Explore Cedar Rapids' Veterans Memorial Stadium
Welcome to Veterans Memorial Stadium, home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Explore the city's rich baseball history, enjoy a concessions cornucopia and make sure to spend time with the a-maize-ing Mr. Shucks.
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins since 2013)
Established: 1949 (as the Cedar Rapids Rockets)
League: Midwest League (since 1962)
Ballpark: Veterans Memorial Stadium (opened 2002)
Championships: 1958 (in the Three-I League), 1988, 1992, 1994, 2023
Notable Alumni: Mike Trout, Trevor Hoffman, Ted Simmons, Rocky Colavito, Nate Colbert, Paul O'Neill, Nick Adenhart, Joe Mauer
The history of professional baseball in Cedar Rapids dates back to 1890, with prominent early entities including the Canaries, Rabbits and Bunnies. (In 2022, the Bunnies name was resurrected for the MiLB at Field of Dreams Game.) Minor League Baseball was a near-constant in Iowa's second-largest city through 1942 when the Cedar Rapids Raiders disbanded. A Central Association club named the Rockets debuted in 1949, beginning an unbroken Minor League Baseball streak that continues to this day.
Cedar Rapids joined the Class A Midwest League in 1962 and now stands as the circuit's longest-tenured club. The Kernels moniker was adopted in 1993, following nearly three decades in which the team carried the name of its parent club. Since joining the Midwest League, Cedar Rapids has been affiliated with the Milwaukee Braves (1962), Cincinnati (1963-64; '80-92), St. Louis (1965-72), Houston (1973-74), San Francisco (1975-79), the Los Angeles Angels (1993-2012) and, finally, the Minnesota Twins (2013-present).
Prior to the 2021 season, as part of a larger reorganization of Minor League Baseball, the Midwest League was elevated from Class A to High-A.
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Ballpark Location (via Google Maps)
Cedar Rapids Kernels Schedule
Cedar Rapids Kernels Roster
950 Rockford Road SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 363-3887
Capacity: 5,300
Dimensions: left field, 315 feet; center field, 400 feet; right field, 325 feet
Park Factors (2021-22)
100 = league average
Runs: 94 | Homers: 89 | Hits: 96
Midwest League environment: 4.78 runs per team per game (eighth-highest among 11 full-season leagues)
Cedar Rapids' "original" Veterans Memorial Stadium opened in 1949, in conjunction with the debut of the aforementioned Cedar Rapids Rockets. Following the 2001 season, it was demolished and replaced on the same site by the "new" Veterans Memorial Stadium. The ballpark is located next to All Veterans Memorial Park, which was dedicated in 2002 and features military vehicles and monuments.
Veterans Memorial Stadium is located a short drive from I-380, within a triangular patch of land located to the southwest of Cedar Rapids' city center. The facility is part of a larger sports complex that also includes a tennis center, a football stadium and the ImOn Ice Arena (home of the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders). There is plenty of parking in the vicinity of the stadium, with the main lot located between the baseball and football stadiums.
Veterans Memorial Stadium has a low-slung, utilitarian exterior, one that belies the raucous environment that exists within its walls. Fans enter the stadium onto an open concourse, which wraps around the home-plate side of the facility. The seating bowl extends from roughly third base to first base. A bleacher section is located down the first-base line, while the third-base line is home to a berm seating area and, further down, the sprawling Plumbers and Pipefitters Pavilion group area.
Concessions
The Kernels' colorfully-decorated concession stands and carts have something for just about everyone. The Home Plate and First Base stands largely stick to the basics, offering pizza slices, burgers and hot dogs (gluten-free buns are available). The sprawling Hot Corner Grill, located on the third-base side, is one of the most popular destinations in the ballpark. Fans can create customized sandwiches or order from a large menu that includes pork tenderloin (a Midwest specialty). Another standout is the Hacienda Las Glorias & La Cantina cart, serving up Mexican cuisine and margaritas.
The Kernels have a plentiful beer selection as well, including a large array of local and craft brews.
Mascot
When your team name is the Kernels, then it follows that your mascot is an anthropomorphic ear of corn with a giant baseball for a head. That ear of corn is Mr. Shucks, a distinguished gentleman whose first name is a mystery. Mr. Shucks is un-shucked, contrary to what his surname might suggest, with his oversized Kernels jersey obscuring what appears to be an otherwise green body. He's a constant presence during Kernels games, riling the crowd up with unwavering dedication and focus.
Where to Stay
Headed to the stadium and looking for a hotel nearby? Your Wyndham is waiting. As the Official Hotel of Minor League Baseball, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts welcomes baseball fans with a portfolio of 24 trusted brands. Find Hotels by Wyndham closest to the ballpark below and book now at wyndhamhotels.com.
? Baymont by Wyndham Cedar Rapids
? AmericInn by Wyndham Cedar Rapids North
? Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cedar Rapids
? AmericInn by Wyndham Cedar Rapids Airport
? Ramada by Wyndham Cedar Rapids
Local Attractions
Grant Wood, a painter best known for "American Gothic," spent most of his life in Cedar Rapids. His home and studio, where he lived from 1923-35, is open to the public and tours are offered every half-hour. Wood's studio is owned and operated by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, which has an ongoing Wood exhibition as well as a wide variety of other artists on display. The History Center, located in the nearby Douglas Mansion, is another worthwhile museum option. Consider, also, the African American Museum of Iowa as well as the National Czech and Slovak Museum.
There are also plenty of things to do out of doors. The Indian Creek Nature Center provides opportunities for "learning, growth and unstructured play in the outdoors." Ushers Ferry Historic Village provides visitors the chance to go back in time to see what life was like in a small Iowa town at the turn of the 20th century. The village is located along the Seminole Valley Trail, which leads to the Cedar River. The 12.6-mile Cedar River Trail, upon which one can run, walk, bike or rollerblade, runs through the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids.
Food and Drink
For food and drinks after the game, head to the Stadium Bar and Grill. As its name would indicate, it's located not much more than a foul ball away. Hacienda Las Glorias, which has an outpost at Veterans Memorial Stadium, declares that they are nothing less than "The master of Mexican food."
The NewBo City Market has over a dozen food vendors on the premises, representing a wide range of cuisines. "NewBo" is shorthand for New Bohemia, a neighborhood located just outside of downtown. New Bohemia and Czech Village are collectively known as The District, an area with plentiful food and beverage options.
Moving On
If you're looking to stay within the Twins' system after seeing the Kernels, the closest option is to drive north until you hit the St. Paul Saints (and/or the Twins themselves). Slightly closer Triple-A action can be found to the west, in the form of the Iowa Cubs and Omaha Storm Chasers. The closest Minor League options are all within the Midwest League, however, beginning with the Davenport, Iowa-based Quad Cities River Bandits. From there, one can head north to see the Beloit Sky Carp or south to check out the Peoria Chiefs.
The Road to Minnesota
The sprawling Twins farm system begins at their Spring Training home in Florida and then continues on to Iowa and Kansas before settling in to the Twin Cities.
Single-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels
Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge
Triple-A: St. Paul Saints
