Cougars offer events for to welcome upcoming season
The Kane County Cougars will host a pair of events in February in anticipation for the 2011 season, its first as a new affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.
The Cougars will host a “Meet the Royals” event at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, inside Elfstrom Stadium's Old Second Bank upper deck level. The event will provide fans a proper introduction to Kane County's new affiliation with the Kansas City Royals, complete with a speakers series including Vance Wilson, first-year Cougars manager and former Major Leaguer; Royals Assistant GM of Scouting and Player Development J.J. Picollo; and Royals Director of Minor League Operations Scott Sharp.
In addition to meeting some members of the Royals family, fans can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet and complimentary draft beer. A cash bar will be available as well. Tickets are $30 for the general public and $25 for season ticket and ticket package holders. Fans can also purchase tables of eight for $200. Table space is limited and fans are encouraged to get their tickets by visiting www.kccougars.com or calling (630) 232-8811.
Also that weekend, the Cougars will hold a free coaches clinic featuring professional instructors from the Cougars and Royals organizations. The clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 5, inside Elfstrom Stadium's upper deck level. Attendees are asked to RSVP by calling the Cougars at (630) 232-8811 or e-mailing jhem@kanecountycougars.com or rkoskosky@kanecountycougars.com.
The clinic is provided free to participants as a community service from the Cougars organization.
Although open to the public, the clinic's purpose is to specifically instruct coaches. Therefore, the clinic is intended for adult coaches rather than youth players. Coaches are encouraged to bring video recorders and note pads for their convenience, and will have the opportunity to visit each station to learn valuable pointers in specific areas of on-field execution, practice techniques and coaching style. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided for attendees.
A list of clinic instructors includes:
Vance Wilson, Kane County Cougars manager. Wilson will be making his coaching and managerial debut in 2011 for the Cougars. He spent eight seasons in the Major Leagues as a catcher for the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers, and was part of the 2006 American League Champion Tigers squad.
Mark Davis, Kansas City Royals minor league pitching coordinator. Davis enters his sixth season in the Royals organization as a coach, previously spending the 2003-2005 seasons on the Arizona Diamondbacks staff. He pitched for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues and was named National League Cy Young Award winner in 1989, recording 44 saves for the San Diego Padres.
Tony Tijerina, Kansas City Royals minor league field coordinator. Tijerina enters his fifth season as a coach in the Royals organization. Tijerina was drafted by the New York Mets in the 1991 amateur draft and played for seven seasons in the minor leagues, reaching as high as Triple-A in 1995.
Andre David, Kansas City Royals minor league hitting coach. David is beginning his 13th season in the Kansas City organization and served as the Royals' Major League hitting coach during a portion of the 2005 and 2006 seasons. David was originally drafted by Minnesota and spent parts of two seasons as a player in the Major Leagues with the Twins in 1984 and 1986.
Clinic instructors are subject to change.