News of the Midwest League

A few stories that caught my eye over the last few days.

Consider this one from Fort Wayne a minor surprise:

TinCaps extend pact with Padres

The baseball club announced Thursday it signed a two-year extension to be the Low-A affiliate of the Padres’ organization.

TinCaps President Mike Nutter said he was excited to continue the relationship as the club nears the end of its 12th season with the Padres. During that time, the team is 830-828, according to the Padres.

“They have been a big part of this franchise’s success over the last several years, and we’ve really enjoyed working with the player development staff,” Nutter said.

What kind of decision was it?

Randy Smith, Padres director of player development, said re-signing with the TinCaps was a “no-brainer.”

“The entire environment, including Mike Nutter’s staff, Parkview Field and the city of Fort Wayne, is conducive to player development,” he said.

Minor league teams are allowed to sign two- or four-year contracts with major league affiliates, Nutter said. While the Padres initially wanted to sign a longer deal, Nutter said the team felt the two-year extension provided the most flexibility.

Why was this a minor surprise?

Recent speculation centered on the possibility the team might look to sign with a more regional affiliate, but when the Chicago White Sox opted to stay in North Carolina after signing a four-year deal with Kannapolis on July 2, there were not many regional options left for the TinCaps.

Turning the affiliate page to Kane County.

Among the select merchandise recently on super sale at the Cougars’ Elfstrom Stadium team store is a green and gold Oakland A’s visor for $2.

Fans of Kane County’s parent club might be wise to snatch the almost-hats up. They could be a collector’s item by Opening Day 2011.

The Cougars still are pondering an affiliate change for the first time since leaving the Florida Marlins for the A’s before the 2003 season. General manager Jeff Sedivy and other club officials continue to mull their options and expect to make a final decision in the next few weeks.

“We’re not ruling anything out as far as going back with Oakland,” Sedivy said, “but we’re still exploring what’s out there.”

A tampering clause prevents Sedivy from naming names, though fans should know the Cougars are guaranteed Major League affiliation as they conclude their 20th season in Geneva.

Suspend any hopes of seeing the newest Cubs and White Sox in training, however. The Cubs are in bliss with Peoria – the Cougars’ in-state rival in the Midwest League – while the Kannapolis (N.C.) Intimidators announced in July a four-year extension as the White Sox Low-A affiliate.

Cedar Rapids is in its 18th season as a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim farm club, representing the longest partnership in the Midwest League.

Speaking of the Kernels...Here is a look at their playoff chances.

[W]ith the Midwest League playoffs next week, how are the Cedar Rapids Kernels playing and what are their postseason chances?

Let’s give the wishy washy answer in both cases of “so-so.”

The Kernels beat the Burlington Bees last night, 4-1, to go 2-0 in September. On the other hand, both wins came again a Burlington club that has the second-worst record in full-season minor league baseball.

And the Kernels’ August record was a less-than-awe-inspiring 13-18.

“It is what it is,” said Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello. “We’ve been where we’ve been, and now we’ve got to play better.”

Against whom is yet another good question. Cedar Rapids has home-field advantage in the first round because of its first-half championship, but doesn’t know what Western Division club it will face in a best-of-3 series that begins on the road Wednesday night.

It could be Clinton, Kane County or Beloit. Quad Cities also is in the playoffs via its second-place division finish in the first half, and has all but wrapped the best overall record, which is significant because that’s worth home-field advantage in the second round.

But there’s a LONG way to go before that.

Finally, from Dayton, there is this note:

When new third baseman David Vidal took the field Thursday, Sept. 2, the Dayton Dragons set a single-season franchise record for players used. Fifty-five have appeared, five more than last season.

They have made 81 roster changes and just five players — catcher Mark Fleury, third baseman Frank Pfister, outfielder Alex Oliveras and pitchers Jacob Johnson and Junior Martinez — have been on the roster all season.

