Black History Month: A Look at the Top Five Players in Chiefs History

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In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went onto long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for the Peoria Chiefs.

JOSH HARRISON

A do-it-all, versatile player, Josh Harrison has carved out quite the niche in his professional career. The now 34-year-old played in 110 contests with the Chiefs over the course of two seasons. His 2009 campaign served as a breakout year for the Cincinnati, Ohio native. In 79 games, he hit .337 with four homers, while striking out in just 7% of his at-bats. Harrison was traded from the Cubs to the Pirates in July of 2009 and later made his Major League debut with Pittsburgh in 2011. Harrison’s best season came in 2014, when he made his first career All-Star Game. He finished ninth in MVP voting, posting a .315 batting average with 13 home runs and 18 stolen bases. He tacked on a second ASG appearance in 2017, thanks in large part to his 16 home runs, a career-high. Harrison spent 2021 with the Nationals and the A’s. He is currently a free agent.

ALEX REYES

After battling injuries, Alex Reyes burst onto the scene in 2021. Reyes made 69 appearances for the Cardinals last season and recorded an impressive 10 wins out of the bullpen. The right-hander collected 29 saves and set a Major League record by converting the first 24 saves of his career. Reyes has always been a highly-touted hurler and served as Baseball Prospectus’ top-ranked prospect in their 2017 preseason rankings. Reyes, who was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, spent the 2014 season with the Chiefs as a 19-year-old. In 21 starts, Reyes went 7-7 with a 3.62 ERA, while striking out 137 batters in 109.1 innings.

COCO CRISP

Coco Crisp, a widely-respected veteran, spent 15 seasons with four Major League teams and suited up for more than 1,500 career games. Crisp collected 1,572 career hits and mashed 130 career home runs, including 22 with the Oakland A’s in 2013. He posted three seasons with 30+ stolen bases and swiped 49 bags in 2011, tied for the American League lead. Crisp’s stay in Peoria was a brief one. The Los Angeles native played just 27 games for the Chiefs in 2000, but posted a .377 on-base percentage in that timeframe. After being named the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year in 2001, Crisp was traded to Cleveland in 2002. He parlayed the trade into stints with Cleveland, Boston, Kansas City and Oakland.

JACK FLAHERTY

Flaherty, the now ace of the Cardinals pitching staff, played his first full season of professional baseball with the Chiefs in 2015. Flaherty dominated Midwest League hitters, posting a 9-3 record with a 2.84 ERA. After moving through the ranks, Flaherty made his MLB debut in 2017. After a fine 2018 season with St, Louis, the Burbank, California native put the rest of the league on notice in 2019. Flaherty went 11-8 and sported a sparkling 2.75 ERA. He finished fourth in the race for the National League Cy Young award after whiffing 231 batters in 196.1 innings pitched. Flaherty overcame two IL stints in 2021 to post a solid 9-2 record last season. The 26-year-old will look to build on his early success in 2022.

DEVON WHITE

Few players in Chiefs history can boast a more impressive resume than Devon White. Born in Jamaica, White moved to the United States as a kid and was drafted by the California Angels in the sixth round of the 1981 draft. As a 20-year-old, he flashed some serious potential with the Chiefs in 1983. The speedy outfielder stole 32 bases and hit 13 home runs in the process. After making his MLB debut in 1985, White quickly became known for his unique mix of speed, power and defense. Over the span of a 17-year Major League career, White swiped 346 bases, with five seasons of 30 or more stolen bases.He hit 208 homers, and racked up seven Gold Gloves, including a stretch of five in a row from 1991-1995. In addition to his individual success, White won three World Series titles in his distinguished career, including back-to-back trophies with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993.

Dozer Park to Host Concert for the City on July 2

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Peoria, IL— The Peoria Chiefs, in conjunction with the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, First Baptist Church of Peoria, and Connect Church of Washington, are teaming up to present a Concert for the City on Saturday, July 2.

