1. Date: July 31, 2015 To: Sports/News/Community
For More Information Contact: Shawn Touney at 630-232-8811, ext. 1243 For Immediate Release
RETURNING MILITARY MEMBER SURPRISES SON BY CATCHING HIS FIRST PITCH
FRIDAY AT KANE COUNTY COUGARS GAME
SOLIDER RETURNED THIS WEEK FROM SIX-MONTH TOUR IN KUWAIT, GREW UP IN GENEVA
GENEVA, Ill. – With the help of the Kane County Cougars team and staff, United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Joe Amore
surprised his son, eight-year old Anthony by catching his ceremonial first pitch Friday evening before the 6:30 PM game. Joe, with the
help of the Cougars, was outfitted in a Cougars team uniform and catchers gear. Immediately following the first pitch, Joe removed his
mask and revealed his identity in front of his son, bringing more than 8,000 fans to a standing ovation while Joe and Anthony were
surrounded by family, friends, and Cougars players. The Amore family and friends were guests of the Cougars for the game, a 5-1
Cougars win which included a superhero-themed fireworks show.
Joe returned this week from a six-month tour in Kuwait. A 1997 graduate of nearby Geneva HS, Joe has served the United States for
the past 15 years. He has also served in Bosnia on a United Nationals Peace Keeping Mission and was stationed in Ramstein,
Germany for five years.

2. MEDIA COVERAGE – Coverage of the special event included stories that evening by all 5 Chicago TV
news stations, several Chicago newspapers as well as multiple Chicago TV morning shows the
following Monday. ABC World News and Good Morning America also covered the event within 72
hours of the first pitch.