Sandberg returns to Wrigley Field

CHICAGO – There were no fights or ejections Tuesday, just a minor league baseball game at a major league park.

Led by former Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Famer, the Peoria Chiefs played a 6-6 tie with the Kane County Cougars. The game was suspended in the ninth inning by rain in the first minor league game in the 94-year history of Wrigley Field.

The game was a welcome diversion for the Cubs’ Single-A affiliate Chiefs, who were involved in a massive brawl with the Dayton Dragons last Thursday that saw 15 players and both managers ejected after a 10-minute skirmish.

“I’m pretty excited about the opportunity. I think it’s a big thrill for all of us to be here,” Sandberg said before the game. “I talked to them about (the fight). This is all a learning situation for them.”

The Chiefs and Cougars played in front of 32,103 fans, smashing the Midwest League’s single-game record of 14,492. It was the fourth game in Midwest League history played in a major league park.

Greg Dowling homered for Kane County and Petey Paramore had a three-run double. But 2008 first-round pick Jemile Weeks left the game in the first with an apparent leg injury.

Rebel Ridling and Brandon Guyer each homered for Peoria.

Sandberg, the North Central High graduate in his second year as Chiefs manager, was away during the fight while attending Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y. Latin American field coordinator Carmelo Martinez acted as manager in his place.

“I would say if I was there it would not have happened. That’s what I would hope,” Sandberg said. “If I had to do it all over again, I don’t think I would have gone to the Hall of Fame under those circumstances.”

Julio Castillo, who started for Peoria on the night of the fight, was arrested on a felony assault charge after he threw a ball that flew into the stands and hit a fan in the forehead, sending the 44-year-old man to the hospital. Castillo was released on a $50,000 dollar bond and was reassigned by the Cubs to the Rookie League in Mesa, Ariz.

Suspensions are expected to be announced later this week.