8/29 - Final home game for Iowa, now just 2 games behind Omaha

Smoke rises behind Principal Park before the game between the Cubs and the Storm Chasers in Des Moines, Iowa.

The United States flag waves in front of smoke from a fire that was happening outside Principal Park.

Cubs starter Casey Coleman pitches against the Storm Chasers during the first inning.

The Cubs' Julio Borbon celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Storm Chasers during the first inning.

The Cubs' Ty Wright hits a single against the Storm Chasers during the first inning.

The Cubs' Greg Rohan and Tim Torres watches the game from the dugout against the Storm Chasers during the fifth inning.

Cubs center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha catches a fly ball while second baseman Edgar Gonzalez attempts to catch the ball too against the Storm Chasers during the sixth inning.

The Cubs' Edgar Gonzalez singles against the Storm Chasers during the seventh inning.

The Cubs' Brad Nelson and Edwin Maysonet celebrate with teammates after Nelson scored on Maysonet's sacrifice fly against the Storm Chasers during the sixth inning.

Cubs starter Casey Coleman confers with catcher J.C. Boscan against the Storm Chasers during the seventh inning.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt makes a throw to first base for an out against the Storm Chasers during the seventh inning.

The Cubs' Edwin Maysonet tends to Storm Chasers catcher Manny Pina after Pina tagged Maysonet out at home during the seventh inning.

Cubs reliever Eduardo Sanchez pitches against the Storm Chasers during the ninth inning.

Cubs shortstop Edwin Maysonet catches a pop fly for the final out against the Storm Chasers during the ninth inning.

Cubs reliever Eduardo Sanchez and catcher J.C. Boscan celebrate their 4-2 win over the Storm Chasers.

8/29 - Visiting the Midwest League

When I saw that the Cubs' Single-A team, the Kane County Cougars, were in Iowa playing the Cedar Rapids Kernels, I knew I had to catch a game. So I drove for about two hours from Des Moines to Eastern Iowa and shot it.

It was my first ever game that I've attended that is NOT Triple A or Major League level. My first impression about Single-A?

College baseball, but without the atmosphere.

The majority of the players there were college-age kids and sure played like them. Nobody's perfect. There are some hotshots, some kids that'd never sniff the majors. And who could forget the occasional rehabbing MLB player (hint: there was one in tonight's game)?

I really enjoyed the game, even though it was sweltering hot. I enjoyed it so much that I'm thinking about doing a mini-tour of minor league baseball next summer. I would probably pick a "bus league" and try to touch each ballpark in that league.

Of course I'll bring my camera along.

Anyway, here are the photos between the Cougars and the Kernels!

An official Midwest League baseball sits in the grass before the game between the Cougars and the Kernels.

Cougars starter Scott Baker delivers against the Kernels during the first inning.

Kernels starter Jose Berrios pitches against the Cougars during the second inning.

The Cougars' Trevor Gretzky runs to first after hitting a single to left field against the Kernels during the third inning.

The Cougars' Jeimer Candelario rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Kernels during the third inning.

The Cougars' Jeimer Candelario celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run against the Kernels during the third inning.

The Cougars' Carlos Escobar celebrates his two-run home run with Jose Dore against the Kernels during the fourth inning.

The Cougars' Jeimer Candelario hits against the Kernels during the fifth inning.

Cougars left fielder Trevor Gretzky lunges for the ball as shortstop Brad Zapenas gets out of the way against the Kernels during the fifth inning.

Cougars "piggy-back" starter Jose Arias pitches against the Kernels during the seventh inning.

The Cougars' Reggie Golden hits against the Kernels during the eighth inning.

Cougars first baseman Willson Contreras steps on first base for the out and dodges the Kernels' Jeremias Pineda during the eighth inning.

Cougars shortstop Brad Zapenas turns a double play at second base beside the Kernels' Jorge Polanco during the eighth inning.

Cougars reliever Stephen Perakslis pitches against the Kernels during the eighth inning.

The Cougars' Brad Zapenas runs the bases against the Kernels during the ninth inning.

Cougars outfielders (L to R) Trevor Gretzky, Jose Dore and Reggie Golden celebrate their 9-1 victory over the Kernels.

8/14 - A Rare Day Game For Yours Truly

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt stands for the National Anthem in front of the Iowa State Capitol against the River Cats before the game at Principal Park.

Cubs starter Casey Coleman eyes the home plate before making a pitch against the River Cats during the first inning.

Cubs first baseman Tim Torres tosses the ball toward first base for an out against the River Cats during the first inning.

Cubs second baseman Edgar Gonzalez makes a play for an out against the River Cats during the third inning.

The Cubs' Jae-Hoon Ha is congratulated by manager Marty Pevey after hitting a solo home run against the River Cats during the fifth inning.

Cubs manager Marty Pevey smiles in the dugout against the River Cats during the sixth inning.

Cubs reliever Marcos Mateo delivers a pitch against the River Cats during the seventh inning.

Cubs center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha crashes into the wall as he could not come up with a catch against the River Cats during the seventh inning.

Cubs shortstop attempts to make a tag on the River Cats' Hiroyuki Nakajima at second base during the eighth inning.

Cubs reliever Zach Rosscup delivers a pitch against the River Cats during the eighth inning.

Cubs closer Brian Schlitter works against the River Cats during the ninth inning.

The Cubs celebrate their 2-1 victory over the River Cats after the ninth inning at Principal Park.

Just a few bonus pictures from Monday night when I took my Four-Legged Companion to the baseball game. 

Spike taking in the ballgame just like any other human fans. 

8/8 - Hendricks Impressive in AAA Debut

One of the Cubs' top pitching prospects, Kyle Hendricks, made his AAA debut tonight against the Fresno Grizzlies and he was quite impressive. He pitched seven innings and gave up just one run on four hits. He was perfect for the first four innings. He also had five strikeouts on the night. I'm going to like this dude.

Meanwhile, on the offense side, Iowa native Brad Nelson smacked a solo home run in the fourth inning to give the Iowa Cubs a 2-0 lead, which was more than just enough to win the game.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks pitches against the Grizzlies during the first inning.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt throws the ball to first for an out against the Grizzlies during the first inning.

Cubs catcher Chad Noble adjusts his mask against the Grizzlies during the third inning.

The Cubs' Kyle Hendricks rounds third base and scores against the Grizzlies during the third inning.

Cubs manager Marty Pevey scowls in the dugout against the Grizzlies between innings.

The Cubs' Brad Nelson is congratulated by manager Marty Pevey after hitting a solo home run against the Grizzlies during the fourth inning.

The Cubs' Brad Nelson is hugged by teammate Edwin Maysonet after Nelson hit a solo home run against the Grizzlies during the fourth inning.

Cubs second baseman Edgar Gonzalez completes a double play over the Grizzlies' Juan Perez during the fifth inning.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks pitches against the Grizzlies during the seventh inning.

Cubs first baseman Brad Nelson receives a pickoff throw as the Grizzlies' Gary Brown dives back to first base during the eighth inning.

Cubs closer Brian Schlitter and catcher Chad Noble celebrate their 2-1 victory over the Grizzlies.