Some, such as relief pitcher Donnie Joseph and first baseman Chris Richburg, outgrew this level and were gone quickly. Others, such as shortstop Didi Gregorius and second baseman Henry Rodriguez, hung around until the final week before receiving their promotions to Lynchburg.

“You look at Lynchburg and who’s playing up there and you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s a pretty talented team.’ And most of them were here in Dayton — this year,” Dragons manager Todd Benzinger said.

The Dragons were 30-39 in the first half, then fell apart in the second half partially due to the many call-ups.

One night only...again.

The Peoria Chiefs are playing the Kane County Cougars at Wrigley Field tonight.  This is the second time in two years the teams will play there.  Trust me it doesn't get old.  This headline proves it!

Wrigley still sweet treat for Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs will be heading to Wrigley Field on Wednesday in a much different atmosphere than when they played in the inaugural “Road to Wrigley” game in 2008.

Their manager that year, Ryne Sandberg, was also a pretty big draw around the Midwest League, to say nothing of Chicago. His return to the Friendly Confines was his first in a uniform since his Hall of Fame playing career with the Chicago Cubs.

Just because the atmosphere will be a little different from that 2008 game doesn’t make it less special.

“That’s why everyone plays everyday and what you put your spikes on for,” utility player Greg Rohan said after the game was announced in May. “You get to play up there and get comfortable in the clubhouse.”

When the Cubs decided to start the “Road to Wrigley” game, the hope was that it would serve as an incentive to the minor-leaguers. That’s still the case.

“It will be a good opportunity for them to go and play in a place where they’re striving to get to,” Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke said. “It should be a real eye-opening experience to play on that field and in front of fans and be a part of that atmosphere.”

As a personal aside to Nathan and Jeff, the respective radio voices of the Chiefs and Cougars, "Have fun tonight, boys."

The interesting case of Grant Desme

Grant Desme hit .274 with 11 homers with Kane County before getting promoted to Advanced-A in the Oakland system. Then, he hit 11 homers in the Arizona Fall League and put himself on the radar as pretty good prospect in the Oakland system. Now, with Spring Training near, Desme has a different Opening Day in mind.

Grant Desme knew there was a higher ground even when he was playing for the low-Class A Kane County Cougars.

The 23-year-old outfielder announced his retirement from professional baseball Friday.

He is joining the priesthood.

...Desme informed A's general manager Billy Beane of his decision Thursday.

''Coming at him with this out of the blue was a shock,'' Desme said Friday. ''It knocked him off his horse a bit. But he was very supportive and understanding, which I appreciate.''

Desme led the Arizona Fall League with 11 home runs and was named the MVP.

He decided to enroll in the Catholic seminary St. Michael's Abbey in Orange County, Calif., after the fall league concluded. His final game was in the league championship Nov. 21.

''I knew it was a good chance of being the last baseball game I would play,'' Desme said, ''which was ironic considering I hit a home run and proceeded to strike out twice. That defined my career. There was no sad feeling.''

Desme visited the abbey and checked out the way of life.

''I let it sink in for a week or two,'' said Desme, who was born Catholic in Bakersfield, Calif. ''I talked to quite a few different priests and my family about the desire I was having. I kept this to myself in the baseball community. I decided I was going to apply. They sped up the process to accept me. Its about a 10-year process of studying and formation. In comparison, I'm re-entering the minor leagues.''

...

When Desme played for the Cougars, he relied on spiritual material to pass time on the tedious Midwest League bus trips.

I've thought of becoming a lot of things while staring out the window of that bus. Father Mehring was never one of them. Tedium or no.

Enough flippancy. When He calls, you answer. Best of luck to a young man who seems to have his priorities in order.

Hey, this is pretty nice

Elfstrom Stadium has been done up real nice. I may grab the camera tomorrow and take some crummy pictures with my eight-year old camera.

Today's posting follows.

