The Kane County Cougars welcomed a new manager and representatives from the parent Arizona Diamondbacks during a fan event last Friday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. From left: Diamondbacks Director of Player Development Mike Bell, new Cougars manager Mike Benjamin and Diamondbacks Vice President/Special Assistant to the General Manager Bob Gebhart.

There were still traces of snow on the infield of the dimly lit diamond at Geneva’s Fifth Third Bank Ballpark last Friday.

But it already felt like spring inside a spacious luxury suite as the Kane County Cougars minor league baseball team welcomed fans to an official kickoff of the team’s 26th minor league season.

About 100 guests heard new Cougars manager Mike Benjamin as well as other representatives from the Arizona Diamondbacks, linked with Kane County in the second year of a player development deal.

The 2016 Cougars will feature a mostly new lineup of young players starting their climb up the professional baseball ladder. The team has also unveiled a new logo and visual identify.

But the organization’s underlying philosophy remains unchanged. Cougars baseball means family fun at a reasonable price for Dr. Bob Froelich, the team’s principal owner, longtime general manager Curtis Haug and his staff.

The new logo features an illustration of a fiercer mascot and new color scheme. The team will introduce souvenirs and other products with the new imagery and the team will have uniforms and caps that reflect the new look.

“We’re very excited,” Froelich said. “After 25 tears you should refresh (the identity) a little.”

The Cougars play in the 16-team Class A Midwest League, the introductory level of professional baseball and starting point for young players dreaming of a Major League career.

More than 100 players have advanced from Geneva to the pinnacle of the profession, including players who landed rookie of the year honors, a MLB league most valuable player and World Series winners.

Among the latest was Chicago Cubs catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who briefly played with the 2014 Cougars and made critical contributions during the Cubs’ 2015 run to a National League Championship Series appearance.

The new Kane County Cougars logo features an illustration of a fiercer mascot and new color scheme.

The Cubs switched their Class A affiliation to South Bend after 2014 and the Arizona Diamondbacks stepped in.

Arizona supplies players, the manager and coaches. The local ownership handles all the rest, from ballpark upkeep and concessions, broadcasting rights and social media content, ticket sales and marketing and even helps find in-season local homes for players.

In the first season affiliated with Arizona, Kane County went 84-54 under manager Mark Grudzielanek. Their .609 winning percentage was the fourth-best winning of all full-season minor league baseball clubs.

Benjamin, the 17th manager in Cougars history, played 13 years in the Major Leagues and spent last season as manager of the Diamondbacks Rookie League team.

The Cougars open the 2016 season on Thursday, April 7 with a 6:30 p.m. game against Clinton.

— Spring makes early appearance as Cougars kick off 26th year in Geneva —