Travis R. Martin, CPA

48 miles of interstate. That is all that separates Minor League Baseball’s Kane County Cougars from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs. Add a few more miles of Chicago streets and the Cougars’ market includes no fewer than five more major league franchises – the White Sox, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks and Fire.

With so many teams in such a small area, it would be easy to see how a small Minor League franchise like the Cougars, a class ‘A’ affiliate of the Oakland A’s, could get lost in the shuffle.

Instead, the Cougars are navigating their way through the crowded Chicago sports scene just fine.

Kane County General Manager Jeff Sedivy has been going head-to-head with the big boys for 18 seasons – and succeeding. “When you’re going up against them (White Sox, Cubs, Fire),” Sedivy said, “you’ve got to have your pencil sharpened and be ready to go.”

Fans Line the Berm at Elfstrom Stadium

Based on the numbers, the Cougars are more than ready to go. Last season, the team averaged 7,160 fans a night, placing them second in attendance in the Midwest League (behind the Dayton Dragons), and 17^th among all of Minor League Baseball.

Although Sedivy doesn’t have the marketing budget of the Chicago White Sox or the brand equity of the Chicago Cubs, he does have one formidable weapon at his disposal – one of the best atmospheres in all of minor league baseball.

Fans that find their way to Elfstrom Stadium, located in the West Chicago Suburb of Geneva, are treated to the sight of big league hopefuls playing in front of near-capacity crowds of knowledgeable fans while the smell of Elephant Ears and Roasted Corn-on-the-Cob fills the air.

It’s an environment that is equal parts county fair and baseball.

And then there are the promotions.

Sedivy has packed the Kane County home schedule with a variety of events, including a Jimmy Buffet theme night, 30 postgame fireworks shows, and in-game performances from acts like Myron Noodleman, the Zoopsters, and Rubber Boy. According to Sedivy, the effectiveness of Kane County’s promotional schedule is due, in part, to the amount of variety that it offers. “We try to create promotions that everyone can take part in, so there’s something for everyone – mom, dad, and the kids.”

Cougar Players Toss Logo-Balls to Fans Prior to the Game

This “something for everyone” approach led to a World Record in 2008 as the Cougars set the Guinness mark for World’s Largest Pillow Fight, a 3,800 person, feather-infused melee.

Kane County Cougar Fans Participate in the World's Biggest Pillow Fight

Despite being one of the best draws in the Minors, Sedivy has no plans to rest on his accomplishments, especially in a down economy. “A lot of people say that Minor League Baseball is recession-proof, but I don’t believe that,” Sedivy explained, “We do a lot of group sales, and right now, groups are hurting.”

For those groups that are feeling the pain of a recession, the Cougars have the perfect cure: an affordable nine-inning vacation to the county fair that is Kane County Baseball.

Young Cougars Fans Getting Autographs

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