- Giftmart Toy Drive

- National Anthem - Whitney West

- Post-game fireworks show (Christmas theme)

- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by Gary D. Wright Elementary (Hampshire)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Saturday 7/12 Beloit Snappers 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 3:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Pre-game concert by 7th Heaven from 4-5:30 p.m.

- Baseball caps for the first 1,500 fans courtesy of Athletico

- National Anthem - Tony Gordon

- Post-game performance by the Jesse White Tumblers

- Post-game fireworks show (Popular music theme)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Sunday 7/13 Beloit Snappers 1 p.m. Doubleheader (gates open at 12 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (12:45 p.m.)

- Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players at 12:25 p.m.

- Live organ music by Nancy Faust

- 2013-14 Ozzie Scholar recognition

- Pre-game performance by A-Factor Dance

- Sunday Funday - free kid-friendly entertainment inside the ballpark presented by Dave & Buster's

- Kids Eat Free Day - hot dog/soda voucher for children between age 3-10

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

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

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Monday 7/14 Beloit Snappers 12 p.m. (gates open at 11 a.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (11:45 a.m.)

- Pre-game Day Camp Parade

- Ozzie removable tattoos for the first 1,500 children age 14 and under

- Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players

- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by Follett

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Homestand Notes The upcoming homestand kicks off on Friday with Christmas in July. Fans can receive a free undated ticket voucher by donating a new, unwrapped toy for elementary-aged children. Fans can donate this week at the Cougars' administrative office or donate in person outside the Cougars' Gate 1 entrance Friday evening. All donated toys will be given to Giftmart, which has operated at elementary schools in east Aurora, providing the gift of dignity by collecting more than 90,000 toys and selling them at a cost of $2 per toy to parents. Giftmart also paves the way for these communities to provide the gift of education to their children by donating the proceeds back to their schools, resulting in the purchase of much-needed library books, computers, musical instruments and other supplies. Friday's theme night includes a guest appearance by Santa and a Christmas-themed fireworks show. Saturday's action includes a pre-game concert by 7th Heaven. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. for the 90-minute concert which begins at 4 p.m. Fans with tickets for Saturday's game can attend the concert. 7th Heaven, known for their famous "30 songs in 30 minutes" medley of songs from the 70's and 80's, has charted #1 on the Midwest Billboard Charts twice. Saturday's fun also includes a post-game fireworks show and performance by the Jesse White Tumblers. The first 1,500 fans attending Saturday's game will receive a Cougars baseball cap, courtesy of Athletico. Sunday's 1 p.m. game is part of a doubleheader due to the rained out game at Beloit on June 30. Both games will be 7-inning contests in accordance with Midwest League rules. Game 1 will begin at 1 p.m. and fans with tickets for Sunday may attend both games. Sunday is a Kids Eat Free Day with hot dog/soda vouchers given at the gates to all children age 3-10. Fans will enjoy live organ music by Nancy Faust and a pre-game autograph session with Cougars players at approximately 12:25 p.m. The first 1,500 fans attending Sunday's games will receive a zoo pass, courtesy of Brookfield Zoo. Also on Sunday, the Cougars will welcome the 2013-2014 Ozzie's Scholars winners Area students who graduated or currently participate in Ozzie's Reading Club were asked to write an essay on how their involvement in the Cougars' reading incentive program helped further their development.

Team Notes The Cougars lead the Midwest League with a second half record of 13-4 and an overall record of 58-29. The Cougars have already clinched the first half Western Division championship and open a best-of-three opening round series against the Western Division 2nd half wild card winner on September 3. The Cougars hold a 10-game lead over Peoria for the best overall record in the Western Division. Through games played on July 6, Cougars' starting pitcher ERA's are as follows: Paul Blackburn (2.79), Juan Paniagua (2.97), Tyler Skulina (2.88), Daury Torrez (2.89), Jen-Ho Tseng (2.93) and Duane Underwood (2.54). Torrez leads the staff and the league with 9 wins and is attempting to win 10 or more games, which would be the first time for a Cougars pitcher since 2010 when Dan Straily went 10-7. Jacob Rogers leads the team with 54 runs scored and 8 home runs while Jake Hannemann leads the team with 28 stolen bases.

At Triple-A Iowa, pitcher Armando Rivero ('13) is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in 6 appearances. Pitcher Dan Straily ('10) who was part of the Jeff Samardzija trade with Oakland, made his Cubs organizational debut on July 7 with Iowa, going 5 innings and yielding 5 hits and 4 runs (all unearned). At Double-A Tennessee, pitcher Pierce Johnson ('13-'14) recently returned to the Smokies from Kane County and went 7.1 innings in first start back, picking up the win. Pitcher Andrew McKirahan ('13) was recently promoted to Tennessee and has worked 3 relief appearances. At Class-A Advanced Daytona, outfielder Albert Almora ('13) is now batting .279 with 5 home runs and 42 RBI after a current hot streak while infielder Dan Vogelbach ('13) is batting .276 with 8 home runs and 42 RBI. At Short-A Boise, infielder Danny Canela ('14) is batting .310.

A quartet of Cougars alumni were named to the Major League All-Star Game: Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera ('01), Baltimore outfielder Nelson Cruz ('03), Oakland pitcher Sean Doolittle ('07) and San Diego pitcher Tyson Ross ('08). Pitcher Shawn Haviland ('09) is 5-5 with a 3.24 ERA in 15 starts at Double-A Midland (Oakland). Pitcher Paul Smyth ('09) is 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 29 appearances at Triple-A Sacramento (Oakland). Pitcher Kyle Smith ('12) is 3-2 with a 3.65 ERA in 11 appearances (9 starts) at Double-A Corpus Christi (Houston). (Statistics through 7/8)

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

Friday, July 11 from 11 a.m.-Noon - Central Kane County Triad (Geneva)

Saturday, July 12 from 1-2 p.m. - Windmill City Days (Batavia)

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 9, 2014


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