Peoria native Victor Solomon will be joined by Jordan Feliz, a top-selling Christian pop artist, whose 2015 song “The River,” reached the top spot on Billboard Magazine’s Christian Airplay chart. A fireworks show will follow the concert. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., with Solomon taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. Feliz will perform at approximately 7:30 p.m.

A 2017 graduate of Peoria High School, Solomon burst onto the national scene last year, when he finished fifth on NBC’s “The Voice.” This will mark his second performance at Dozer Park, after he performed the national anthem at a Chiefs game last season.

Feliz plays a folk rock/soul style of Christian pop. He was named the New Artist of the Year at the 2016 GMA Dove Awards. Feliz has released four studio albums, including “Future,” which served as Billboard’s top Christian album the week of April 7, 2018.

General admission tickets start at $25. For larger groups, the concourse party areas will be available. Tickets for the concourse areas are $30 per person, with a capacity limit of 40 people. The first base party deck, which can accommodate up to 75 guests, and the third base party deck, which can welcome 100 patrons, will also be available for purchase. Tickets for both party decks start at $35 per person. Additionally, Dozer Park’s 18 luxury suites are available for rental.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, a local not-for-profit dedicated to empowering families by giving them hope and a path for prosperity.

“Peoria Friendship House is honored to carry out our mission by hosting The Concert for the City, a Christian concert held later this summer,” said Marcellus Sommerville, CEO of the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service. “Music connects families, cultivates communities and strengthens spiritual connections by bringing people together and promoting unity within.”

Jason Mott, General Manager of the Peoria Chiefs, is excited to team up with the local organization.

“I served on the Friendship House board for the last six years, and I’ve seen their work up close,” Mott said. “They truly provide a ‘hand up’ to the Peoria community. We’re very pleased to host this concert at Dozer Park.”

Tickets for the event will go live Thursday, January 27 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting https://www.milb.com/peoria/events/concerts

Chiefs to Hold 2021 Job Fair on March 29 & April 9

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PEORIA, Ill. – As the 2021 baseball season approaches, the Peoria Chiefs will be hosting a job fair at Dozer Park (730 SW Jefferson St., Peoria, IL, 61605) on Monday, March 29 and Friday, April 9 from 5-7 p.m. The Chiefs are looking to fill a number of different game day positions for the upcoming season.

Open positions include concessions (cashiers, expeditors, cooks, servers), box office, cleaning crew, grounds crew, ushers, mascot and promotions team. Candidates will be expected to work all 60 Peoria Chiefs home games throughout the duration of the season including nights, weekends, and holidays.

All interested applicants are encouraged to bring their current resume with them to the job fair. Applicants should also be dressed in professional attire and come prepared to answer a number of different questions from the Chiefs staff.

For the safety of all applicants and Chiefs staff, masks are required throughout the duration of the event.

If you have any questions regarding the job fair, please contact Jason Mott at [email protected].

The Peoria Chiefs are locally owned and operated and play their games at Dozer Park. The Chiefs are a committed community asset and premier entertainment venue for families and individuals in Central Illinois.

Cougars to Hold Open Auditions for On-Field Emcee on March 18

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GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars are seeking an energetic and outgoing personality to serve as part of the fan experience at Northwestern Medicine Field this season. An essential part of the game day staff, the on-field emcee works hand in hand with the Cougar Crew promotional team to enhance the atmosphere during games.

Open auditions for the on-field emcee will be held on Wednesday, March 18 from 1-5 PM at Northwestern Medicine Field (34W002 Cherry Lane). Those interested are encouraged to call the front office at 630-232-8811 to schedule their audition time.

All emcee candidates must submit a resume as a part of their audition process. Materials may be emailed to Caela at [email protected] or provided at the audition. Candidates must be at least 18 years or older and must be able to attend all 70 Cougars home games.

