The Cedar Rapids Kernels, a Single A affiliate of Anaheim, play at Veterans Memorial Stadium which was built in 2002, seating 5,300. This is a nice new stadium that is part of a complex of football stadium and ice arena with an all veterans memorial in the middle. The old stadium was located in today's parking lot. There are red seats below a wide concourse within the infield, aluminum backed bleachers from first base to the right field corner, and lawn seating down the third baseline. There is a terraced party area with picnic tables around the left field corner with the "home run hottub" at the end. Suites and the press box are above the concourse and a party terrace with a few rows of seats on the first base end. There is a large scoreboard with red numbers and an excellent video screen. The Kernels were playing the Kane County Cougars. The first and winning run was unearned because a throwing error by the Kernels' pitcher allowed the runner to advance. The final score had the Cougars winning 4-0. The box score was Cougars R-4, H-10, E-0 and Kernals R-0, H-7, E-1. The field lines are RF-325', RC-390'-403', CF-400', LC-407'-378', LF-315'. Mr. Shucks is the mascot. Outfield advertising signs rotate every few minutes. They have the best minor league team Hall of Fame that we have seen. There is a race from 1st to 3rd of three eyeballs sponsored by a local eyecare provider. Attendance was just over 3,100 on a sunny, warm late afternoon start. New logo 2007.

Jim went to the game to connect up with Cass (left) Sapir who is visiting 180 baseball fields in 180 day on his Tour for the Cure. Cass's twin brother Tim (right) was with him at this time during the Tour. He is trying to raise $100,000 for the Jimmy Fund which supports children cancer patients. Cass had contacted Jim a couple of years ago about how we planned and did our road trip. At this point they were 50 baseball fields into their trip and seemed to be holding up very well. We spent a lot of the game comparing notes. It was great fun talking with them. Cass gave Jim a Florida League baseball, one of the three league baseballs that he was missing.
Attractions
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library displays authentic Czech and Slovak folk costums, glass and ceramics, maps, folk art, military artifacts and other items of Czech, Moravian and Slovak origin. A restored house reflects the lifestyle of Czechoslovakian immigrants. Fee.