For Cougars, it's always been fans first

With the regular season about a month from wrapping up, many fans might not have realized the Kane County Cougars have been around 20 years. No matter. Time flies when you're having fun.

The organization didn't plan anything specific to recognize the milestone. After all, winning is nice, but in minor league baseball, the fans can make or break a team. So the Cougars, content with not shining the spotlight on themselves, instead continue to embrace the undying support and love they've received from the community over the past two decades.

The Cougars stepped to the plate for the first time in April 1991 at a then-3,600-seat venue, with no outfield seating and dirt mounds as lawn seats.

Elfstrom Stadium, which has always been the Cougars' home, has since seen four expansions and a complete renovation, including the transformation of the outfield into three deck areas and the addition of grass hills for lawn seating.

General Manager Jeff Sedivy, who joined the team late in its first season as an entry-level sales representative by day and concession stand cook by night, has witnessed the transformation of both the stadium and the organization, and credits those changes to the notoriety of the Cougars' brand.

"It has turned into something synonymous with family entertainment at a very affordable price, which is a great thing," he said.

Sedivy said quietly celebrating the anniversary is a "heck of a milestone, especially in this market.

"When we first opened, people thought that we weren't going to make it because we were the first minor league sport organization to test the waters in a major league market," he said.

The Cougars also had to seek approval from both Chicago major league organizations, something Sedivy believes the majors might look back on and kick themselves for.

"Five years later, I think they regretted it, because everything was being compared with what we were doing, customer service wise, fan experience wise, and they weren't liking it that much," he said.

"I think that because of it, the experience in major league games in this area has improved in how they take care of the fans, the entertainment value, the music, what have you, but I think that the experience has improved in general because of what they saw the minor league guys doing in Kane County," Sedivy said.

The organization might have taught the Cubs and White Sox a thing or two about the fan experience, and last month the Cougars tested some of their long-standing practices when they took on the Peoria Chiefs at the annual Road to Wrigley game.

Peoria, the Cubs' Class A affiliate, beat the Cougars 5-2 at Wrigley Field, but for the 8,994 fans who came out to watch, they were just happy to see their team play on the big stage.

Sylvia Bartolone of Elmhurst, and her children, Isabella and Sam, made their first visit to the Friendly Confines to see the Cougars, and plan to be back soon.

"We've lived in DuPage County for some time, and we've driven out on occasion to Kane to see the Cougars play, but competing here at Wrigley isn't something someone does every day," Bartolone said.

"It is really cool to be here because it looks so much smaller on TV and the players run really fast," Isabella added.

In addition to starting the Road to Wrigley game, pitcher Ian Krol is the first member of the current Cougars born after the inaugural season kicked off. Krol was born in May 1991.

The 19-year-old Naperville resident said stepping on the mound at Wrigley Field fulfilled a lifelong dream.

"It's just unbelievable. It's a dream come true, pretty much. ... It's definitely something to look forward to, something to aim to in the future," he said of the chance to one day become a major leaguer.

Longtime fanWhen Max Akerman heard the news of a minor-league baseball team heading to Geneva, he was intrigued.Finally, he thought, a chance to go watch the game without worrying about the hassle to go downtown to watch major league players, who he describes as "overpaid crybabies."The 72-year-old Wheaton resident and his wife, Jane, 69, were third in line to purchase season tickets for the Cougars, and have averaged 75 to 80 games per season since."I have never once regretted the decision," he said.Since retiring, he and his wife have served as house parents for many of the current and former Cougars' players, including notable alumni Scott Podsednik, Ross Gload and Mike Redman, among others, and continue to stay in touch with all but a few.Great devotion"Wild" Bill Bowers isn't your average minor league stadium employee. He's 86 years young. The Bartlett resident, clad in Cougars colors, is handing out promotional Chap Stick tubes to patrons at a recent Cougars game, his face dressed with a smile and offering warm welcomes all around.He wants to treat all his guests right. And he does."We talk to them, help them to their seats, and make sure everything is in order so that they have a good time and come back. We want to bring them back, and they love to come back," Bowers said.The 16-year veteran is one of the longest-serving employees in the franchise's history.Bowers got his start in 1994 as an usher. He was encouraged by his son, who helped him get the job several months after his wife died. Bowers quickly rose through the ranks, obtaining the head usher post in 1996.Although his duties include assigning the ushers to their posts and patrolling the grounds to ensure a positive environment, Bowers said he never missed an opportunity to get back in, working with the people he loves and staying active."On an average game night, I walk about six to seven miles during my shift, and I just love it. This job gives me a chance to get up on my feet and go do something," Bowers said.False387550Kane County Cougars General Manager Jeff Sedivy False