If you want to meet the Cougars’ new skipper, former Red Sox manager Butch Hobson, have a great dinner and get your game face on for the Cougars 2017 season, you’d better act fast.

The Kane County Cougars have announced that they will hold this year’s “Meet the Diamondbacks” event on Friday, Jan. 27, followed by a free coaches clinic on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Seating is limited — and similar events in the past have sold out.

Meet the Diamondbacks, held inside the Super Suite banquet room on the upper level of Northwestern Medicine Field, builds the anticipation of Opening Night, which will take place on Thursday, April 6, when the Cougars host the Clinton LumberKings.

Admission is $49 and includes an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring marinated grilled chicken, rustic cod with a lemon butter sauce, a beef tenderloin carving station, macaroni and cheese as well as complimentary draft beer and wine throughout the night. A cash bar will also be open for additional beverage purchases. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a social hour with dinner starting at 7 p.m. followed by a question and answer session with the Diamondbacks guest speakers from 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Speakers for this year’s event include Hobson, who was recently named the 18th Cougars manager in franchise history, along with other members of this season’s field staff including pitching coach Rich Sauveur, hitting coach Jose Amado and Arizona Diamondbacks Infield Coordinator Gil Velasquez.

Fans can call 630-232-8811 to order tickets or visit kccougars.com to reserve their spot.

The following morning, the Cougars will hold a free Coaches Clinic featuring professional instructors from both the Cougars and Diamondbacks organizations. The clinic will take place from 9 a.m.  to 11:30 a.m. in the upper deck level of Northwestern Medicine Field.

While open to the public, the Coaches Clinic is intended for adult coaches, and attendees are encouraged to bring video recorders as well as note pads for their convenience. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit each station and learn valuable pointers in each area of the playing field while practicing techniques and coaching style. Doughnuts and coffee will be provided.Attendees are asked to RSVP to the Coaches Clinic by calling the Cougars front office at 630-232-8811 or by emailing Sean Freed at sfreed@kanecountycougars.com.

About the Coaches

Butch Hobson is the 18th manager in Cougars franchise history. This season will be his first with the D-backs organization having previously spent three seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox (1992-94), the very team that he made his MLB debut with in 1975.

In 2008, he was named Manager of the Year with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) and most recently spent five seasons as the manager of the Lancaster Barnstormers (2011-16) also of the ALPB.

A two sport athlete at the University of Alabama, Hobson was the backup quarterback under Bear Bryant before being drafted by the Red Sox in the 8th round of the 1973 Amateur Draft. He went on to spend eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the Red Sox (1975-80), Angels (1981) and Yankees (1982). In 738 MLB games, he batted .248 with 107 doubles, 98 home runs and 397 RBI.

Hobson’s staff includes pitching coach Rich Sauveur, hitting coach Jose Amado, coach Darrin Garner, athletic trainer Joe Rosauer and strength and conditioning coordinator Matt Tenney.

Sauveur is in his second year with the D-backs and is the only returning member of the Cougars staff for the upcoming season. Last year, the Cougars pitching staff led the Midwest League with a 3.06 ERA. Amado begins his second season in the D-backs organization after spending the 2016 season at Short-Season A Hillsboro. Garner, who also enters his second season with the D-backs, managed the Rookie Level AZL D-backs last year.

Mike Benjamin, who served as the Cougars manager last season, is the new skipper for Rookie-Advanced Missoula while former Cougars coach Shawn Roof has been promoted to manager for the Hillsboro Hops. Athletic trainer Chris Schepel has also been promoted to Class-A Advanced Visalia.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 151 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber. For updates on tickets and promotions for the 2017 season, follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.