Kernels Foundation baseball championship

Here is information on the Cedar Rapids Kernels' ninth-annual Kernels Foundation Championships that will be held this weekend at Veterans Memorial Stadium and other sites in town.Here is the press release from Perfect Game USA:

The 9th Annual Kernels Foundation Championship will be held this Friday through Monday (Sept. 17-20) at Veterans Memorial Stadium and 12 other sites in our area. I know everyone has busy schedules now that the high school and college football seasons have begun, but we're hopeful you might have a little time for baseball.

Hall of Fame coach Jim Van Scoyoc had knee surgery in late August, yet he'll be coaching the PG Iowa Steel club in the tournament. Those of you planning to attend the Kennedy-Dubuque Senior football game at Kingston Stadium Friday night might want to stop by Perfect Game Field before the football game and interview/film Jim in his 6 p.m. game. Jim's team will play its other pool games on Saturday and Sunday at Solon, so Friday night would be your best bet.

Some of Jim's players are Nick Day (Solon), David Yancey (Kennedy), Terrell Sykes (Kennedy), Dakota Freese (Wash) and Griffin Michael (Kennedy).

The Iowa Select Red team, featuring Austin Christensen (Kennedy) and Derrick Loveless (Solon), will play all three of its pool games at C.R. Washington with contests Saturday 11:30 a.m., Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m.

There are a record 40 teams from 11 states in the tournament this year from Michigan, Illinois, New Jersey, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri and Nebraska. There are many top high school seniors in the tournament with D-I commitments to Toledo, Kentucky, Louisville, Central Michigan, Tulane, Virginia Tech, Bradley, Kansas State, Nebraska, Iowa, Notre Dame, Creighton, Wichita State, Louisiana-Monroe, San Diego, Western Illinois, Illinois State, South Alabama and Georgetown.

The playoffs start Sunday night at 7 with the quarterfinals at four locations, including the stadium. The semifinals are scheduled for 9 and 11:30 Monday morning at the stadium, with the finals at 2 p.m.

Here's a breakdown:

Friday, 6 p.m., Jim Van Scoyoc, Stadium

Saturday, Iowa Select Red, at CR Wash, 11:30 and 2

Sunday, Iowa Select Red, at CR Wash, 11:30

Sunday, Quarterfinals, Stadium, 7 p.m.

Monday, Semifinals, Stadium, 9 & 11:30

Monday, Finals, Stadium, 2 p.m.

Thanks very much. Let me know if I can help.

Jim Ecker, Information Director

Perfect Game USA

432-2889 (cell)

298-2923 ext. 132 (work)