THIS made the Chicago Daily Herald

Buried in the middle of a notes column titled New judge knows how to play ball there is this "item"...

He'll need energy: Spotted along the Fox River trail: Kane County Cougars media relations coordinator Shawn Touney getting in a 10-mile run on a nice Saturday morning.

He'll need to be in good shape to make his way around the Elfstrom Stadium complex, with its new additions and the second deck.

Thanks, Shawn. You are making the path to that Fifth Third Burger look so much better. Or, was it you? Your last name is spelled Tourney, after all.

Anticipation

With baited breath

Cougars weeks from unveiling stadium

For nearly two decades, the Kane County Cougars have been one of the more successful organizations in minor league baseball.

Soon, they will have a facility to reflect that.

While Elfstrom Stadium, the team's home for its 19-season run in the Midwest League, has served it well, for several years it has lagged behind many of the organizations throughout the league in terms of skyboxes and other amenities.

While new stadiums or renovations have materialized in places such as Peoria, Quad Cities and Dayton, little has changed at Elfstrom since the seating area was last expanded in 1999.

That's no longer the case as this offseason a long-awaited -- and much needed -- renovation has taken place, starting virtually since the team played its last home game in early September. When the Cougars return to open the home schedule April 13, an improved Elfstrom will welcome the team and its fans.

"I am confident that the fan base will like what we did," general manager Jeff Sedivy said. "So far the early returns of the people who have seen it have been very positive. It's had some rave reviews.

"It is better than I envisioned, and I had high expectations."

Click through for the whole story...with pictures, too!

Job Fairs

The Kane County Cougars, the Fort Wayne TinCaps, and the Lansing Lugnuts all recently held their job fairs.

Cougars job fair draws crowd, older workers to Geneva

More than 300 people showed up Saturday to apply for part-time positions at the Kane County Cougars job fair in Geneva.

"It was definitely the highest attendance we've had," said Cougars media relations coordinator Shawn Touney.

The job fair was for first-time applicants only, not returning employees, and many in attendance were not the traditional high school or college age job seeker.

Scott Snedden of Warrenville, 65 and retired from the video business, was applying for an usher's job.

"The way the market's been going, I saw it as an opportunity for some supplemental income," Snedden said.

Thousands apply for jobs with TinCaps

Well over 2,000 job seekers filed into the Grand Wayne Center on Saturday to learn more about the Fort Wayne TinCaps and the part-time and seasonal positions available at Parkview Field the team said in a press release.

The applicant line started to form as early as 8:30 a.m. and the TinCaps staff opened the doors and began the application process at 9 a.m., a full hour earlier than originally planned.

“We anticipated a great response to the openings we have available, so an early arriving crowd wasn’t a surprise,” said Vice President of Sales and Finance, Brian Schackow. “I am proud of our staff for being able to interact with as many people today as we did.”

Hundreds Show Up For Lugnuts Job Fair

There's no doubt finding a job in this economy is no walk in the park.

"I've been looking for a job for a year and a half," Jeffrey Cherkinsky said. "It's been really tough."

"I've been out of work for a month and a half and before that I was out of work for two months," John Mudget said.

That may be why hundreds of people packed the Lansing Center Saturday --- filling out applications and waiting their turn --- to take a swing at job with with the Lansing Lugnuts.

"Today is our game day job fair for all people that work at the stadium during the summer," General Manager Pat Day said. "Those are the people who serve your hot dogs or are on the field performing."

Day said the annual job fair usually brings in a crowd, but this is by far the biggest one he's ever seen.

Another word about

Lo, mine archenemy has a follower:

It would be easy for Genevans to simply say, ah, Dr. Rodney Nelson is at it again.

The longtime area physician, former School Board member and community activist is renewing his fight with the Kane County Forest Preserve District over the fireworks that commonly end many Kane County Cougars night games at Elfstrom Stadium.

