The Kane County Cougars, Class-A affiliate
of the Kansas City Royals, have announced
that a Veeck Family "Night of 100
Promotions" will take place on Thursday,
August 11 at Elfstrom Stadium. As part of
the 6:30 p.m. game that evening, the Cougars
will feature a total of 100 promotions
occurring before, during and after the game.
The Cougars are also welcoming several
special guests as part of the event, as
former Chicago White Sox organist Nancy
Faust, baseball executive Roland
Hemond and sports promotions visionary
Mike Veeck are scheduled to attend.
Fans, who can receive a complete list of all
100 promotions upon entering Elfstrom
Stadium that evening, can expect surprises
and fun around every turn on August 11 as
the Cougars play host to the Peoria Chiefs,
a Chicago Cubs farm team. The Cougars will
be paying homage to several widely-known
ballpark promotions that have taken place
over the years and hold particular
importance for Chicago baseball fans.
Ballpark Shower. During the game,
fans can cool off by enjoying a ballpark
shower similar to the one installed by Bill
Veeck in the outfield bleachers at Comiskey
Park.
Record Toss Contest.
Randomly-selected fans will compete in a
record-tossing contest, paying homage to
Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park in
1979. Fittingly, the post-game fireworks
show on August 11 will be themed to disco
music.
Ivy Seed Giveaway. To commemorate the
installation of the outfield wall ivy at
Wrigley Field in the 1930's, several fans
will be awarded ivy seeds that evening.
Nancy Faust Performance. Long-time
White Sox organist Nancy Faust will bring
her organ to perform during the game,
including "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
during the seventh inning stretch. Don't be
surprised to hear Faust play her famous
rendition of "Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye" if an
opposing pitcher from the Peoria Chiefs is
chased out of the game.
Other notable items on the list of "100
Promotions" for that evening include the
Cougars grounds crew executing the
between-innings infield drag (in drag);
having one fan serve as "Mr. Kaboom Jr." to
push the button that sets off the seventh
inning stretch fireworks; a "Tweet your
seat" promotion; chances to "Hug an Intern";
and an opportunity for fans to play catch
inside the stadium grounds.
In addition to the fun sights and sounds
inside the park that evening, fans can win
and save big as well. Fans will have a
chance to win two complimentary season
tickets for the 2012 Cougars season. All
fans who spend $20 or more in the souvenir
shop that evening will receive 20% off; and
one lucky group will be upgraded to an upper
deck suite for the evening. The KidZone
attractions will also be free from 5:30-6:30
p.m. that evening.
Baseball enthusiasts will certainly
recognize the presence of the aforementioned
guests of the Cougars on August 11.
One of the most respected executives in
baseball, Roland Hemond has 60 years
of baseball experience and held two stints
with the White Sox as a General Manager and
Executive Advisor. Interestingly enough, the
Cougars began in Geneva in 1991 as an
affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, where
Hemond was GM at the time.
Nancy Faust completed her final
season with the White Sox in 2010 and is
regarded as one of the first performers to
bring rock and pop themes to the ballpark
organ.
In 2005, Mike Veeck was recognized by
Baseball America as one of the 25 most
influential people in baseball over the last
25 years. Mike's family started in baseball
nearly a century ago when Veeck's
grandfather was president of the Chicago
Cubs. Veeck's father, Bill, was a Hall of
Fame owner with several teams, including the
White Sox.
