Metro Sports Report

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Did not play Saturday in Boston's 5-3 loss at Tampa Bay. Year to date -- BA - .279, AB - 183, R - 21, H - 51, RBI - 14, 2B - 17, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), MWL) -- Started in left field Saturday and was 2-for-5 with a double and run scored in the Loons' 9-3 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits. Year to date -- BA - .265, AB - 343, R - 46, H - 91, RBI - 49, 2B - 27, 3B - 6, HR - 5, SB - 12.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), NWL) -- Started at third base Saturday and was 1-for-4 with a sacrifice fly in Vancouver's 9-3 loss at Boise. Vancouver totals -- BA - .176, AB - 85, R - 13, H - 15, RBI - 13, 2B - 5, 3B - 0, HR - 2, SB - 1.

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Started in right field Friday and was 0-for-3 with one run scored and an outfield assist in Boston's 3-1 win over Tampa Bay. Year to date -- BA - .279, AB - 183, R - 21, H - 51, RBI - 14, 2B - 17, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), MWL) -- Started in left field Friday and was 1-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in the Loons' 8-3 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Year to date -- BA - .263, AB - 338, R - 45, H - 89, RBI - 49, 2B - 26, 3B - 6, HR - 5, SB - 12.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), NWL) -- Did not play Friday in Vancouver's 7-4 win at Boise. Vancouver totals -- BA - .173, AB - 81, R - 13, H - 14, RBI - 12, 2B - 5, 3B - 0, HR - 2, SB - 1.

Summer, and memories of water

I am lying, face down, stretched out and holding my breath, in water two feet deep. It’s the baby pool in Bever Park in Cedar Rapids, and I am teaching myself to swim. I’m six years old.

The year is 1942. My little brother sits near the pool’s rim, splashing. My mother rests on a bench, watching. We have come here by bus from Marion. It’s the safest place she knows for kids to play in the water.

I make small, dog-paddling movements with my hands. The water isn’t deep enough for a full overhand stroke. My effort takes me a few feet into shallow water, where my stomach scrapes the brown concrete bottom of the pool. I lift my head out of the water, take a deep breath, turn, bury my face in the water again and start paddling in the other direction.

I do this for an hour, back and forth like a caged dolphin. I’m ready for a bigger pool.

All-Star Game had strong Kernels flavor

For suspense and competitive balance, the Major League all-star game in Kansas City Tuesday night was not. In fact, the way the 8-0 National League win turned out, the Kansas City Royals probably could have played as well.

But from the local standpoint, to see three Cedar Rapids Kernels graduates in that type of atmosphere was a thrill.