Kane County Cougars ready for 20th season

It was a risky venture when the Kane County Cougars launched their inaugural season at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva in the spring of 1991.

"I think everybody had some kind of doubts," said general manager Jeff Sedivy.

With not one but two local professional baseball franchises to compete against, viability was the central issue.

But the organization, first affiliated with Baltimore, later Florida and now the domain of the Oakland A's, molded its product and lured its audience on a combination of affordability and family solidarity.

The measure of the Cougars' success - three expansions to the seating capacity over the last two decades.

Instead of being overwhelmed by the highly partisan fan bases of the White Sox and Cubs, Sedivy said, the two major-league franchises have learned invaluable lessons "because of us."

The Cougars will open their 20th season Wednesday against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in Appleton and return to begin their home schedule against the Burlington (Iowa) Bees on Sunday at 1 p.m.

For the second straight season the Cougars will have a youthful pitcher on their staff who made lasting impressions on the local prep baseball scene.

Kenny Smalley, who starred at Batavia and St. Charles North, was the Cougars' first local product last season.

The honor this year goes to 18-year-old Ian Krol, the youngest member of the Cougars' 25-man opening-day roster who helped lead Neuqua Valley to the Class AA state championship as a sophomore in 2007.

"Spring training (in Phoenix) went by very fast," said Krol, a southpaw who turned down a scholarship to the University of Arizona when the A's selected him in the seventh round last year. "This is exactly where I wanted to be. I love it. I am more comfortable staying at home."

In baseball parlance, talented left-handed pitchers are highly coveted commodities.

"It's almost unfair," Krol said. "It's hard for the hitters to pick up the ball. (Being left-handed) is a complete advantage."

Krol will make history when he faces his first batter; the life-long Naperville resident will become the first player in franchise history born after the Cougars' first game was played.

Aaron Nieckula, who begins his second stint as Cougars manager tomorrow night in Appleton, likens Krol to White Sox ace Mark Buehrle.

"I think (Krol) has the ability to pitch in the big leagues some day," Nieckula said. "His potential is limitless. He pitched very well in spring training. Hopefully he can replicate that success during the regular season."

With a dozen pitchers on their roster, the Cougars enter the season with optimism underscored by a solid work ethic.

"That's all we can ask as coaches is for them to play hard," Nieckula said. "We are pretty solid defensively. We have some guys who can really run the bases."