Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball

Kernels see 15% increase in ticket sales

Attendance for Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball games declined each of the past three years to an 11-year low of 160,064 in 2012, but the club's new partnership with the Minnesota Twins could move the needle in the opposite direction.

The preseason sale of season tickets is running 15 percent of last year's pace with opening day just three weeks away, according to Kernels General Manager Doug Nelson.

"Our season ticket total already exceeds the entire amount that we sold last year," he said. "I would say it's 100 percent attributable to the Twins and the excitement within the community."

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Kernels announce Theme Night schedule

The Cedar Rapids Kernels have announced 13 special theme nights for the 2013 baseball season.

The first theme night is April 28 with Halfway to Halloween and Candy Drop. Kids should come dressed in their favorite Halloween costume for a pre-game parade and costume contest. There will be trick or treat stations on the concourse during the game and after the game kids of all ages can go down onto the field for the Candy Drop as a helicopter flies over the stadium, dropping candy on the field.

The popular Star Wars Night returns on May 25. Jimmy Buffett Night is set for Aug. 3, featuring a postgame concert by the Cedar Island Band.

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MSR adds Kernels to lineup

The Metro Sports Report will provide extensive coverage of the Cedar Rapids Kernels minor league baseball team this season, the company announced Sunday.

The Metro Sports Report plans to cover all 70 of the Kernels' home games with a staff reporter. In addition, the MSR plans to cover the 26 road games in Davenport, Burlington and Clinton with a staff reporter as part of our daily package.

The MSR will provide in-depth coverage of the remaining 44 road games in the other Midwest League cities based on reports from the Kernels and other sources.

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Buhr joins MSR staff as baseball writer

S.D. Buhr, a lifelong baseball fan and expert about the Minnesota Twins organization, has joined the Metro Sports Report staff as a baseball writer.

Buhr will be a member of the MSR team that covers the Cedar Rapids Kernels this season.

Buhr, who lives in Cedar Rapids, has written about the Minnesota Twins and their minor league affiliates since 2010 for Knuckleballsblog.com. He is the co-founder of Knuckleballsblog.com, which is must reading for Twins fans.

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Great expectations for Twins prospects

On April 4, a new era of Kernels baseball will dawn on Cedar Rapids.

Following 20 years as an Angels affiliate, the team will take the field for the first time as the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. But outside of the small Twins logo on the sleeve of their uniforms, will local fans even notice a difference?

In a word ... yes.

After qualifying for the Midwest League playoffs every season from 2006 through 2010, the Kernels have suffered through two consecutive seasons of losing baseball. The Angels' minor league system has fallen on hard times in recent years and simply has not had many high-ceiling prospects to send through to its affiliates.

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WBC features 6 former Kernels

Six former Cedar Rapids Kernels are participating in the World Baseball Classic this year.

Erick Aybar (2003), Michael Collins (2004-05), Ever Magallanes (2007), Efren Navarro (2008), Nick Pugliese (2009) and Hainley Statia (2006) are representing their countries.

Pugliese is playing for Italy and struck out one batter in 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win as Italy defeated Mexico, 6-5, in the opening game of Pool D. Italy has advanced to the second round after defeating Canada.

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Meet The Kernels Night is April 3

The 2013 Kernels will arrive in Cedar Rapids from spring training on Monday, April 2.

The first chance to meet the team will be on Wednesday, April 3 as part of "Meet The Kernels Night" from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the ballpark.

The Kernels will open the Midwest League season on Thursday, April 4 with a home game against the Beloit Snappers at 6:35 p.m.

6th annual Spring Fling set for Saturday

The Cedar Rapids Kernels will host their sixth annual Spring Fling this Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Fans will be able to purchase single-game tickets before they officially go on sale Monday, March 18 and save $1 per ticket, including tickets for opening night on April 4 when the Kernels will face Beloit at 6:35 p.m.

The Bimm Ridder Diamond Shop will open Saturday in conjunction with the Spring Fling so fans can purchase the new Kernels merchandise and save on selected souvenir items.

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Ticket packages being sold at stadium

Season ticket packages and 10-game coupon books for the Cedar Rapids Kernels are currently on sale at Veterans Memorial Stadium or by calling the ballpark at (319) 363-3887.

Individual game tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 18 at 10 a.m.

Fans may get an early start on single-game tickets by attending the Sixth Annual Spring Fling on Saturday, March 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the stadium.