What's in a name?

We apologize for some technical difficulties with posting mid-game impressions. Here is the text from the bottom of the fourth:

Rebel Ridling. In a game where Mia Hammster, Nolan Rhino and Tiger Woodschuck just cracked up the crowd with a synchronized dance, it's Rebel who made a name for himself.

With the Chiefs down 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Cubs' 25th-round pick in this year's draft slugged a two-run homer into the rightfield bleachers. Brandon Guyer followed with a homer of his own on the next pitch to give Peoria a 3-1 lead.

I have to give a shout-out to our publications intern, Zach Martin, for calling the home run. With a few of his around him discussing Rebel's spot in the hall of fame of names, Zach simply said, "This guy hits bombs." It was the Oklahoma State product's fourth in 19 games with Peoria, after also hitting four in 19 games with short-season Class-A Boise.

So much to see

From a fan's perspective, it's been a fun few innings so far. There are a lot of families and a different excitement in the crowd. Everything is more interactive, with t-shirt giveaways and kids being taken on the field between innings. The PA announcer has reacted to some fan catches ... and misplays.

But the crowd has been into the game proper, as well. Fans are not necessarily reacting to every pitch like a typical Cubs game, but it got pretty loud on the back-to-back home runs. We also heard from the Kane County contingent a bit earlier on Greg Dowling's home run that kicked off the scoring.

Oh, and everyone is anxiously watching the inning-by-inning updates of the Cubs-Brewers game on the scoreboard.

Something you've never seen at Wrigley

A mascot stealing the third baseman's glove and then throwing it into the bleachers ...