Those auditioning will be judged on their voice strength, on-field presence and energy level. Candidates must be able to gain access to all areas of the ballpark quickly and safely while standing for long periods of time with the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.Various requests during the audition will include acting out on-field promotions, including an explanation of the promotion to fans, introducing contestants and commentary when necessary.

Opening Night for the Cougars is Thursday, April 9 against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at 6:30 PM. The first 1,500 fans will receive an Opening Night cap, courtesy of Northwestern Medicine. Thirsty Thursday specials, presented by Miller Lite, will also be available with $1 beers, sodas, and $2 hot dogs.

Single-game tickets, ticket packages and group outings for the 2020 season are on sale now at www.kccougars.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 630-232-8811 or visiting the box office at Northwestern Medicine Field.

For updates on the Cougars 2019 season, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars
The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 171 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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Cougars Announce 9th Annual 5K to be held on Saturday, May 16

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GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars announce the 9th Annual Cougars 5K Run/Walk, presented by Northwestern Medicine Delnor Health & Fitness Center, will take place on Saturday, May 16 beginning at 8 a.m. Proceeds from the race will benefit the many charitable programs of The Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, Inc.

Registration is now open at kccougars.com and raceroster.com.

Open to competitive runners and recreational walkers, the Cougars host one of the most unique 5K events in the Chicagoland area with the finish line located at home plate inside Northwestern Medicine Field. Participants can be seen on the ballpark video board through a live-feed camera while high-fiving team mascots, Ozzie and Annie T. Cougar, down the final stretch of the course.

Families are encouraged to participate as strollers are permitted on the course with a discounted rate for participants between the ages of 5-18.

Those registered by Friday, May 1 are guaranteed a commemorative race t-shirt featuring the Cougars 5K logo, while all participants will receive a complimentary ticket voucher for a 2020 Cougars game. The top three male and female finishers in the following age groups will receive a custom race medal: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+.
Kids, age 12 and under, can register for the Inside the Park Dash. The half-mile fun run will take place at the conclusion of the 5K. Inside the Park Dash participants will also be guaranteed a race t-shirt if registered by May 1.

Following the race, participants can enjoy a variety of refreshments including a complimentary hot dog or brat, and beer or soda.

For updates on the Cougars 30th-anniversary season, including tickets and promotions, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

Chiefs Announce 2020 Specialty Jerseys

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PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs have announced their specialty jerseys for the 2020 campaign. The En El Rio themed jerseys will be worn on May 15, June 19, July 26, August 9 and September 4 and will be available for auction following the September 4 home game. These jerseys will be worn in conjunction with Minor League Baseball’s COPA initiative and will be revealed in early March along with the En El Rio hats from New Era.

In addition to the En El Rio and the usual Sunday baby blue throwback jerseys, the Chiefs have announced four other specialty jerseys this season. All dates are subject to change.

Saturday, May 2 is Kentucky Derby Night and the Chiefs will wear a Derby-themed jersey. The jersey features a checkerboard design, consistent with the traditional apparel of a horse jockey.

Armed Forces Night is Saturday, May 16 and the Chiefs will wear their stars and stripes jersey to commemorate the night. The navy blue top features a red, white and blue Chiefs script across the chest with fireworks also prominent on the jersey. The Chiefs will wear these jerseys again on July 4 and will be auctioned off following the game.

The Chiefs will celebrate 80’s Night on Saturday, May 30 by wearing a Caddyshack-themed jersey. The look was inspired by Rodney Dangerfield, who wore a rainbow sweater in the 1980 film.

On Saturday, July 25, the Chiefs will wear a Christmas in July jersey. The jersey combines a Santa Claus suit with a Hawaiian shirt for the Chiefs annual Margaritaville Night celebrations.

