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Cougars Break Attendance Record |
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The Kane County Cougars hosted a franchise record 14,872 fans at the July 3 game against the Peoria Chiefs at Elfstrom Stadium. This breaks the previous single-game record of 14,492 fans, which was set by the Cougars on August 11, 2007. Long before the news broke that Cubs players Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson were scheduled to make a rehab appearance at Elfstrom Stadium on July 3, the game was a near-sellout due to the popularity of the holiday weekend. A full slate of family-friendly entertainment and excitement was on the docket and fans were ready from the outset. By 2 p.m., the game was officially a first-ever Cougars sell out, as the general admission areas as well as a large quantity of "standing room only" tickets had been secured through numerous ticket orders placed by Cougars fans. Nearly two hours before the 6 p.m. start time, a lengthy line of fans snaked in front of Gate 3 in anticipation of what was to come. Approximately thirty minutes before the game, fans were treated to a pre-game autograph session on the field with Cougars players. As game time neared, performer Tony Gordon wowed the crowd with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem. It didn't take long for the early part of the game to reach a fever pitch when Cubs All-Star third baseman Aramis Ramirez was announced. Batting in the third spot of the Peoria lineup after Reed Johnson led off the game, Ramirez drove a 2-2 pitch for a double off the top of the wall in right field. He would later score on an RBI single by Kyler Burke. Both Ramirez and Johnson had three plate appearances, both players recorded one hit and collectively scored three runs. "It was pretty good tonight - they got a packed house," Ramirez told reporters after the game, a 7-1 Peoria win. "They got a lot of people in here. The crowd was excited, even though we are on the road. But we are close to Chicago, so we got a lot of Chicago fans here." Between innings, the Zooperstars brought some hysterics to the Elfstrom Stadium crowd as inflatable mascots such as Harry Canary, Shark McGwire and Mackerel Jordan took to the field during between-innings breaks. Following the last out, fans were treated to an electrifying performance by Chicago's own, the Jesse White Tumblers, as well as an extended-length patriotic fireworks show. After the grand finale, fans were allowed onto the field to run the bases, an Elfstrom Stadium tradition that takes place after each Cougars home game. "Tonight's game possessed an electric atmosphere at Elfstrom Stadium, and we'd like to thank those in attendance for spending part of their holiday weekend with us for the historic night," General Manager Jeff Sedivy said. "For those fans who were unable to attend tonight's game due to the sellout, we'd like to remind them that we'll have a six-game homestand starting next Wednesday, including four straight nights with post-game fireworks shows." |
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