Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: July 8-13
July 7, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, open a six-game homestand Wednesday evening and welcome the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers affiliate) July 8-9 and the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins affiliate) July 10-13. Homestand highlights include a One Cent Wiener Wednesday on July 8, Frozen Night on July 10, a pre-game concert by Libido Funk Circus on July 11 and three straight games with post-game fireworks shows Thursday-Saturday. Tickets are available for the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or ordering online at kccougars.com.
Wednesday 7/8 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- One Cent Wiener Wednesday - hot dogs for a penny
- Live music by Peter Oprisko
- First Responder Night
- Color Guard - Kane County Chiefs PF Police Honor Guard
- Pre-game check presentation with DuPage Pads
- National Anthem - Peter Oprisko
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Thursday 7/9 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Thirsty Thursday presented by Miller Lite, with $1 select beers and sodas
- National Anthem - LeAnn Thornley
- Post-game fireworks show
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Friday 7/10 Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Frozen Night
- Scout Night
- Guest appearances by Frozen characters Ana, Elsa and Kristoff
- Pre-game Frozen costume parade
- National Anthem - West Towns Chorus
- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by Keller Williams
- Post-game Frozen themed fireworks show
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Saturday 7/11 Cedar Rapids Kernels 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 3:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)
- Pre-game concert by Libido Funk Circus from 4-5:30 PM inside Cougars music garden area
- National Anthem - Penny Roman
- Post-game entertainment by the Jesse White Tumblers
- Post-game fireworks show
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Sunday 7/12 Cedar Rapids Kernels 1 p.m. (gates open at 12 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (12:45 p.m.)
- Sunday Funday presented by Dave and Buster's
- Kids Eat Free Day - free hot dog and soda voucher for all children age 3-10
- Free family-friendly entertainment inside the ballpark
- Live organ music by Nancy Faust
- Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players
- National Anthem - Kecia Waldschmidt
- Color Guard - Cub Scout Pack 42 (Lombard)
- Pre-game performance by A-Factor Dance Company
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Monday 7/13 Cedar Rapids Kernels 12 p.m. (gates open at 11 a.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (11:45 a.m.)
- Day Camp Day
- $5 Monday presented by Meijer - $5 reserved seats
- Seniors Eat Free Day (all seniors receive a hot dog and soda voucher)
- Pre-game day camp parade and autograph session
- Fans can run the bases after the game
Homestand Notes
Frozen Night on Friday: The Cougars' inaugural Frozen Night is set for Friday, July 10 at 6:30 PM. Fans are encouraged to dress in costume and participate in a pre-game costume parade on the field. Frozen characters Elsa, Ana and Kristoff will be in attendance and the evening will close with a Frozen themed fireworks show. A Frozen ice sculpture will also be visible at the ballpark that evening for fans to see. The Frozen Tea Party Package is sold out but great seats remain for the game. Fans can call (630) 232-8811 or order online at kccougars.com.
One Cent Wiener Wednesday returns: The second "One Cent Wiener Wednesday" of the season takes place this Wednesday, July 8 at 6:30 PM as hot dogs are only a penny. There will be a limit of 10 hot dogs per transaction at the Cougars' concessions stands.
First Responders Night: The Cougars will welcome many first responders to the ballpark for Wednesday's 6:30 PM game. Guests of the Cougars will be recognized that evening with several individuals throwing ceremonial first pitches. First responders along with Cougars and Wisconsin players will help unfurl and hold a large American flag during the National Anthem. An emergency helicopter is also expected to make a flyover over the field during the National Anthem.
Live music returns on Saturday: The Cougars will welcome Libido Funk Circus for a 90-minute concert on Saturday, July 11 from 4-5:30 PM. Gates open at 3:30 PM that afternoon as the band will perform in the Music Garden area of the ballpark. Libido Funk Circus is a self-described "human jukebox" covering hundreds of dance and rock songs spanning from the 60's through today. Game time is 6:30 PM and the evening includes a post-game performance by the Jesse White Tumblers along with a fireworks show.
A helping hand: The Cougars will welcome representatives from DuPage Pads to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Wednesday, July 8 for an on-field check presentation and photo. DuPage Pads was the recipient of June's in-game 50/50 raffle proceeds through Ozzie's Outreach Foundation, the Cougars' charitable arm. DuPage Pads (dupagepads.org) has the solution to end homelessness with housing coupled with support services and employment which leads to improved health and economic sustainability.