The Chiefs will again use Gesture in 2020 for all jersey auctions. Fans can access Chiefs.Gesture.com to sign up for an account or text CHIEFS to 52182 to register. Fans can track auctions and make bids from anywhere via their smartphone, tablet or PC and do not have to be at Dozer Park to win or pay for their jersey. All proceeds from this year’s auctions will benefit local charities. If your group is interested in sponsoring any of our specialty jerseys, please contact Ben Garrod, Director of Corporate Partnerships, at (309) 680-4013 or [email protected]

Chiefs Season & Group Tickets
Season ticket packages and group tickets for the 2020 season are currently on sale by calling 309-680-4000. The 2020 season kicks off April 9 in Davenport, Iowa with the home opener against the Beloit Snappers set for Monday, April 13 at 6:35 p.m. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early March. Fans can keep up with all Chiefs news during the offseason online at www.peoriachiefs.com and on Twitter or Instagram: @PeoriaChiefs.

 

Chiefs Scholarship Applications Open

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PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs, in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, have announced that applications are now open for two available scholarships in the 2020 Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. This year the college scholarships awarded will both be for $2000 and eligible students can apply through the scholarships tab at www.communityfoundationci.org with a deadline of March 4.

     Again this year, two scholarships will be awarded for the 2020 Fall Academic Year with students in District 150 and the Tri-County area eligible to be selected. The District 150 scholarship will focus on assisting students with financial need to excel in their higher education while allowing them to pursue any academic field they are passionate about. The Tri-County area scholarship will focus on assisting students who are pursuing degrees in athletic areas such as Sports Management, Marketing, Communications, and more. The Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 and seven scholarships have been awarded over the first three years

The Chiefs have raised money for the Scholarship Fund over the last three seasons through mystery ball auctions and sales plus tennis ball tosses and jersey auctions. Fans who want to make a donation to the Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund can make donations directly to the fund by sending a check to Community Foundation of Central Illinois, with a memo to the Peoria Chiefs Scholarship Fund. The address is 3625 North Sheridan Road Peoria, IL 61604.

About CFCI

The CFCI was established in 1985 by a group of community-minded citizens to meet a wide variety of social, cultural, education, and other charitable needs throughout central Illinois. CFCI carries out its mission by working with donors to establish permanent endowment funds to be used as charitable capital for enhancing the quality of life in the central Illinois Community. CFCI maintains high professional standards in the investment and management of the funds entrusted to the CFCI and promotes effective and efficient grant making to serve current and future needs of central Illinois. For more information, please visit www.communityfoundationci.org.

Chiefs Season & Group Tickets

      Season ticket packages and group tickets for the 2020 season are currently on sale by calling 309-680-4000. The 2020 season kicks off April 9 in Davenport, Iowa with the home opener against the Beloit Snappers set for Monday, April 13 at 6:35 p.m. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early March. Fans can keep up with all Chiefs news during the offseason online at www.peoriachiefs.com and on twitter or instagram: @PeoriaChiefs.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cougars Release Economic Impact Statement

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GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars and their fans have provided a major impact to the Kane County economy since the organization’s inaugural season in 1991. In 2019 alone, the Cougars generated over $11 million for the city, according to a recent economic impact study conducted by the organization.

Some of the highlights from the 2019 season include over $4.9 million invested into the community by ballpark visitors, 499 seasonal and full-time jobs as well as Foundation giving that totaled $1,054,980. Money spent at the ballpark includes tickets, concessions, souvenirs and parking.

“Over the last 29 years, the community has seen first hand that the Cougars have become far more than just a baseball team,” said owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “As an organization, we have established a reputation beyond the baseball field and our motto of affordable family fun. We’re committed to making a difference in our community year-round.”

The 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on all the 30th-anniversary festivities including tickets and promotions.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cougars Foundation Recognized by Kane County Forest Preserve

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GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation was formally recognized by the Kane County Forest Preserve District at a public meeting on Tuesday, January 14.

Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich was presented with an official certificate of recognition and congratulations on receiving Ballpark Digest’s 2019 Commitment to Charity Award. This was the second consecutive year in which the Cougars Baseball Foundation donated over $1 million to charitable causes.