This has been a long-term battle for Nelson, waged largely with letters to the editors of area newspapers and missives to Geneva city officials.

Nelson is armed with a raft of studies that say fireworks produce air pollution particulates that are dangerous and become more dangerous for people who get more exposure to them. There are other studies that appear to have scientific basis and appear to counter Nelson's studies, but most of those have some kind of tie to the fireworks industry.

Big Fireworks? The truth is out there.

So it seems to me that it might be time for the Forest Preserve District to take a look at the situation. It seems appropriate that a governmental agency charged with preserving land and other ecological concerns might be willing to discuss an air pollution concern.

It's not like Kane County hasn't already gone there. It took a lot of pushing, but the county eventually took up the case of leaf burning, banning it in the face of convincing medical evidence about its potential harm.

As for Dr. Nelson, he has taken care of the medical needs of area residents and their children and grandchildren and served his community well in a number of ways.

Maybe Genevans should be glad he's at it again.

Genevans of the Kane County, Unite! You have nothing to lose but your, um, something.

For more background on this see this post.

From Kane County

A pair of stories from the Cougars and their Winter Banquet

#1 is the new manager Steve Scarsone meeting the fans.

"I'm excited to get back into it," Scarsone said. "After spending so many years in the game, it kind of feels like I'm going home again."

A gathering of a few hundred fans and team officials at the Cougars' annual winter banquet were glad to have him. Scarsone mingled, shook hands and shared stories with all who approached him. The only thing missing, it seemed, were the ballplayers.

The Cougars should know the final makeup of their roster in early March, getting a clearer picture as the parent Oakland Athletics progress further in spring training. Scarsone, who managed in the Midwest League against Kane County in 2001, returned to the Tri-Cities feeling at ease.

He has spent little time investigating potential players and figures that can wait until the team's own spring training. He'll take stock in what he hears before that, but would rather just "look at them blind" himself.

#2 is a sitdown with GM Jeff Sedivy, who also gets mentioned in the lede of the above story.

How has this offseason been, for starters?

"It's been good. It's been real busy, obviously, with the ballpark under construction. Been a lot going on. It's been a full-time job and then some.

Where do you stand on those renovations?

Renovations are coming along nicely, but we're going to take it right down to the wire because of the weather.

Will this increase interest in the team and season ticket sales?

I really think that the impact of the new ballpark ... is going to be a positive one. I think you're going to get a lot of people coming back to the ballpark that haven't been there in a number of years, just to see what improvements we've made. I think you're going to get a lot of people that will come out when the weather's a little iffy, where before there wasn't a covered area for when it did rain. I think there's a lot of positives that it brings.

There's more there if you want to see it.

Guest blogger (1/24)

I used to be known as known as fireworks, but now....

Lo, I am become Death, Destroyer of worlds.

Don't believe me. Then, just read this article from the Kane County Chronicle.

For years, the Kane County Cougars have entertained fans with postgame fireworks.

But a neighbor to Elfstrom Stadium, where the Cougars play, says 30 shows a season releases too many particles in the air and poses a health risk. The stadium is owned by the Kane County Forest Preserve.

Dr. Rodney Nelson, who has been campaigning against the fireworks for about 15 years, said a new study from the New England Journal of Medicine backs up his position. The ecological study, published this week, found that fine-particle air pollution lowers life expectancy.

The researchers found that concentrations of fine particulate matter – equivalent to one-twentieth of the width of a human hair – can travel deep into the lungs and has been linked to the worsening of asthma and heart disease.

Fireworks, Nelson said, can release fine particles into the ambient air, affecting Geneva residents in neighborhoods near the stadium.

“One exposure can be lethal,” Nelson said. “Once again, the Kane County Forest Preserve will threaten my health and the health of my neighbors by creating ... fine particle pollution at least 26 times and four nights in a row at least twice.”

It's science!

The good doctor is willing to be reasonable, though!

