The Cedar Rapids Kernels, a Single A affiliate of Anaheim, play at Veterans Memorial Stadium which was built in 2002, seating 5,300 fans. 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 Beloit Snappers. The Kernels starting pitcher Trevor Bell, 2005 1st round draft pick by the Angels, gave up 5 runs in the first three innings before being pulled. I have never seen so many radar guns being used at a game. There were at least 9 pointed at him as he was pitching. There were between 15 and 20 scouts sitting in the rows in front of us. The second and closing pitchers shut the Snappers down as the Kernels came back to win 9-5. The box score was Snappers R-5, H-12, E-1 and Kernels R-9, H-11, E-1. The field lines are RF-325', RC-390'-403', CF-400', LC-407'-378', LF-315'. We saw the worst collision ever when a Snappers player collided with the Kernels catcher who was blocking home plate. They were both flat on the ground after the collison. The Kernels catcher was taken to the hospital for observation. Mr. Shucks is the mascot. They continue to have the giant eyeball race. Attendance was 2,407 on a warm 88 degree evening game. New logo in 2007. Affiliated with Minnesota in 2013. 2013--Affiliated with Minnesota. High A playing in Central League, West Division.
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.