Forest Preserve President Mike Kenyon and Forest Preserve Executive Director Monica Meyers were also on hand to present the award.

“This is an exciting time for the Cougars organization,” said Dr. Bob Froehlich. “Not only do the awards and accolades keep coming for the Foundation, but we’re also preparing to celebrate our 30th-anniversary season in 2020.”

Several capital improvements will be made at Northwestern Medicine Field to enhance the fan experience. In addition, a special logo reveal and 30th-anniversary team will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on all the 30th-anniversary festivities including tickets and promotions.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, Inc. Releases 2019 Annual Report

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GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, Inc. proudly presents the 5th Annual Report to the Community detailing the organization’s charitable outreach in 2019. Each year, the report lists the extensive accomplishments of the Foundation as well as the notable programs coordinated by the Cougars.

It was another record-setting year for the Cougars Foundation as giving exceeded the $1 million mark, making 2019 the second consecutive year charitable giving was above the $1 million milestone. In addition, the Cougars moved into the top five among all Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams in charitable giving following the release of the MiLB Charity Report for 2018. The Cougars are currently ranked fifth out of all 160 teams, marking the second consecutive year the team was ranked in the top ten for charitable giving.

The Foundation achieved additional milestones as the five-year record giving streak has soared over 1,500% since 2014. Individual programs supported by the Foundation have reached a total of 24, while cash contributions were provided to 32 community organizations, the largest number of programs and organizations that have benefited from the Foundation in its history. Program highlights include the Cougars Reading Club which now reaches over 450 schools and 138,000 students with the Summer Reading Program now including 89 libraries and over 5,400 student participants. The Foundation also operates two scholarship programs, issuing grade school level scholarships to six local students and five college-level scholarships. Military Outreach continued to see growth, reaching over 1,100 current and former military service members while the Senior Citizens Outreach touched over 2,500 local seniors age 65 and over.

In addition to the expansion of current programs, new programs were added such as Mental Health and Deaf Awareness Night. The Foundation teamed up with local charities that focus on improving the quality of lives for those who deal with mental illness and hearing impairments. For each strikeout recorded by a Cougars pitcher during select nights, the Foundation made a donation with a portion of the total proceeds benefiting the selected charities.

The highlight of the year for the Foundation came at Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego, Calif. Ballpark Digest selected the Cougars Foundation out of all 160 MiLB teams to receive the prestigious Ballpark Digest Commitment to Charity Award for the 2019 season. Following the announcement that the Cougars had been selected, the Foundation received a congratulatory message from NASDAQ on the famous MarketSite Tower that illuminates Times Square. This marked the first time a MiLB Foundation was featured on the MarketSite Tower.

Across all 24 programs, the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation’s charitable giving reached a total of $1,054,980.

“None of these accomplishments would be possible without the commitment of our Foundation’s sponsors, donors and partners,” said Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “Their willingness to step up for our community is seen each and every year that we’re able to expand our outreach. It’s amazing to watch the impact of the Foundation stretch far beyond the baseball field.”

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation Honored In Times Square

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation was honored yesterday on the NASDAQ MarketSite Tower that illuminates Times Square with a special message of congratulations after the Foundation received the 2019 Ballpark Digest Commitment to Charity award at the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego, Calif. This was a historic event as the Cougars Foundation became the first MiLB Foundation to appear on the NASDAQ MarketSite Tower.

Located at 43rd and Broadway in New York City, the high-tech electronic display is over seven stories tall and wraps around the NASDAQ building providing financial news, market highlights and advertisements. Featured in films, TV programs and news articles the modern-day icon is illuminated 24 hours a day and receives worldwide coverage.

Since 2015, Ballpark Digest has selected one team among the 160 total MiLB teams to receive their prestigious Commitment to Charity Award. The 2019 season represented a record-setting year filled with milestones for the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation which led to their selection for the award.