He said he would accept the risk posed by one exposure due to Fourth of July celebrations, but not from 30 pyrotechnics shows in a season.

“I’m willing to bend once a year. I’m not that radical,” he said.

I know. I know. about three or four paragraphs up in the story there was this:

“One exposure can be lethal,” Nelson said.

I bolded that and -- for good measure -- italicized it, too.

Frankly, as the new Destroyer of Worlds, I am glad that sentence wasn't printed like this

"ONE EXPOSURE CAN BE LETHAL!!!1!1!! ZOMG!!!!!!"

I really need to sneak up on people if I want to take over for bubonic plague and ebola.

Maybe I should worry, because the government is there...ready to help:

Mayor Kevin Burns said officials will listen to Nelson – as they would to any resident’s concerns – and act if necessary.

“We admire Dr. Nelson’s passion and persistence,” Burns said. “And we encourage him to also share his thoughts with state officials and lawmakers who have regulatory authority to address this matter.”

Second Ward Alderman William Barclay said he would open Nelson’s concerns for discussion at a future city council meeting.

“I love fireworks as much as anybody else,” Barclay said. “I celebrate the Fourth of July and watch fireworks at Cougar stadium. I’d hate to not them have [fireworks] at a game. I think he has some legitimate health concerns. He presents some valid arguments why that is unheathy.”

The bureaucrats are there, too! Now, I'm really scared!

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman Maggie Carson said Nelson raises interesting concerns. The IEPA already has a device to measure ambient air pollution, based in Elgin.

She said it is not likely the agency would put a monitoring device near the stadium to measure particulate matter from fireworks.

“What the Illinois EPA does is look at broader trends,” Carson said. “If there was an industrial park with a lot of pollution we might put a monitoring device there. But we would not measure a spike an hour after fireworks. We would not look at short-term issues, but those of a lifetime.”

Carson suggested that people with respiratory issues should close their windows when fireworks are used.

“If you have a lung ailment, it’s in your best interest to avoid any concentrated air pollution,” she said.

Close their windows?!?! Curses, foiled again!

I forgot to mention the title of the article from the Kane County Chronicle....I may be the new Destroyer of Worlds...But, I'm not evil!

Fireworks shows bug Geneva doctor

75 dies insquequo Oris Dies

This is intersting

The Kane County Cougars have announced the co-headliners for their 2009 Winter Banquet.

The Cougars are pleased to announce that former Cougar radio voices and current Major League broadcasters Dave Wills and Scott Franzke will serve as co-headliners at the Cougars' 2009 Winter Banquet and Silent Auction, sponsored by Provena Mercy Medical Center.

The annual event will be held on Friday evening, January 30 at Pipers Banquets in Aurora, at the corner of Church and Butterfield Roads. Cocktails and the start of the silent auction begins at 5:30 pm and precedes dinner at 7 pm. The speakers program begins at 8 pm.

Both Wills and Franzke made early strides in their broadcasting career as radio voices of the Cougars. Wills was the inaugural broadcaster for the Cougars in 1991 and steadily advanced in his career after leaving Kane County, spending time with the White Sox before joining the Tampa Bay Rays in 2005.

Similar to Wills, Franzke honed his craft at Elfstrom Stadium, spending three seasons (1999-2001) with the Cougars and broadcasting Kane County's lone championship team -- the 2001 squad which included up-and-coming Major League talent such as Miguel Cabrera and Adrian Gonzalez.

Franzke is currently a broadcaster with the Phillies, which were crowned World Series champions this past fall.

Wills is an announcer for the Rays, the opponents of the Phillies in the '08 World Series.

How to save

around $40,000.

'Value-added engineering' reduces costs of Elfstrom Stadium expansion

Kane County Forest Preserve commissioners had to blink after looking at figures Friday that showed the expansion of Elfstrom Stadium actually costing less than expected.

