Kernels get shot at Midwest League ASG in 2016

That's just three years away, believe it or not.

Seems like yesterday when the Cedar Rapids Kernels got to show off their shiny new ballpark to the rest of the league. The newer Veterans Memorial Stadium hosted the 2004 game.

Perhaps more interesting than the players who got to play in that game are some of the ones who didn't. Clinton infielder Ian Kinsler (now a major league all-star with the Texas Rangers) was selected to start but got promoted to high-Class A.

Kernels second baseman Howie Kendrick also was voted to the Western Division team but didn't play because of injury. Of course, he has become a fine player for the Los Angeles Angels.

When Bowling Green and Lake County were added to the Midwest League in 2009, clubs got together and created a random list for the opportunity to host the MWL All-Star Game. This season, it was in Dayton. Next season, it'll be at West Michigan.

Then it's Peoria in 2015, and Cedar Rapids the following year.

"I think it'll give us a great opportunity to show everyone the progress this city has made since the floods of 2008," said Kernels General Manager Doug Nelson.

Here is the complete list of MWL All-Star Game sites through 2025. Nelson said clubs can sell the rights to host the game to another city if they wish, with that possibility likely coming up in 2017 with Burlington.