Fathers, kids 'relive old times' playing catch on Cougars outfield

Playing catch with his son on the Kane County Cougars outfield Sunday brought back memories for Gary Smith of Geneva.

Smith coached his son, Collin, in baseball when he was young, and the pair has participated in the Cougars' Father's Day event many times throughout the years, he said.

Now that he's older, Collin, 19, says returning to the stadium is an opportunity for he and his father to spend time playing ball together again.

"It gives us a chance to get out in the field and relive old times," Gary Smith said.

He was one of dozens of fathers who took to the field for a game of catch with their children before the Cougars game Sunday.

The Father's Day catch is a long-standing tradition for the team, said Shawn Touney, director of public relations, and one that draws large crowds every year.

"It's all about taking the family out and making it a special day for dad," he said.

It was the second time Kevin German of Glen Ellyn brought his two sons to the Father's Day event at the stadium.

"They've really taken to baseball this year," he said of his sons Luke, 7, and Westin, 4. "Every time they get on a field, they're excited."

Having never been to the stadium before, Matt Burmeister of Wheaton brought his three daughters - Rose, 5, Grace, 3, and Anne, 8 months - to check out Sunday's event. Rose, who plays T-ball, said she likes hitting the ball and being the pitcher.

"I like baseball, and I hope my kids like baseball," Burmeister said. "It's a fun time, being out here."

Carol Stream resident John Prusko, who played catch with his 2-year-old grandson AJ, said he had never been on a minor league baseball field before. His grown children brought him to Sunday's game against the Peoria Chiefs as a Father's Day gift, he said.

"It's just enormous, spending quality time with my kids and my grandson," he said. "Priceless."