But officials warned members of the commission's Executive Committee not to get too giddy, even though a series of eight change orders at the $10.57 million stadium expansion project show a net of $41,177 off the original project cost.

"I don't want to delude you," said Robert Quinlan, Forest Preserve finance director. "I'm sure there will be change orders in the positive at some point."

The reason for the reduction, officials said, came from "value-added engineering," where construction managers and engineers on the project continue to evaluate materials and design even after construction has begun. Value-added engineering on the roof over the new second tier of bleachers being built cut the cost of the project by $68,820, and eliminating some materials in the new administration building saved $2,240. With the other six change orders being positive, the net savings was $41,177, reducing the net cost of the project to about $10.53 million.

And the project is on schedule.

Elfstrom update

The focus of this story is the VIP Suites that will be available at the home of the Kane County Cougars next season.

As part of a stadium overhaul that began Sept. 11 but had been in the works since 1999, the Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics will add 15 skyboxes and nearly 1,000 seats to the stadium.

General manager Jeff Sedivy said the construction project really amounts to a complete renovation of the 18-year-old ballpark in west suburban Geneva.

"Our fans have been waiting for this," Sedivy said. "I just hope the fans like it as much as I do."

Although the Cougars play in one of the Midwest League's larger stadiums and the franchise is considered a commercial success, the team is behind the curve as far as luxury suites. Of the league's 14 teams, 10 have skyboxes.

So, where does the writer of the story go for another quote? Beloit. Beloit? Beloit.

"In general, that's what all of minor-league baseball is going for. You don't really see baseball stadiums built anymore without them," said Jeff Vohs, general manager of the Beloit Snappers, the Class A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

The Snappers are one of the few teams in the league without luxury suites; something they hope to rectify with a new stadium.

"Obviously, skyboxes and suites are huge revenue producers for a team," Vohs said. "It attracts more fans and more things that business can do."

Four teams in the Midwest League don't offer suites? Let's see...There's Beloit...There's...um...Clinton! Well, technically Burlington has one VIP suite so they don't offer "suites". I wonder were the writer got his information from, because I'm only counting two MWL teams without at least one suite available for 2009.

And since the story is posted on a website powered by WGN, the Chicago Tribune, and various other Chicago Cub related media, there is a quote from Peoria. Peoria? Peoria.

The Peoria Chiefs, the Class A affiliate of the Cubs, have offered luxury suites since 2002. Media manager Nathan Baliva said most of the boxes are rented to corporations such as Caterpillar, but two -- named for popular ex-Cubs Mark Grace and Greg Maddux -- are kept open for nightly rentals.

Well, that's not really a quote. More of a paraphrase. I'm sure Nate gave an awesome quote, though.

Click the link to find out what will be in the new suites in Kane County. Oh, and one of the suites at the Elf will be a SUPERSUITE!

The Cougars also are adding a party deck and a "super suite" behind home plate that can accommodate as many as 250 or be partitioned into smaller units.

"super suite" looks more impressive when written as SUPERSUITE!

Making a note ot it

The man whose name is on the stadium of the Kane County Cougars was in the news over the weekend.

The man who helped spearhead the creation of the Batavia Park District in 1969 has had to resign from the Batavia Park Board.

Because of health issues, 80-year-old Phil Elfstrom recently moved into The Holmstad retirement community, which is just outside of the park district’s boundaries.

As a result, Elfstrom had to resign from the board.

“I am disappointed,” Elfstrom said. “I would have liked to stay on.”

This year, he had two hip surgeries for his right hip.

“The first one didn’t work well, so I had another one," Elfstrom said. "I’m getting around."

Elfstrom said he knew The Holmstad was outside of the park district’s boundaries. He was elected to the board in April 2005 and his term expires in April 2011.

Fans were showing up at Phil Elfstrom Stadium to buy tickets for Cougar games next season.

Jay Carroll has been going to Kane County Cougars games since day one.

