The Kane County Cougars, along with the city of Geneva, received special recognition as SmartAsset ranked Geneva as the fifth-best Minor League Baseball town in the United States. The Cougars recently completed their 25th anniversary season in Geneva as more than 400,000 fans attended Cougars games at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

SmartAsset calculated scores for each town based on a variety of metrics including quality of life components (unemployment rates, dining and entertainment establishments, crime figures) and game day experience (attendance figures, stadium and team win percentage).

SmartAsset rated Geneva first among all Minor League Baseball towns for its quality of life, scoring a perfect 100. Geneva was described as a “charming small town” that is “extremely safe,” while also lauding the record-setting attendance numbers set throughout Minor League Baseball.

In addition to welcoming more than 400,000 fans during the organization’s 25th anniversary season, this year’s Cougars team went 84-54 (third-best record in franchise history) while winning the Western Division second half championship. The 2015 season was the first year of Kane County’s affiliation with the Arizona Diamondbacks as the Cougars were led by former Major Leaguer and first-year manager Mark Grudzielanek. More than 130 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues. Numerous former Cougars are currently involved in the Major League Baseball postseason, including 2014 Cougar Kyle Schwarber, who has helped lead the Chicago Cubs to the National League Championship Series.

Last month, the Cougars announced the 2016 game schedule with Opening Night taking place on Thursday, April 7 against Clinton. Fans can visit kccougars.com to view and download a 2016 game schedule.

Additional details on the SmartAsset study can be found on this page of the SmartAsset website.