Alternate site could be utilized for future American Rivers Conference baseball tournaments

CEDAR RAPIDS – For more than two decades, Memorial Stadium has hosted the American Rivers Conference baseball tournament.

Players and coaches have enjoyed the venue that serves as the home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels – the Minor League Baseball Class A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins – but changes could affect the site of the NCAA Division III national tournament qualifier.

The A-R-C and Cedar Rapids Baseball Club, Inc., have agreed to extend their relationship, hosting the postseason conference tournament. The only caveat is when the Kernels have a scheduling conflict the event will be hosted at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo.

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“Major League Baseball allows us to request the Kernels be on the road one week out of the season,” Kernels CEO Doug Nelson said about the appeal previously reserved for the A-R-C. “With securing the Iowa high school state tournament for 2026, 2027 and 2028, per a three-year agreement starting in 2026, we need to use our one-week allotment, if you will, for the Iowa high school state tournament.”

The A-R-C began holding its postseason baseball championship at Memorial Stadium in 2004. The only exceptions were when the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the Covid pandemic and the following year when it was held in two pods at Mount Mercy and in Waverly.

Riverfront, which is also operated by CRBC, Inc., is no stranger to the A-R-C. The tournament was played there from 2000-03.

“This year is our 20th year of hosting the conference tournament at Veterans Memorial Stadium,” A-R-C Deputy Commissioner Hannah Halverson said in a text message with The Gazette. “The relationships we have built with the Kernels staff over the years, between hosting the conference tournament and the Division III Baseball World Series, was important in finding an alternative site moving forward.”

Nelson said A-R-C Commissioner Marie Stroman and Halverson were very understanding and appreciated the long-term relationship. They did consider alternatives for a permanent home.

“Yes, the conference baseball coaches and administrators looked at a variety of options to move forward,” Halverson said. “Ultimately, we decided on keeping it at a neutral site and the same format of our current tournament (six-team, double elimination). With all of this in mind, it made sense to continue our partnership with CRBC at Riverfront Stadium.”

Coe Coach and head baseball coach Steve Cook said it is tough to play anywhere other than Memorial Stadium.

“I know there may be a scheduling scenario on any given year that we’ll still play it here but I have no idea how often that would happen,” said Cook, whose second-seeded Kohawks are the defending A-R-C championships and earned a first-round bye. “I think everyone feels good about working with them, moving forward, and their commitment to providing a venue that matches the importance of our conference tournament.”

Buena Vista Coach Steve Eddie said the venue change can be impactful. He expressed concern about the field conditions, especially when an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament is at stake.

“I just I think the thing that you always get when you come here is a great playing surface,” Eddie said. “It's going to be hard to top that going somewhere else, for sure.

“There's just been so many memories here – good and bad – obviously. It would be hard to see us somewhere else, but we've loved our time here. Hopefully, we get to play here as much as we possibly can.”

Coaches will have an opportunity to examine the field and offer input on what is needed for the competition. The goal is to work together for the best experience when needed.

“I will say we are meeting with the A-R-C coaches in a few weeks up in Riverfront Stadium to see if there are any issues they would like us to address, regarding the field prior to hosting the tournament,” Nelson said. “Again, it's part of that long-term partnership.”

Riverfront is home to the Waterloo Bucks wood-bat team of the Northwoods League and some high school contests. Nelson doesn’t anticipate any conflicts there.

“The reality is we won't know until late summer, early fall,” Nelson said about when MLB releases the next year’s minor-league schedule. “The Bucks’ season doesn't start until Memorial Day. During the month of May, we really utilize Riverfront Stadium for high school games and tournaments, however, their season doesn't open up until after the A-R-C tournament, so it's a perfect fit, I know we'll always be able to offer that stadium.”

The location is still convenient for most schools, including No. 3 seed Luther, which opened with a 6-2 victory over No. 6 Nebraska Wesleyan and the fourth-seeded Wartburg Knights, who beat Simpson, 8-2, before taking top-seeded Buena Vista into extra innings.

Coaches will consider many factors when they visit Riverfront.

“The least of our concerns probably are the seating and all those things,” Eddie said. “It has to come down to the playing surface and warm-up facilities and whatnot.”

“I'm sure it's going to be fine but I think we just all want to be there to see before we show up next year.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com