Cougars Earning National Attention in 25th Season
It wasn’t certain as of 9 p.m. Thursday whether the Kane County Cougars would be able to complete the opening game of their 25th anniversary season. The Cougars were tied 0-0 with the Cedar Rapids Kernels after five innings of a game delayed by rain, lightning and a tornado watch.
But one thing is for certain: The Cougars’ silver-anniversary season already is full of fun, surprises and a great deal of national attention, not the least of which are the headlines from its newest culinary creation, the fabulous $12 Heart Attack Burger.
The half-pound beef patty is topped with grilled onions, a fried egg, slice of melted cheddar cheese, chipotle bacon mayo, two strips of bacon with a pair of grilled cheese sandwiches serving as its bun. The burger will be available at Ozzie’s Grill, located on the concourse level behind home plate.
The HAB already has made the sports-food all-star team, with features in USA Today, Yahoo!, SI and several other major news outlets.
More New Food
CREDIT: Kane County Cougars
While the Heart Attack Burger might be the cleanup hitter, the rest of the food lineup looks pretty formidable, as well.
Considered the Cougars’ signature item, the barbeque pork chop sandwich will be available at the Wannemaker’s Outside Grill, located on the first base side of the ballpark concourse. The 10-ounce boneless butterfly pork chop is smothered in barbeque sauce and has been a Cougars staple for years. The outside grill location will also entice fans with the polish footlong, Italian beef and combo, meatball sub and roasted corn along with burgers and hot dogs served right off the grill.
Barbeque fans will continue to show their unwavering support of the barbeque pulled pork sandwich, which is slow cooked for 12 hours and then pulled and tossed in a tangy barbeque sauce. The sandwich is available at the Cougars’ four main concession stands on the concourse level.
The fan anticipation is high for Raging Cougar Ale, the Cougars’ new specialty beer that was created by Two Brothers Brewing Company and formally announced in February. Best described as a light and hoppy pale ale, golden in color with a nutty, caramel malt flavor, Raging Cougar Ale will be available in a 20 oz. draft for $7.50 and on tap at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark for Cougars games this season. The beer is the first of its kind as the Cougars are the only organization in the 16-team Midwest League to currently feature its own branded beer. Through a partnership with their Major League affiliate, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cougars are believed to be the first team across all of Minor League Baseball to have their own branded beer available at the ballpark of their big league affiliate.
The Cougars’ popular Craft Beer Cave, located on the third base side of the concourse, is a large walk-in cooler that typically features 20-25 specialty craft beers for fans to choose from.
The Bobak’s sausage cart, located behind home plate on the concourse level, will feature the Ozzie Dog (a half-pound hot dog) with grilled onions, polish footlong and Italian sausage. The South of the Border cart, located on the third base side of the concourse, is back with the popular Super Nacho that includes a choice of two meats (chicken or beef), rice, refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onions, nacho cheese and sour cream. The Cougars will debut a burrito bowl at the same location with margaritas being sold there as well.
Other new items this season include a chicken Caesar salad as well as a new dessert item, Oreo churros that includes a vanilla dipping sauce to resemble the inside of an Oreo cookie.
For more information on the Kane County Cougars and the organization’s upcoming 25th anniversary season which begins on April 9, fans can visit kccougars.com. Fans are also encouraged to ‘like’ the Cougars on Facebook while following the team via Twitter and Instagram at kccougars.
NASDAQ Headlines, as Well
CREDIT: Kane County Cougars
The Cougars were recently featured on the NASDAQ building in Times Square with a special message promoting the 25th anniversary campaign. The Cougars are believed to be the first team in Minor League Baseball history to be prominently featured on the famous MarketSite Tower that illuminates one of the most recognizable locations in the world.
Located at 43rd and Broadway in New York City, the high-tech electronic display is more than seven stories tall and wraps around the cylindrical NASDAQ building, providing up-to-the-minute financial news, market highlights, and advertisements. The MarketSite Tower is featured in films, television programming, and news articles. This modern day icon illuminates Times Square 24 hours a day. NASDAQ Market Site receives worldwide coverage for opening and closing bell ceremonies when US markets are open as well as the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop ceremony.
The Cougars, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, were the first Class-A Minor League Baseball team to reach 10 million fans in 2013 and were named Minor League Baseball’s “Team of the Year” in the 2014 MiLBY Awards. Last season’s team won the Midwest League championship while breaking numerous franchise records, including most wins in a single season with 91.
SOURCE: Kane County Cougars
