Kernels play twice Saturday; first game free

Sometimes great ideas just pop up.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels were given an extra home game a couple of weeks ago when the final game of a series at Beloit was rained out. Since the teams don't play again in Wisconsin, the rained-out game was moved to Cedar Rapids as part of what is now a five-game series that begins tonight at Memorial Stadium.

Kernels General Manager Jack Roeder had a recent conversation with Andrea Murphy, the team's director of tickets and group sales, about whether it would be best for ticket sales if the extra game was part of a doubleheader tonight or Saturday.

“She kind of mentioned ‘Why don't we have a day-night doubleheader?'” he said.

Voila. The Kernels will have that day-night twin-bill Saturday, and the day game at 12:35 features free general admission. The Kernels are seeking donations for the Salvation Army's flood relief.

“We just thought it was a great opportunity for our community,” Roeder said. “This doubleheader was a gift to us. We feel this is a win-win situation for everyone.”

Roeder said the club spoke to the parent Los Angeles Angels, Beloit, Minor League Baseball and Midwest League President George Spelius to make sure the unique-to-the-minors doubleheader would be OK. Both games will be seven innings, and the ballpark will be cleared between.

The nightcap will begin at 6:35 with ticket purchase necessary. There will be postgame fireworks.

“If you really look at it, in so many ways this was the right thing to do,” Roeder said.