Feels like spring as Kernels hold PA, on-field tryouts (w/video)

CEDAR RAPIDS - This definitely had the feel of opening day.

Crisp and chilly jacket-wearing weather that reminded you of early April. The public-address announcer reading the starting lineup.

Over and over and over again.

"It's been 25 years since the P.A. position has been open," said Cedar Rapids Kernels Assistant General Manager Scott Wilson. "All of us were curious to see what the public interest was in that position."

It was quite good, thank you, as 31 people showed up Sunday afternoon to Veterans Memorial Stadium to audition for open public-address and on-field announcer positions. Longtime PA man Dale Brodt retired after a quarter-century behind the microphone, while Carla Davis is moving on after a decade as on-field hostess.

Hopefuls read scripts provided by the Kernels. They included KGAN-TV's Jared Arons and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders PA guy Evan Hrabak.

Former local radio personality and Cedar Rapids Conventional and Visitors Bureau CEO Tim Boyle was there, too.

"I've always had a love of baseball and a love of performing," Boyle said. "You can't beat fun at the old ballpark, as they say."

That's what had guys like Chad Cooper showing off their vocal cords. Cooper has done broadcasting for Mid-Prairie High School sports, as well as Kirkwood Community College men's and women's basketball.

"You're kind of on the run," Cooper said. "You get here and you've got about 10 to 15 minutes to prepare. Still, I think I did pretty well."

Perhaps the most interesting candidate was Bob Teig. A season-ticket holder whose son, Jon, is a batboy for the Kernels, Teig recently retired after 31 years as an Assistant United States attorney.

"I retired from prosecuting," Teig said. "I did some radio work in college a long time ago and want to get back into it. If not, I'll just go back to my seat in the front row."

The Kernels said they were unsure what they would do with the public-address and on-field host positions. There is the possibility several people could handle the duties throughout the upcoming season.

Here is video of Tim Boyle's audition.