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."

Wrigley to host another minor league game

I-Cubs vs. 51s...8/9/09

"We're excited," said Sam Bernabe, the Iowa Cubs president and general manager. "It's a great opportunity not only for our guys to play in Wrigley, but maybe to pick up a few more fans from around the Chicago area."

The starting time and ticket information will be announced at a later date. Both teams will return to Des Moines to resume the four-game series on Aug. 10.

It will be real easy to go back to Des Moines after that game.

The Big News Today

Sandberg's Chiefs to host Cougars at Wrigley

Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg, manager of the Class A Peoria Chiefs, will play host to what is believed to be the first minor-league game in the 94-year history of Wrigley Field when the Kane County Cougars visit July 29.

Tickets go on sale Friday morning and if more than 10,000 fans attend, it will count as one of the 30 night games on the Cubs’ 2008 schedule.

‘‘We wanted to use one of our night games,’’ Cubs chairman Crane Kenney said today. ‘‘We guard those preciously, but we want to make this a big celebration with Ryne coming home.’’

That's from the Sun-Times. Here is the Peoria Journal-Star reaction:

Chiefs anticipate taste of Chicago

An idea planted in January, sprouted on Thursday and will be in full bloom on July 29.

The Peoria Chiefs along with their parent organization Chicago Cubs announced Thursday that the Chiefs will play the Kane County Cougars at 7 p.m., July 29 at Wrigley Field in a game billed as the "Road to Wrigley."

"This is something we've always wanted to do to get more exposure for our kids and more exposure for the Midwest League," former Chiefs owner Pete Vonachen said. "This is like a dream come true."

Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen first brought up the idea to Cubs vice president of player personnel Oneri Fleita at the Cubs Convention in January. Fleita kicked it up to his boss, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, who took it chairman Crain Kenney.

And now the game will happen. Much more at the link.

The Kane County Reaction.

It will be the first minor league baseball game played at Wrigley Field, Cougars general manager Jeff Sedivy said after a news conference Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Sedivy said the idea has long been in the works, initiated by Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen.

“My first response was ‘Sure, that’d be great – What’s in it for us? ‘” Sedivy said. “After we both got done laughing, we both said that’d be a great opportunity.”