Cougars offer contest to name 100th to reach MLB
The Kane County Cougars have announced the "100th Cougar Contest" in conjunction with a potential milestone for the franchise this season.
To date, 96 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues since the organization's inception in 1991. Cougars staff are anticipating the possibility of the 100th former Cougar debuting in the Majors sometime this season.
Beginning this week, fans can submit a guess at kccougars.com and predict who the 100th former Cougar will be. Kane County front office staff members have selected nine players as possible candidates. Fans can choose one of those players, or select an other player if they believe the 100th Cougar will be someone not listed on the entry blank.
The contest will continue until the 100th former Cougars player makes his Major League debut. At that time, one winner will be selected at random from all of the correct entries received to win an authentic Cougars home jersey with special No. 100 embroidery.
"As the only professional baseball team affiliated with Major League Baseball in the Chicago area, we are extremely proud of the Cougars alumni that have graced Elfstrom Stadium over the years," Cougars General Manager Jeff Sedivy said in a statement.
"Many of our fans can recall seeing former Cougars such as Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett begin their professional careers in Kane County, and this contest gives all of our fans an opportunity to reconnect with our alumni and be part of a significant milestone for our organization."
College baseball
AU honors:ŒAurora University baseball swept the Northern Athletics Conference baseball weekly awards with senior pitcher Casey Friend and sophomore outfielder Tony Wellner being named the NAC Baseball Pitcher and Hitter of the Week.
Friend and Wellner led AU on the week in which the Spartans went 2-1 with a pair of victories over Monmouth College (19-5 and 4-2) and a loss to nationally ranked Augustana College (6-5 in 10 innings). Friend threw a complete game victory over Monmouth allowing only 3 hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Wellner was 10-for-13 (.769) with a home run, 3 doubles, 5 runs scored and 5 RBI. His home run was his first of the season.
The Spartans return to action at noon Saturday when they host Rockford College in the Northern Athletics Conference and Solfisburg Park home opening doubleheader.
Boys basketball
All-Star game:ŒTickets are still available for the 2008 Chicago High School Classic, an all-star game featuring some of Chicagoland's finest boys basketball players.
This year, the Champs Slam Dunk Contest and 3-point Shootout and all-star game will be taking place at Niles North High School at 6:30 p.m. April 4.
Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for high school students with ID and high school coaches, $5 for children under 14 and senior citizens, and free for kids under 5 years old. Group rates are also available. Tickets can be bought online or at the door.
There are 6 players from the Daily Herald circulation area participating in the event. They are Bartlett's Kamil Janton (who has committed to Eastern Michigan), Driscoll's Jake Lindfors (Albany), Jacobs' John Moran (Northern Iowa), Glenbard West's John Shurna (Northwestern), Stevenson's Kevin Stineman (SIU-Edwardsville) and Fenton's Gozie Umeadi (undecided).
Shurna is one of 6 participants in the dunk contest and Moran is one of 6 in the 3-point shootout.
For more information on this event, go to chicagohighschoolclassic.com.