And on Saturday morning, before most had left the comfort of their warm beds, Carroll was at Elfstrom Stadium, braving the brisk winter breeze at an event that offered fans the first opportunity to buy tickets for the team’s 2009 season.

With a 2:30 a.m. arrival time, it’s not that much of a surprise that the Geneva resident was first in line. Carroll, who now brings his wife and three kids to the games, had the same spot last year.

“It’s exciting,” Carroll said, explaining that he set his mental alarm clock and headed off to the stadium to experience “the thrill of the hunt.”

But he wasn’t alone too long.

Bill Taylor of Hoffman Estates earned the No. 2 spot by showing up at 4 a.m., after which time the two men, who met under the same circumstances last year, took a walk around the stadium that is currently getting a $10.5 million face lift.

“It’s definitely going to be different,” Taylor said of the renovations that are slated to be complete before April 13, when the Cougars will face the Burlington Bees at their first home game of the season. “The quality of baseball is real good. ... They make plays as good as the ones in the Major League here.”

Shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday, more than 80 people were waiting to buy tickets, and officials were expecting a steady flow throughout the day.

Tickets for '09 on sale already? Why?

Cougars’ general manager Jeff Sedivy said the early ticket sale is one of his favorite events, explaining that most teams don’t put tickets on sale until the first of the year.

“Why make people stand in the snow?” Sedivy said, adding that it was also a great opportunity for fans to see the progress of the renovations, which include a second deck above the concourse that will have 15 skyboxes, two rooftop patio areas and a super suite.

We don't make them stand in the snow. We let fans in on the concourse last year.

No more Nieckula

At least, not in Kane County. The Cougars have announced their coaching staff for 2009. Here's the link. Just watch out for THE CREEPIEST internet ad ever when you click on that oursportscentral.com ad.

Let me put it this way, I would rather watch a two-hour documentary on the Saved By Zero commercial that is driving everyone crazy with the Saved By Zero ad played two or three times in every commercial break than ever click on another website that has THE CREEPIEST internet ad ever again.

A new face will be found in the Cougars' dugout beginning next April as former Major Leaguer Steve Scarsone takes the reins as Cougars skipper, replacing Aaron Nieckula who has been named manager of the High-A Stockton Ports. Nieckula earns a well-deserved move upwards in the Oakland organization after serving as the Cougars' manager for three seasons (2006-08) and hitting coach for two seasons (2004-05). As manager, Nieckula led the Cougars to two postseason appearances and compiled a .514 winning percentage (214-202) as skipper.

"Leaving behind Kane County is somewhat of an emotional experience. I built up some nice relationships with the front office staff, host families and fans," Nieckula said. "Any time you earn a promotion in any profession, it presents new challenges but I'm certainly looking forward to it."

Scarsone is not a stranger to the Midwest League.

Scarsone's managerial career includes time spent as head man of the Midwest League's South Bend franchise in 2001, as well as Lancaster of the California League in 2002. The Cougars' lone Midwest League Championship took place in '01 when Kane County opposed Scarsone's team, South Bend, in a shortened league championship series due to the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

"I'm excited about getting back into baseball," Scarsone said from his Arizona home. "During the 2001 season when I was in the Midwest League, I noticed the warm reception that the team (Kane County) got there from their local people. It's a great testament to what minor league baseball can be."

Also on the staff of the evil empire:

Pitching coach: Jimmy Escalante
Hitting coach: Haas Pratt
Trainer: Nate Brooks

There's a gleam, men. There's a gleam

No, not a Marty Schottenheimer pep talk. The gleam is the polish being put on Phil Elfstrom Stadium.

I think of that first game often when seeing the current $10.5 million construction project that will bring the stadium a new "wow" factor, with a second deck and all sorts of upgrades to go along with the already-impressive group party areas in the outfield and along the concourses.

It's come a long way since those lawn seats, which still remain, and a simple set of box seats introduced us to local professional baseball. With a mild winter, construction should stay on schedule and fans will see these impressive improvements next season.

