CHICAGO, Ill. — Former Georgia Southern University standout Greg Dowling made history at a historic ball park. Dowling and the Class A Kane County Cougars took on Midwest League rival Peoria Chiefs on July 29 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. A league record crowd of 32,103 packed into the Chicago Cubs' home field for the first minor league baseball game played there.

            Dowling gave the crowd something to remember, hitting a second inning solo home run. That home run was the first-ever hit by a minor league player in the stadium's 94-year history.

            "I was just on cloud nine running around the bases," Dowling told MLB.com. "Then I got to the dugout and everybody was smiling and started cheering a little bit. I think I kept a pretty straight face running around. It was unbelievable, it really was. For all of us that might not make it, or even if you do, it's the first time being in a big league park like that, 32,000, it was just unbelievable. I don't know how to explain it."

            Play was suspended in the bottom of the ninth tied at 6-all. The game resumed the following night and Peoria pulled out a 9-8 victory in 12 innings. The 32,000-plus in attendance shattered Kane County's previous attendance high of 14,492 set on August 11, 2007 at the Cougars' Elfstrom Stadium.

            Dowling, who represented Kane County in this summer's Midwest League All-Star game, is batting .258 in 104 games played with 41 runs scored, 27 doubles, 11 home runs, 53 RBI and 25 walks. Dowling has posted a .407 slugging percentage and is 1-for-2 in stolen bases. In the second half, Kane County currently stands 19-23, six games back in the Western Division.

LCMS softball tryouts

            Langston Chapel Middle School softball tryouts will begin today.  Girls interested need to have an updated physical and complete the athletic paperwork before trying out.             

            Packets are available at LCMS or you can contact coach Danielle White at the school for more information (681-8779).

SHS XC info session

            Statesboro High cross country will hold its parent/athlete information session for all students interested in running fall cross country on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in room 216. Middle school runners are eligible to run on the junior varsity squad. 

            There are no try-outs for cross country and all runners of any ability level are encouraged to join the team.  For more information contact coach Helen Welle at (912) 481-0738.

Gridiron Greats Peanut Boil

            The annual Bulloch Academy ‘Gridiron Greats’ Peanut Boil for former and current varsity football players and their families will be held Thursday at Gator Alley.

            At 5:30 p.m., the 2008 edition of the Gators will take on Region 2-AA foe Memorial Day School in a controlled scrimmage at Gator Alley. The event will be broadcast live on Eagle 102.9.

            At 7 p.m., a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs and boiled peanuts will be served. Each member of the team will introduce themselves and their families, followed by head coach and athletic director Clint Morgan who will introduce his coaching staff and give an overview of the upcoming season.

            Alumni football players and their families will also be introduced and given the opportunity to provide words of wisdom to the new generation of Gators.

            The Peanut Boil is a time-honored tradition of the Bulloch Academy football program and serves as a fund-raiser for a specific need. This year’s event will raise funds to help with transportation costs when the Gators go on the road.

            For more information, contact Mike Anderson at 764-9084 or 681-6257 or the Gator athletic department at 764-0715.

Match Play tourney

            The 2008 Savannah/Hilton Head City Am Match Play will be held Friday-Sunday at Crosswinds Golf Club.

            Entry fee for the tournament is $200 which includes 18 holes and at least one Match Play round starting on Saturday. The tournament is benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia.

            For more information, check www.SavGolf.com or call (912)695-5512.

8th Annual Brooklet Peanut 5K Run/Walk

            The 8th Annual Brooklet Peanut 5K Run/Walk will be held on August 16.  The race is set to begin at Brooklet Elementary School at 7 a.m..  

            The cost is $15 until Aug. 11 and $20 after Aug. 11.  Trophies and gift cards will be awarded to the top three male and female overall runners and top three male and female masters overall.  Trophies will be awarded to the top three males and females in each age division.  

            Proceeds benefit the Southeast Bulloch Cross Country and Soccer programs.  Save a stamp and register online at www.active.com, or contact Kent Brannen at 912-682-6924 or kbrannen@bulloch.k12.ga.us.

Travel Team tryouts

            Around the Horn Baseball/Softball, travel teams with the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation, will be having open tryouts on August 16 at Mill Creek Regional Park.  Around the Horn will be instructed by former college and professional athletes who stress fundamentals and skill development. 

            The team will be competing in the USSSA Baseball Division of 11, 12, 13, and 14-under and ASA Softball Division of 12, 14, and 16-under. The tryout times are: 11 and 12-under boys at 10 a.m. and 13 and 14-under boys at noon.  The girls’ softball times are: 12-and-under at 10 a.m. and 14 and 16-under at 11:30 a.m.  For further information contact Dadrian Cosby or Mitch Stafford at (912)764-5637.

BA Booster membership drive                                       

            The Bulloch Academy Boosters Club is currently holding its annual membership drive.

            The drive provides financial support for the school’s 31 varsity and junior varsity athletic teams and squads. The Boosters Club helps to provide equipment, uniforms and other necessities of the various sports. Financial and volunteer support from the Boosters also helps to maintain and improve the school’s athletic fields and facilities.

            Six levels of memberships are available and, with each level, there are different benefits such as season passes, listing in the Fall Sports program, discounts on Booster concession items and merchandise, “Booster Board” display, press box signage, banners for athletic fields, preferred parking and other items.

            Watch for a BA Boosters member to contact you or your business. For more information or to pledge support if you unfortunately do not get contacted in person, get in touch with Booster Club president Olin Lovett (682-0336), vice president Don Lanier (536-0812), Bulloch Academy athletic director Clint Morgan (764-0715) or director of institutional development Rahn Hutcheson (764-0707).

BA Program sponsors needed

            Sponsorship advertisements are currently being sold for Bulloch Academy’s 2008 Fall Sports Program.

            Both color and black and white ads are available in a variety of sizes in this glossy, high-quality publication. Spotlight your business, highlight your favorite Gator student-athlete or just show your support for Gator athletics.

            Contact BA alumnae Jessie Averitt at 687-6748 or email her at jessiea06@yahoo.com for more information or to secure your spot in the 2008 Bulloch Academy Fall Sports Program.

Little Eagles Camp

            On Saturday, Aug. 23, Georgia Southern University football will again offer the Little Eagles Camp followed by 'Meet the Eagles' presented by Trapnell Dodge. The event will take place at Paulson Stadium.

            Head football coach Chris Hatcher, his staff and players will offer the Little Eagles Camp in the morning. Sign up will take place from 9-9:45 a.m. for children ages 4-12 and the event is free. Little Eagles Camp will run from 9:45-10:45 as campers will participate in various football drills.

            Following the Little Eagles Camp, the public is invited to Bishop Field House for 'Meet the Eagles' presented by Trapnell Dodge. This will be the first chance to get the 2008 schedule posters and fans can get autographs and their picture taken with members of the Eagle Football program.

            Fans can also purchase football season tickets, the 2008 football media guides and the University Store will be on hand to sell Georgia Southern merchandise, all while meeting GUS and the cheerleaders.