The Cougars Foundation giving exceeded $1 million in 2019, marking the second consecutive year of giving above and beyond the $1 million milestone. The Cougars were also ranked fifth overall following the issue of MiLB’s Charity Report for 2018 which covers the charitable giving for all 160 Minor League Baseball teams. This marks the second consecutive year the Cougars have been ranked in the top ten teams for charitable giving.

The Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation now manages 24 individual charity programs, the largest number of programs in the Foundation’s history. These programs provide cash contributions to 32 different community organizations which is also the largest number of recipients in the Foundation’s history. Additional highlights for the 2019 season included the Cougars Reading Club reaching over 450 schools with 138,000 students participating in the organization’s reading incentive program as well as the Summer Reading Program which included 89 libraries with over 5,400 students participating. The Cougars Foundation also operates two scholarship programs issuing six scholarships to grade school children as well as five college scholarships. In addition to the reading and scholarship programs, the Foundation’s Military Outreach touched over 1,100 current and former military service members with the Senior Citizens Outreach touching over 2,500 local citizens over the age of 65.

Anticipation is high for the 2020 season as the Cougars celebrate their 30th anniversary. Several capital improvements will be made at Northwestern Medicine Field, home of your Cougars, to enhance the fan experience. In addition, a special logo reveal and 30th-anniversary team will be announced starting in mid-January.

Your Cougars 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. For updates on all the festivities, including ticket and promotion specials, follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cougars Announce New Classroom Appreciation Grant, Improvements to Reading Club Program

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Additional scholarships and rewards for Reading Club participants will begin in 2020

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced multiple improvements to the Cougars Reading Club as well as a new Ozzie and Annie Classroom Appreciation 1K Grant. This is the first announcement of several enhancements the Cougars will be making ahead of their 30th anniversary season. Additional announcements regarding capital improvements, a 30th-anniversary logo reveal and the 30th-anniversary team will be made starting in mid-January.

Prior to the 2020 season, Ozzie and Annie Reading Scholarships were awarded to six local students for the lasting impact their involvement with the Cougars Reading Club has made in their everyday lives. Moving forward, the Cougars will now be awarding 10 total scholarships at $500 each in an effort to expand the appreciation for student involvement and assist with continuing their education.

Each student that participates in the Cougars Reading Club receives multiple rewards including a Golden Ticket. Beginning with the 2020 season, all Reading Club participants who present their Golden Ticket at the box office will be awarded two complimentary tickets for all June-September games, which doubles the ticket reward from previous seasons, ensuring even more family fun throughout the summer.

New for the 2020 season is the Ozzie and Annie Classroom Appreciation 1K Grant. This program will award one teacher’s classroom with a $1,000 grant to show appreciation for their participation in the Cougars Reading Club. Cougars mascots and goodwill ambassadors, Ozzie and Annie T. Cougar, will present the check to the winning teacher and their classroom. Additional details regarding the Classroom Appreciation Grant will be announced soon.

Teachers that are interested in registering their school or classroom in the Cougars Reading Club can visit kccougars.com for more information.

The Cougars Reading Club is an eight-week incentive program that runs between the months of January and March. Students from Pre-K through 8th grade are eligible to participate as long as their school is a member of the Reading Club Program. Students that complete a reading home run are rewarded with a complimentary ticket to an April or May Cougars game, a hot dog and soft drink, official Cougars Reading Club souvenir and bookmark as well as the opportunity to participate in a pre-game on-field parade led by Ozzie and Annie.

Your Cougars 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. For updates on all the festivities, including ticket and promotion specials, follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cougars Announce Winter Coat and Boot Drive Begins December 2

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GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced the dates for the organization’s annual Winter Coat Drive. New for this season, the Cougars will also be collecting donations of winter boots.

