Thanks to Cougars for family fun

Saturday started out with the intention of taking my family to a baseball game. No chance of seeing the Cubs. Sox are out of town. The Brewers, nope sold out. What about the Kane County Cougars? Heard of them but have never been there.

No hassle for lines. Parking is free.

We are given free hats and a free program. The players are eager to sign autographs before the game. In fact you can go directly onto the field and get that done. It's a nice crowd in excess of 13,000.

Food choices are abundant and not a ripoff. The atmosphere is family friendly. You can even bring a blanket and sit on the grass along the outfield foul lines.

Tonight's guest entertainer is Myron Noodlebaum. He's the second coming of Jerry Lewis's nutty professor. He performs comedy skits like the San Diego chicken between innings. During the game, he was also kind enough to take pictures with my wife and daughter. Later, even Ozzie the mascot accommodated us posing for pictures.

After the game there was a giant fireworks show. You can also run the bases after the game and many younger fans did just that, with their parents watching or joining in. In line for that perk, an usher presented my wife with a bat used during the game.

Finally we got our turn to run the bases. I took a picture of our 11-year-old daughter enjoying the 360 foot jaunt. My wife and I were the very last ones to travel the bases. I pushed her around in her wheelchair. After crossing home plate another usher presented her with a baseball from the game.

On behalf of my family, we want to thank the Kane County Cougar organization for an experience we soon won't forget.

Randy F. Gollay

Buffalo Grove