Cedar Rapids Kernels are winning ... on the field and at the gate

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Kernels got their game in Sunday afternoon.

A rain delay in the bottom of the fourth inning of two hours and 50 minutes at Veterans Memorial Stadium couldn’t prevent them from beating South Bend, 14-2, finishing off another series win. Cedar Rapids took five of six games against the Cubs, clinching the Midwest League Western Division first-half championship and a corresponding playoff berth for a 10th-straight season.

The entire series, especially the entire weekend, was well attended, fitting the pattern of the season as a whole. Fans have continually come out to the ol’ ballpark.

Saturday night’s attendance was 5,034, the largest non-July 4 crowd since 2017. Including standing-room tickets, Veterans Memorial Stadium capacity is about 5,300.

Friday night’s attendance was 3,855, Sunday afternoon’s 3,175, which actually was less than Wednesday night’s 3,311. Not quite 5,000 people combined were at Tuesday’s and Thursday night’s games.

“After a homestand, everyone in the front office here says ‘Oh, we’re so tired,’” said Kernels General Manager Scott Wilson. “But it’s their fault, our fault. We love it.”

Through 30 games, the Kernels have a total paid attendance of 65,641, the highest ever at the “new” Veterans Memorial Stadium in that span. The ballpark opened in April 2002.

The previous 30-game high was 59,290 in 2010, the year Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout played here. For comparison sake, last season the Kernels drew 42,199 fans in their first 30 games.

That’s a heck of a bump.

“I’m ecstatic. It’s great news,” said Kernels CEO Doug Nelson. “Many factors have come together to make a perfect, positive storm.”

Nelson listed several factors, number one being the weather. The Kernels have had just one home rainout so far this season.

He also mentioned the competitiveness of the team, the community as a whole and the $3.34 million in stadium renovations that were done in the offseason. The majority of those renovations took place below the stands (new and larger clubhouses, an annex building next to the stadium that includes new batting cages and a strength and conditioning area, among other things), but a brand new video scoreboard in right-center field has been a boon for everyone.

“Then the front-office staff put together a plan with some very effective promotions and group sales,” Nelson said.

“We set some pretty high goals as a team,” Wilson said. “Our groups are stronger than ever. No rainouts has been a huge factor.”

The Kernels have three more home games left in the first half, one that’s 33 games instead of the old standard of 35. The Midwest League season as a whole has been chopped from 140 games to 132.

The 33-game home attendance record of 68,390 is sure to fall. Again, for comparison, last year the Kernels drew 51,106 fans through 33 games.

The club full-season attendance record of 195,992 (set in the first year of 2002) won’t be touched because there are four fewer home games. But any way you slice it, this has been a real good start to the season for the Kernels ... on the field and off.

Cedar Rapids (37-26) scored three unearned runs in the second inning here and four in the fourth. Jose Salas had a three-run home run for the Kernels that was followed by Andrew Cossetti’s solo shot.

After the lengthy delay, Cedar Rapids had a five-spot in the fifth. Eight of nine guys in the lineup had at least one hit, the exception being Kala’i Rosario, and he walked twice.

Monday is a day off for the Midwest League. The Beloit Sky Carp come to town for six games, beginning Tuesday.

The first three of those six will officially end the first half, the last three officially begins the second half.

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com