This is the tail end of the part about the Cougars.

Kane County renovations

Cougars stadium expansion nearing one-third completion

A Kane County Cougars stadium expansion that will deliver new amenities and a long-term home for the team is about a third of the way done, team officials say.

The goal of the Elfstrom Stadium expansion is to keep the team competitive with other minor league attractions and vault the Cougars into baseball fans' hearts as the alternative attraction to Chicago Cubs and White Sox games for fans sick of the rowdy crowds, sluggish traffic and high prices.

"Our fan base will drive well over an hour to see a game and not have to pay a ton to park and catch a game, a fireworks show and run the bases," Cougars spokesman Shawn Touney said. "That's kind of what we're all about."

There are pictures at the link. What are the renovations?

The prime skybox is called the "super suite" by Cougars staff. It's located right behind home plate and is large enough to host a homecoming dance or business seminar, an addition that will make the stadium a year-round moneymaker.

Stealing a page from Wrigley Field fans, the stadium also will have two new rooftop party areas along either baseline at the ends of the upper deck.

The upper deck itself will be an amenity fans can enjoy even if they aren't inside any of the skyboxes. The skyboxes will act as an open-air roof that will cover the concourse for the first time and bring shade and cooler temperatures to a previously sun-drenched game experience. It also will add an important weather shield that will keep fans in the park, and near the concessions, whenever it rains.

Sounds like a plan.

While there is video posting going on...

Here is the flyby video of the Elfstrom Stadium expansion for 2009

Here is the flyby video of Harrison Square in Fort Wayne.

Impressive. I await the video of the visiting radio booth.

A new record

Cougars score big with fans' record-breaking pillow fight

The feathers were flying at Elfstrom Stadium for what the Kane County Cougars believe was a world record-setting pillow fight.

The Cougars announced Monday that 3,872 people participated in the 90-second pillow-palooza last weekend, besting the previous record of 3,648 people, set in 2005 at the University of Albany in Albany, N.Y.

Can I get a quote?

"The sights and sounds tonight as part of our world-record attempt are exactly what going to a Cougars game is all about -- having fun and creating memories that will last a lifetime," Cougars General Manager Jeff Sedivy said in a release.

I couldn't find video of this record. But, there was video of last year's attempt at the record.

Catching up with...

the Kane County Cougars.

July 2:
Cougars pitching staff in trouble

The Cougars’ pitching staff was the envy of the Midwest League just one week ago.

With three All-Stars in Craig Italiano, Scott Mitchinson and Jamie Richmond, the Kane County staff was dominant in the first half of the season.

But with Italiano’s call-up to high-A Stockton last week coupled with news Tuesday that Mitchinson (elbow) and recent Cougars call-up Tyson Ross (shoulder), a big prospect in the Oakland system, were headed to the disabled list, things have changed in a hurry.

July 3:
Brown rediscovers stroke

Corey Brown had been on fire at the plate coming into Wednesday’s game. Brown had hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games and drove in 14 runs in that span.

Brown continued his tear with another strong game on Wednesday. He went 3-for-4 with three singles, three RBIs and scored a run to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

July 4:
Nieckula proud of Futures honorees

Three former Cougars will get a chance to take the field at Yankee Stadium later this month as members of either the U.S. or World team at the Futures All-Star Game.

Cougars manager Aaron Nieckula had a hand in the development of each of the three – pitchers Trevor Cahill and Henry Rodriguez and infielder Cliff Pennington – over the last four years, which is something the third-year manager takes great pride in considering hit main goals as a low-minors manager is player development and promotion.

“Anytime you have young men that matriculate through the minor league system and have success at higher levels or the big leagues or a futures game or an All-Star game, that’s our reward as a coach,” said Nieckula, who managed Cahill and Rodriguez a season ago and was Pennington’s hitting coach in 2005.