Beginning Monday, December 2, fans are welcome to stop by the Cougars front office at Northwestern Medicine Field (34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva, IL 60134) between 9 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday. Donations of new or gently-used winter coats and boots for infants, children and adults are encouraged. Fans will receive one (1) undated reserved seat ticket voucher valid for a 2020 regular season Cougars game with each donated item. There is a maximum of 10 complimentary ticket vouchers per fan.

In partnership with the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans and Mutual Ground, all coats and boots will be donated to local individuals and their families in need of cold-weather outerwear this winter.

The deadline to donate for this year’s Winter Coat and Boot Drive is Friday, December 13 at 4 PM. For more information, contact the Cougars front office at 630-232-8811.

Your Cougars 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. For updates on all the festivities, including ticket and promotion specials, follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Cougars Announce New Military Partnership with Folds of Honor

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Portion of the proceeds from Legacy Brick sales will be donated to Folds of Honor scholarship funds

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars, minor league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have announced a new military partnership with Folds of Honor. Both organizations will work together on multiple initiatives including the Legacy Brick program, Military Appreciation Night and Hometown Heroes.

The Cougars launched the Legacy Brick program prior to the 2015 season. Fans can purchase a custom legacy brick etched with a special message, their name or the name of a family member or friend. All bricks are permanently displayed outside Northwestern Medicine Field near the entrance to Gate 3. Moving forward, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each legacy brick will benefit Folds of Honor and the work that they’re doing to provide scholarships for the dependents of our military heroes.

For more information about brick sizing, visit kccougars.com.

“The Folds of Honor mission is singular, to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of wounded and fallen service members,” said Larry Robinson, Advisory Member for the Chicago Board of Directors. “In 12 short years, we have been able to provide almost 25,000 scholarships, which helps military families achieve their dream of attending college. We are honored to partner with the Kane County Cougars to help us on our mission to honor their sacrifice and educate their legacy.”

In addition to the Legacy Brick program, military members, both active duty and veterans, are honored throughout the season with a special night set aside to celebrate and show appreciation. In addition, select nights feature a Hometown Hero who is honored on the field in-between innings for their heroic actions and service.

“As an organization, the Kane County Cougars are very passionate about our support for America’s men and women that have been deployed around the world to protect our freedom,” said Curtis Haug, Vice President and General Manager of the Cougars. “We are proud to partner with Folds of Honor Chicago to assist in their quest to provide educational support for the families of America’s fallen and disabled service members.”

The Cougars 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. For updates on tickets and promotions, follow the Cougars on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Ballpark Digest Honors Cougars for Commitment to Charity

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars, minor league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been announced as the 2019 Ballpark Digest Commitment to Charity Award winner. Since 2015, the award has been handed out to the team that has shown growth in their charitable giving and community programs making the Cougars one out of 160 teams across the country to be recognized by Ballpark Digest for their charitable outreach this season.

In 2018, the organization announced A Million Smiles campaign with a fundraising goal of $1 million. The goal was surpassed thanks in part to over 20 local programs that have been put into place via the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, including the Cougars Reading Club and the Summer Reading Program which helped raise over $750,000.

This season, two new programs were implemented to expand the organization’s community outreach with Mental Health Awareness and Deaf Awareness Night. Local charities were selected that focus on improving the quality of lives for those who deal with mental illness and hearing impairments. For each strikeout recorded by a Cougars pitcher during those two nights, the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation made a $100 donation with a portion of the total proceeds provided to the selected charities.

Another unique program that was recently implemented is in partnership with AmazonSmiles. Fans who purchase items on Amazon can select the Kane County Cougars Foundation as their desired charity to receive one percent of the purchase and assist in the expansion of the Foundation’s local reach.

“Our goal has always been not only to give back to our community, but also to honor the people of our community,” said Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “Each of our programs is focused on how we can give back and it has helped us to strengthen our community relationships. When people hear the name Kane County Cougars, they know that we are about more than just baseball.”

The Cougars 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6::30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. For updates on tickets and promotions, follow the Cougars on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.