Team/Alumni Notes
Kane County is currently in first place in the Midwest League's Western Division with a second half record of 10-2. The team has an overall record of 46-34. Cody Regis' .312 batting average is seventh-best in the league. A trio of Cougars starting pitchers rank among the league's top 10 in ERA - Markus Solbach (2.55, 6th), Ethan Elias (2.61, 7th) and Brad Keller (2.63, 8th). Solbach and Elias both have eight wins. The last season that included two Cougars pitchers with 10 or more wins was in 2007 as both Trevor Cahill and James Heuser won 11 games that season. Zac Curtis leads the league with 18 saves and is now tied with Jose Guzman ('09) for 5th place on the franchise all-time list for most saves in a season. The franchise record is held by Bryan Moore, who saved 27 games in 2000.
Seattle outfielder Nelson Cruz ('03 Cougar) is 4th in the Major Leagues with 21 home runs. Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera ('01) was named a Major League All-Star for the 10th time in his career but will be unable to participate due to an injury. Cabrera and Cruz, along with Pittsburgh pitcher A.J. Burnett ('98) and Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Adrian Gonzalez ('01) were named to the Major League All-Star Game, which takes place on July 14. Infielder Dusty Coleman ('09) became the 6th Cougars alumnus to make his Major League debut this season. Coleman is currently with the Kansas City Royals. San Diego pitcher Tyson Ross ('08) hit a home run on July 2 against St. Louis. Ross is currently 5-7 with a 3.63 ERA. Pitcher Andrew Bailey ('07) is currently rehabbing with Double-A Trenton (New York Yankees) following shoulder surgery. Bailey hasn't pitched in a big league game since 2013. Toronto pitcher Bo Schultz ('10) has a 1.96 ERA in 10 relief appearances. Los Angeles Angels pitcher Huston Street ('04) has 23 saves this season. Marco Hernandez ('13) was recently named to the Eastern League All-Star Game. Hernandez, now at Double-A Portland (Boston), is batting .313. Portland's field staff includes former Cougars player Billy McMillon ('94) as manager and former Cougars manager Dave Joppie ('04-'05) as hitting coach. Pitcher Andrew Triggs ('12) has a 0.75 ERA in 21 appearances at Double-A Bowie (Baltimore). Statistics through 7/6.
Where's Ozzie? Ozzie is scheduled to make appearances at the following location:
Friday, July 10 from 11 AM-Noon - Central Kane County Triad
Saturday, July 11 from 5-6 PM - Pingree Grove Community Event
Midwest League Stories from July 7, 2015
- LumberKings Offense Goes Cold, then Heats up in DH Split - Clinton LumberKings
- Davis Devastates in Seventh - Great Lakes Loons
- Chiefs Hold On, Top Bees 2-1 Tuesday - Peoria Chiefs
- Chiefs Sneak Past Bees, 2-1 - Burlington Bees
- Davis Rockets Lugnuts Past Loons, 5-3 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Fort Wayne Foiled in Pitchers' Duel on Road - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Kane Countyâ??s fast start stops Wisconsin - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cougars Get Back to Winning - Kane County Cougars
- BG's Four-Run Fifth Inning Pivotal In 6-4 Win Over Dayton - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Dragons Fall to Hot Rods 6-4 in Road Trip Finale - Dayton Dragons
- TinCaps Game Notes: July 7 at South Bend (Game 81) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Great Snappers Promos for Six Games - Beloit Sky Carp
- Snappers Down Kernels, 8-1 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Seaton Strips Lake County of Captaincy - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Captains Drop Pitcher's Duel to Whitecaps - Lake County Captains
- Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: July 8-13 - Kane County Cougars
- TinCaps Homestand Highlights: July 8-17 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- The Rainbow Connection Home Run for Kids Comes to Lansing - Lansing Lugnuts
- Kane County Cougars Alumni Named to Major League All-Star Game - Kane County Cougars
- Trammell to Participate in Inaugural Whitecaps Community Foundation Golf Outing - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Rattlers win third straight with a walkoff in extra innings - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Win Streak Snapped at 10 - Kane County Cougars
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