Homerun derby hits it out of the park

A softball homerun derby came to Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium Thursday night.

The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department held their first 12” Softball Homerun Derby. Five area softball players competed in the event with amazingly 18 of the 50 swings going out of the ballpark.

The winner, Nick Nissen representing the Chrome Horse, won the contest with 8 homeruns on 10 swings. He was awarded a trophy by the Recreation Department and $50 in Kernels Cash.

The Kernels and the Recreation Department look forward to this becoming an annual event prior to a Kernels game.

After the contest, the Chrome Horse softball team was honored for competing in their 21st consecutive season. During the regular scheduled game that followed, the Kernels were defeated by the Clinton Lumberkings 8-4 in front of 3,260 fans.