Cedar Rapids Kernels

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By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Jul 8, 2009 at 3:56 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 23, 2011 at 12:51 AM CST

Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the hometown park for KCRG-TV9 and is home to the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Veterans Memorial Stadium Profile	Kernels Strong MLB Affiliation

Cedar Rapids has been in the Midwest League since the 1960's and played in Veterans Stadium I through 2001. In 2002 the team moved across the parking lot to the east from the old one and into Veterans Memorial Stadium II .

In 2008 the ballpark name was changed to Dale and Thomas Popcorn Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. That sponsorship didn't last long and to start 2009 the name was changed to Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Perfect Game USA is a baseball related business located across the street from the ballpark.

On the outside of the park you'll find a small tribute to local and national veterans. The rest of the stadium exterior doesn't really stand out too much. It's a lot of gray and white. While there is parking outside of the ballpark on the 1st Base side, the main entrance is on the 3rd Base side. The exterior of the 1st Base side kind of gets forgotten in the scheme of things.

Once inside the ballpark there is an open concourse that traces much of the ballpark, although it does not go all of the way around the ballpark. Group seating areas are available down the left field line and on the second level down the 1st Base line. Suites and a grass berm are other seating options at the ballpark in addition to the standard seats.

One thing that is easy to miss but is worth a stop at, is the Cedar Rapids Pro Baseball Hall of Fame. It is located in the souvenir store on the concourse.

The one thing that right now makes Cedar Rapids stand out in the Midwest League is not so much the ballpark, but the fact that the team has the longest running current affiliation int he MWL. Since 1993 the Kernels have been an affiliate of the Angels.

Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium is a very nice place to watch a ballgame, but it doesn't have some of the ammentities that even newer parks have, and it is not as architecturally impressive as other ballparks built in recent years.

Be sure to check out our video stories profiling Veterans Memorial Stadium and the relationship between the Kernels and the Angels!