"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."
Cedar Rapids Kernel's Baseball at Veteran's Memorial Stadium
Let me preface this with the fact that I had never gone to a professional baseball game in my life. I have only been to little league games in small towns. So I was quite like a little kid with my mind dreaming and swirling of what was to come. GET YOUR PEANUTS/POPCORN! I was slightly disappointed that this stadium does NOT sell fresh roasted peanuts, only prepackaged peanuts. But I got over it rather quickly.
The date: Saturday August 5, 2006
Game time: 7:00 PM
Teams: Cedar Rapids Kernel's vs. Lansing Lugnuts
Mc Donald's was Saturday's night sponsor. They handed out Cedar Rapids Kernel's replica jersey's to the first 1,000 kids. Of course I made sure we were there in time. Doors opened at 6 PM, we were there around 5:30 PM.
Once the gates opened, we entered and we were greeted by staff handing out the jersey's. They had PLENTY, I am betting more than 1,000. They were one-size fits all. My kids immediately put them on.
Next we went to find out seats. I went to the Kernel's website to find out where we would be sitting approximately, and it was between home and 1st, directly behind the Kernel's dugout.
There was plenty of concession stands and merchandise stands throughout. When we got to the aisle we would be sitting in there was a concession stand, and basically only a few people standing in line. What better time to get refreshments. This is where I got blown away a bit. I have no idea if the prices are comparable to other professional baseball stadiums, if you recall I have never been to one. Now, if I remember the prices right, a slushi was $2.50, a 20 oz. bottle of pop $2.75, small bag of chips either $1.50 or $2, hamburgers and hot dogs were around $3-$4, and a small pre-packaged bag of peanuts $3. Popcorn was affordable, a large tub (like you get at a theater) was only $3. We got 3 slushi's and one bottle of pop for $10 and change. OUCH! (at least to me, not to some) Later during the game we did buy a tub of popcorn, which was good and fresh. There were many other food and beverages to buy: beer, walking taco's, pizza slices, cotton candy, funnel cakes, subs, candy bars, and bottled water. I may be forgetting a few things.
Next we found our seats. I was VERY happy that we were not sitting on the bleachers, our seats were actual red chairs with arm rests and cup holders. They were made out of a hard plastic, but were quite comfortable to sit on.
We got to watch the field staff prepare the field. I always thought the white lines were put on with a machine, but they were not. They had some long thing that two people carried and would set on the ground and then hammer it to drop some chalk on the ground. That was interesting to watch. They also sprayed the sand/dirt/whatever it is between the bases with water. (Any one know why? I have no clue)
There was some pre-game entertainment. The Arc of East Central Iowa had a mini video and had some families walk the field. Then the town of Vinton did some awards.
Mr. Shucks, the Kernel's mascot, came out and did some dancing, waving, and greeting the fans. Mr. Shucks is always full of energy and very entertaining. Here is a http://kernelsbaseball.stores.yahoo.net/mrshucbeando.html to see what he looks like.
Some other entertainment before/during/after the game were some girls, I am guessing they were cheerleaders. They were NOT very spirited. My oldest daughter even told me 'They have no spirit Mom'. The times that they did get alot of fans attention is when the threw t-shirts and magnets into the crowds. In my opinion these girls could use some work with their enthusiasm, and maybe some coffee or something to jolt them awake/alive. Well, there was one girl that was okay, but still not what you would expect for cheerleaders/entertainment. At one point there was a guy, but he looked more like regular staff, and he got on the top of the home dugout and danced/performed with the girls, he had some spirit. I enjoyed him. Maybe he can rub off on the girls.
During the game the controllers that be would play very funny and interesting songs/clips/sayings in between pitches or when there was a strike out or a hit. That was AWESOME! My kids almost always laughed.
The kids really enjoyed watching when the players hit the baseball and it was a foul and went into the crowds. Several went back behind the stadium into the parking lot. I wonder how many people went out to get those, my kids wanted to but I did not allow it.
My older two went with my mom for some reason or another. So my youngest, Jessica who is 5, are watching the batter. Another foul, EXCEPT this time the ball was flying towards us. I figured it was going to get caught by one of the many boys w/gloves. NOPE! SMACK! It hit Jessica's chair about 1 or 2 inches from the side of her head, then bounced between the ground and some seats. A guy over a few chairs got it. She was bawling as she was very scared, I checked her over to make sure she was okay, I was right it had NOT hit her, just her chair and scared the living day lights out of her. While I was consoling her, the guy that got the ball brought it over to Jessica and gave it to her. That was AWESOME! She told him thank you twice, and was happy from then on. She felt so special to have a Kernel's baseball. Several ushers came to make sure no one was hurt, which is very thoughtful. One of them gave Jessica a certificate which is a lifetime honorary Kernels contract and it has a free small spaghetti coupon on it for Zio Johno's.
After the game, Mc Donald's also sponsored fireworks. They were GREAT! After the fireworks the baseball players gave autographs from their dug out. Jessica got her baseball signed by one of them. She was even more thrilled. :)
Overall the whole experience was FANTASTIC! I don't know if we will go again this year as my mom was the one who got the tickets, and I can't afford any tickets now. I know we would all LOVE to go again.
I HIGHLY recommend going to watch the Cedar Rapids Kernel's play baseball at the Veteran's Memorial Stadium.
Some days during the week, they have discounts on a particular food/beverage. For instance on Sundays it is $1 popcorn. Make sure you bring you glove and your game face!
Lawn seating $6, Plaza seating $7, Club seating $8, and Premier seating for $9.
*********************************************************
THOUGHT I WOULD FORGET THE SCORE DIDN'T YOU!?! HA HA
Cedar Rapids Kernels 4
Lansing Lugnuts 3
more