MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: June 17-19

June 14, 2011 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA - The Kane County Cougars conclude the home portion of the regular season's first half with a three-game homestand beginning Friday and continuing through Father's Day on Sunday. The home set includes Jimmy Buffett Theme Night on Friday, two straight nights with post-game fireworks shows and numerous Father's Day activities planned for Sunday. Tickets are available for all three games and can be ordered by calling (630) 232-8811 or www.kccougars.com.

Friday 6/17 Clinton LumberKings (Seattle Mariners farm team) 7 p.m. (gates open at 6 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:45 p.m.)

- Jimmy Buffett Theme Night

- Pre-game concert by Mr. Myers Band

- Click pens for the first 1,500 fans

- Pre-game performance by Batavia Show Stoppers

- Baseball Buddies - Lake in the Hills Youth Athletic Association

- National Anthem - Divine Inspiration from St. Mary Church (Buffalo Grove)

- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by Lemont Indians Travel Baseball

- Post-game fireworks show (Jimmy Buffett theme)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Saturday 6/18 Clinton LumberKings 6 p.m. (gates open at 4 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (5:45 p.m.)

- Pre-game autograph session at 5:30 p.m.

- Baseball Buddies - Tri-Cities Little League

- National Anthem - Acapellago (Westmont)

- In-game entertainment by Dave the Horn Guy

- 7th Inning Stretch - led by Thrivent Builds

- Post-game fireworks show (Popular music theme)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Sunday 6/19 Clinton LumberKings 1 p.m. (gates open at 11 a.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (12:45 p.m.)

- Father's Day Picnic (reservations required)

- Fans can play catch on the field at noon

- Pre-game autograph session at 12:30 p.m.

- Sunday Funday - free kid-friendly activities inside the ballpark, sponsored by Dave and Buster's

- Baseball Buddies - Woodstock Little League

- National Anthem - Stephanie Albano (Westchester)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Homestand Notes

No "I" In Theme: All fans with tickets for this Friday's game can enjoy the next Cougars' theme night as we pay homage to Jimmy Buffett. The Cougars will transform Elfstrom Stadium into a tropical paradise with Hawaiian décor throughout the ballpark. The Mr. Myers Band will play a pre-game concert on the field beginning at 6 p.m. Cougars players will get into the act by wearing commemorative Buffett jerseys. After the game, the lights go out for a Jimmy Buffett-themed fireworks show. Various in-game contests will reflect the theme night as well.

Theme nights scheduled for July include Harry Potter Night (July 1), Superheroes Night (July 15), Ozzie's Birthday Bash (July 28) and Christmas in July (July 29). Fans can visit kccougars.com for a theme night schedule or to order tickets for the theme nights of their choice.

Honk Your Horn: Dave the Horn Guy makes his first trip to Elfstrom Stadium this season on Friday. Dave's unique routine, comprised of bicycle horns fastened to his body to create a musical montage, will be featured this Friday during several between-inning breaks. Dave has been featured on America's Got Talent and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Father's Day Fun: Families are encouraged to attend this Sunday's "Day for Dad" at Elfstrom Stadium. The Father's Day events include Ozzie's Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. (registration form available at kccougars.com), a picnic buffet on the outfield patio deck (reservations required), an opportunity to play catch on the field at noon, an on-field autograph session at 12:30 p.m., and chance to run the bases after the game. It's also a Sunday Funday, sponsored by Dave and Buster's. Beginning at noon, fans can enjoy a variety of kid-friendly activities such as craft stations, balloon artists, and other surprises. Complete information is available at kccougars.com.

Team Notes

The Cougars (27-36) close out the first half of the season with a three-game series in Burlington before returning home to host Clinton for three games. Kane County has been eliminated from a possible first half playoff berth and will need to secure either a second half division title or wild card spot in order to make the playoffs this season. Ryan Stovall has reached base safely in 20 straight games and is batting .343 in his last 16 games. Cheslor Cuthbert, an 18-year old prospect who joined the team on May 20, has four home runs and 14 RBI in 19 games as a Cougar. Left-handed pitcher Allen Caldwell, a converted outfielder, was added to the roster on June 10 and made his debut this past weekend. Outfielder Brett Eibner, who suffered an injury in the second game of the season, returned to the active roster on June 8, but has gone 0-for-12 since being activated.

Alumni News: The Cougars added another name to the list of alumni who have reached the Major Leagues. Jemile Weeks, an infielder from the '08 Cougars squad, made his debut on June 8 for Oakland. Weeks became the 112th former Cougar to play in the major leagues. In five games so far, Weeks has recorded a pair of multi-hit games and was in town last weekend as the A's played at U.S. Cellular Field against the White Sox. Infielder Mike Gilmartin, who played for the Cougars last season and is now with Class-A Advanced Stockton (Oakland A's affiliate), has been named a California League All-Star; Mike Spina ('09) and Jermaine Mitchell ('07) both play for the Midland RockHounds (another A's affiliate) and were named Texas League All-Stars in Double-A. Mitchell was a Midwest League All-Star as a Cougar in 2007 and is batting .367 (sixth in all of Minor League Baseball) with ten home runs and 41 RBI this season for Midland. Triple-A All-Star Game voting is conducted through a current fan vote online. Dontrelle Willis ('02), Jeff Bailey ('99), Corey Brown ('08), Travis Banwart ('07, '08), Vin Mazzaro ('06), Anthony Recker ('06), Jemile Weeks ('08), Jeff Baisley ('06) and Josh Horton ('07) are all former Cougars who are listed on the ballot.

Oakland pitcher and 2009 A.L. Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey ('07) recorded his first save of the season on Friday against the White Sox. Boston first baseman Adrian Gonzalez ('01) is batting an A.L.-best .341 and his 60 RBI lead Major League Baseball. Colorado pitcher Huston Street ('04) is tied with Leo Nunez for the most saves in the N.L. with 19. Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier ('03) is fifth-best in the N.L. with a .321 batting average. Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett ('00) continues to lead A.L. pitchers with a 2.06 ERA. Oakland infielder Cliff Pennington ('05) is batting .343 in his last ten games. Arizona pitcher Sam Demel ('07) has pitched in 21 games out of the D'Backs bullpen and sports a 1.72 ERA. Reds infielder Edgar Renteria ('93), who won the World Series MVP last fall for the Giants, is batting .231 in 31 games for Cincinnati this season. This is Renteria's 16th big league season. Florida pitcher Ryan Webb ('05) leads the team with 31 appearances. (statistics through games played on June 12)

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

Saturday, June 18 from 12-2 p.m. - Celebrate Our Children Festival (Aurora)

Saturday, June 18 from 11-Noon - Law Enforcement Torch Run (Gilberts)

Saturday, June 25 from 12-1 p.m. - Sandwich T-Ball

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 14, 2011


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