Beautiful music ... at least before the Kernels' game Saturday night

CEDAR RAPIDS - Timothy Hankewich said he was way more nervous after directing Orchestra Iowa last night than during. That's when he had ceremonial first-pitch duties.

Twirling a conductor's baton comes naturally. Throwing a baseball does not.

“I was praying to God to not throw it in the dirt,” Hankewich said, prior to the Cedar Rapids Kernels' 4-1 loss to Quad Cities before 4,715 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “I could throw it 10 feet over his head, and that'd be OK. But don't throw it in the dirt.”

Hankewich didn't exactly throw a strike but close enough. Especially considering he hit a home run with Orchestra Iowa, as it successfully performed “Good Vibrations: Music of the Beach Boys.”

It's the third time in four years Orchestra Iowa has played before a Kernels game in what has become quite the tradition. Last year, the orchestra played music from Earth, Wind and Fire and Blood, Sweat and Tears, and it was The Eagles three years ago.

“It's a great way for us to end our season,” Hankewich said.

It's a win-win situation for everyone.

“We came for the concert and decided to stay for the game,” said Ethel Baker of Cedar Rapids.

Orchestra Iowa rents a huge portable stage that is trucked in from Kansas and wheeled onto the infield around the second base area. The concert concluded about an hour prior to game time, the stage was torn down and whisked away - without a hint of damage to the field.

Wooden planks are put down for the semi to drive on and off, so it's not as if the truck is touching bare dirt and grass. But, still ...

“After the floods of 2008, (executire director) Robert Massey called me and asked if this was something we would consider,” said Kernels Assistant General Manager Scott Wilson. “The conversation was scary because you're talking about a 22-ton semi driving on and off our infield.”

The Kernels (22-26) were held to four hits by four QC pitchers. Eswarlin Jimenez (1-3) threw 8 1/3 innings but took the loss.

The teams play a double-header Sunday afternoon at 2, with Cedar Rapids expected to start Brian Diemer in one of those games. He pitched for the Kernels last season and has been on the disabled list for high-Class A Inland Empire, where he is expected to eventually return.

Daniel Reynolds is expected to join the club on a permanent basis this week, with starting pitcher Michael Clevinger placed on the disabled list. He injured his elbow during a start last week, had an MRI Saturday and could miss significant time.

Here is a copy of the game boxscore:

Scoreboard _ Midwest League Scoreboard