MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: May 22-27

May 21, 2014 - 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 Thursday and will welcome the Clinton Lumberkings (Seattle Mariners affiliate) and the Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate). Homestand highlights include a Thirsty Thursday with $1 select beers, soda and hot dogs, three straight nights with post-game fireworks shows, a ballpark campout, special entertainment and much more. Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or visiting kccougars.com.

Thursday 5/22 Clinton Lumberkings (Seattle Mariners farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Thirsty Thursday presented by Miller Lite ($1 select beers, sodas and hot dogs)

- Pre-game Ozzie's Reading Club parade

- National Anthem - Graham School (Naperville)

- "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" - led by Grace McWayne Elementary School (Batavia)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Friday 5/23 Clinton Lumberkings 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Pre-game Ozzie's Reading Club/Scout parade

- Discount gas coupons for the first 1,500 adults, courtesy of The Pride Stores

- One lucky fan will win a $50 gas card per inning, courtesy of The Pride Stores

- National Anthem - Kaneland Mid-Knight Special Choir

- Post-game fireworks show (Cubs theme)

- Post-game scout campout

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Saturday 5/24 Clinton Lumberkings 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Pre-game Ozzie's Reading Club/Scout parade

- Pre-game performance by School for the Performing Arts

- National Anthem - Wredling Middle School (St. Charles)

- "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" - led by School for the Performing Arts

- Post-game performance by the Jesse White Tumblers

- Post-game fireworks show (Movie theme)

- Post-game scout campout

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Sunday 5/25 Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Pre-game Ozzie's Reading Club/Scout parade

- Pre-game autograph session with Cougars players

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

- National Anthem - Eastview Middle School (Bartlett)

- Entertainment by the Zooperstars

- Live organ music by Nancy Faust

- Post-game fireworks show (Patriotic theme)

- Post-game performance art painting by Elliott From of Artbeat Live

- Post-game family ballpark campout (reservations required)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Monday 5/26 Peoria Chiefs 1 p.m. (gates open at 12 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (12:45 p.m.)

- Pre-game Ozzie's Reading Club parade

- National Anthem - Ava Beydown

- Dedication of POW/MIA Box Seat

- National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Tuesday 5/27 Peoria Chiefs 11 a.m. (gates open at 10 a.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (10:45 p.m.)

- Pre-game Ozzie's Reading Club parade

- High School Sports Business and Marketing Seminars (Elk Grove HS)

- National Anthem - St. Michael's School

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Homestand Notes

Kickoff to summer fun: The family entertainment is in full force throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The Cougars will light the skies for post-game fireworks shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Cougars welcome back the Jesse White Tumblers for their high-flying routine after Saturday's game. The Zooperstars make their first appearance of the season on Sunday for their entertaining between-innings routine. Sunday's game will also include the Sunday Funday entertainment sponsored by Dave and Buster's, live organ music by Nancy Faust, a pre-game autograph session with the Cougars team and a post-game performance art display on the field by Artbeat Live. World renowned artist Elliott From brings more than 20 years of experience in oil and acrylic painting into a live performance setting. Elliott's painting will be auctioned off for charity as well.

Thirsty Thursday: Thursday's game is a Thirsty Thursday, presented by Miller Lite. Fans attending Thirsty Thursday games can enjoy $1 select beers, sodas and even hot dogs.

We're camping: In addition to a pair of scout campouts this weekend, the Cougars are hosting a family ballpark campout following Sunday's game. Campers will enjoy Sunday's game, a post-game movie on the field and an overnight stay in the Cougars' campground area at the ballpark. Campers will enjoy breakfast on Monday morning. Reservations are required; call (630) 232-8811 for details.

Remembering those who serve and have served: The Cougars will be permanently dedicating a box seat to all POW/MIA individuals as part of Monday's Memorial Day game. Cougars players will wear patriotic jerseys that afternoon and both teams will participate in the national "Moment of Remembrance" at 3 p.m.

Team Notes The Cougars' 29-16 record leads the 16-team Midwest League. The Cougars lead the Western Division by 2.5 games over Peoria and 5 games over Clinton for the first half wild card spot. The Cougars play either Peoria or Clinton a total of 18 times between now and the end of the first half on June 15. The Cougars are attempting to lock up a first half playoff berth for the first time since 2009 - Kane County clinched a second half playoff spot in 2010 and 2011 and missed making the postseason the last two seasons. Pitcher Justin Amlung is 4th in the Midwest League with a 1.75 ERA and 3rd in the league with a 0.89 WHIP. Amlung is 3-0. A total of 11 different Cougars players have 10 or more RBI. Pitcher Tyler Skulina, who combined with newly-promoted pitcher Nathan Dorris to throw a combined no-hitter on May 17, is 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA. Pitcher Paul Blackburn is 4-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 8 starts. Reliever James Pugliese is 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA in 9 outings.

Elsewhere in the Cubs' system, catcher John Baker ('03 Cougar) had a two-hit game Tuesday night against the New York Yankees. Pitcher Jeff Antigua ('13) is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 5 games at Triple-A Iowa. At Double-A Tennessee, pitcher Pierce Johnson ('13) has made 6 starts and has a 4.39 ERA while reliever Armando Rivero ('13) has made 16 relief appearances, posting a 1.85 ERA. At Class-A Advanced Daytona, outfielder Albert Almora ('13) is now batting .272 and recently had a streak of 6 straight multi-hit games. Outfielder Bijan Rademacher ('13) is batting .339. Pitcher Felix Pena ('13) is 1-4 with a 1.47 ERA in 8 starts. Pitcher Nathan Dorris ('13-'14), who was the second Cougars player to receive a promotion this season, made his Daytona debut on May 19, picking up the win.

Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera ('01) is batting .323 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI. Baltimore outfielder Nelson Cruz ('03) is batting .273 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI. Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Adrian Gonzalez ('01) has 11 home runs and 32 RBI. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett ('00) has a 2.89 ERA in 8 starts. Chicago White Sox pitcher Ronald Belisario ('02) has made 21 relief appearances. Philadelphia pitcher A.J. Burnett ('98) has a 3.32 ERA in 10 starts. San Francisco pitcher Santiago Casilla ('03-'04) has a 1.42 ERA in 21 relief appearances. Detroit pitcher Ian Krol ('10) has a 1.84 ERA in 20 relief appearances. San Diego closer Huston Street ('04) has 13 saves and a 0.50 ERA. Catcher Max Stassi ('10) is batting .272 with 5 home runs and 26 RBI at Triple-A Oklahoma City (Houston). Pitcher Travis Banwart ('07-'08) is 3-0 with a 3.35 ERA at Triple-A Columbus (Cleveland). Recently traded pitcher Greg Billo ('11) made his debut at Class-A Advanced Inland Empire (Los Angeles Angels). (Statistics through 5/20)

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

Saturday, May 31 from 8-9 a.m. - Ozzie's Home Run and Walk 5K (Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, Geneva)

Saturday, May 31 from 1-2 p.m. - Learning Express (Geneva)

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics



Midwest League Stories from May 21, 2014


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