Cougars, Chiefs excited to play at Wrigley

CHICAGO -- For many Midwest League players, the closest they'll come to Wrigley Field is watching the Cubs play on clubhouse televisions.

For two of those Class A teams, TV becomes reality on Tuesday.

The Peoria Chiefs and the Kane County Cougars will play the first Minor League game in the ballpark's 94-year history in the "Road to Wrigley" matchup on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. CT.

The game represents an opportunity for entry-level players -- Peoria's Cubs prospects and Kane County's A's prospects -- to experience a Major League atmosphere. It puts an image in their minds of the ultimate goal.

"I know as a team, we watch the Cubs games on TV every chance we get, which is every game at home," said Peoria manager and Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. "Sometimes for these young guys, a place like that seems a million miles away. Now they get to play a game there and experience that. It's a chance of a lifetime."

Sandberg will no doubt be a major draw. But he wants the onus to be on the players, some of whom may miss out on the game after an incident between Peoria and Dayton on Thursday resulted in 15 ejections. Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo has already been arrested on a felony assault charge for hitting a fan with a ball, and more players could be suspended.

Some of the guys on these teams will never make it to the big leagues. They realize just how unique this event is.

"To experience playing on a big league field -- some guys never get that opportunity," said Kane County second baseman Jemile Weeks, brother of Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks. "Myself, to be able to do that now, so early in your career, for some guys, at least you can say you did that."

The idea of a Minor League game gained steam in the spring. Kane County manager Aaron Nieckula first heard of it at a pregame home-plate meeting with Sandberg earlier this season.

"I don't know if he was supposed to say anything, it was just casual conversation," Nieckula said. "He was like, 'Hey, I think we might be playing in Wrigley Field some time in July.' He said it was still in the works, but it looks like it may happen. ... As soon as I found out, I didn't tell the [players], I wanted to wait. I told my family, and they were excited. I was like, 'Wow, this is going to be a cool event. This is going to be really cool.'"

The popularity spread to the fans, too. The Cubs made additional tickets available for the game three weeks ago due to rising demand. Advanced ticket sales have reached 26,000, destroying the Midwest League's single-game attendance record of 14,492. A packed crowd just adds to the big league experience.

"It's going to be unbelievable, especially for a lot of these guys who are a lot younger than I am," said Peoria pitcher Jon Mueller, 24, the oldest player on the team. "A lot of them are fresh out of the Draft the last two years. To get the opportunity to play on the field, just get the feeling, it's going to be an amazing experience. Not many teams get this opportunity, not many times in history has it ever happened."

Every Minor Leaguer has a story, and Mueller is no exception. He might be the Chiefs' version of Crash Davis. In three years, the right-handed pitcher has spent time in low A, high A, Double-A, Triple-A and in Major League camp during Spring Training.

Mueller knows the nuances that separate the Minors from the Majors. It's not just the money and the lodging.

"In 2007, I went up to big league camp three times for Spring Training games, just seeing how guys act and seeing the way they go about their business," Mueller said. "It's a lot of fun, a lot of jokes, a lot of cards, and then it gets down to 45 minutes before the game, and they get real serious. That's the biggest thing I noticed when I was up there, that when it gets close to the game, TVs go off, cards go away. People start focusing and getting ready for the game."

Peoria designated hitter Luis Bautista sees this game as a bridge to his brother, Jose, a third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Luis has forged a future for himself with a .338 average and 11 homers through 56 games.

Bautista said his first goal for Tuesday is to blast one onto Waveland Avenue or Sheffield Avenue in batting practice. Big brother offered some pointers.

"He told me the left-right gaps are really close, so take a chance and try to put one in the stands," Bautista said. "He told me there's a lot of wind sometimes, so just play the wind. Seeing those late, late games with home runs, it's a good ballpark to try to put one in the air and see if it can fly."

Some players have thought about taking mementos from the game, be it pictures or some Wrigley dirt. Others, like Bautista, don't need a tangible souvenir.

"I always get the feeling that I'm going to actually make it [to the Majors], so I might as well leave it there," Bautista said. "Don't take anything; just leave it where it's at. I'll come back and play there again."