Cougars' banquet means season right around the corner

While baseball is usually associated with sunny skies and warm weather, the weather Friday was chilly with slushy snow on the streets from Thursday's storm.

In times like this, it's hard to imagine the Kane County Cougars' season is right around the corner, but general manager Jeff Sedivy knows the team will be taking the field before anyone realizes it.

The annual Cougars banquet and silent auction was held Friday at Riverside Receptions and Conference Center in Geneva, and that means the season will be here in about two months.

"The funny thing is, I'm a guy who hates the cold but loves the snow," Sedivy said. "Since we've moved the winter banquet to February, you really start to get fired up. … It's hard to get excited when you have a foot-and-a-half of snow on the ground, but its all heading in the right direction."

The banquet's guest speaker, former Chicago Cub Bill Madlock, entertained the full house of fans. Also getting a chance on the microphone was Aaron Nieckula, who is entering his third year as Cougars manager.

The MVP of the 2007 team, Jermaine Mitchell, was supposed to be in attendance as well, but his flight from Louisiana was canceled due to the snow.

The silent auction raised $12,000, with items like an autographed Jim Thome bat, autographed Barry Zito jersey and overnight hotel stay in downtown Chicago among some of the more popular items up for bidding.

Sedivy said the off-season at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva has been productive and that fans should expect another fun summer at the ballpark.

"The next 60 days will go fast," Sedivy said.

The Cougars just missed out on a playoff spot last year, despite a late-season surge.

"We were disappointed," Nieckula said. "We were playing so well. We wanted to carry that on into the playoffs. We had a shot. … It was unfortunate we didn't make it."