Veterans Memorial Stadium Cedar Rapids, IA
Stadium Minor League History:
Central Association
1949
Three-I League
1950-1961
Midwest League
1962-2001
Current Status: A parking lot for "new" Veterans Memorial Stadium
What's Good: Almost everything! Of all the places I've been, none seem to embody the minor league experience more than this one. Four rows of "box" seats ringed the field, with general admission bench seating behind that, and a full roof covered the grandstand. Bleacher sections were down the lines, and a wooden picnic deck occupied the space in the left field corner. The team was (and still is) community-owned, prices were reasonable, and folks were genuinely friendly. Most of all, the ballpark had that quiet, slow pace that one associates with baseball on a muggy summer evening. Though the team would occasionally broadcast a sound effect or snippet of music over the tinny PA, and engaged in three or four on-field promotions a night, these efforts were usually subdued and were quickly consumed by the relaxed atmosphere. Things here were about as opposite as one could get from places like Trenton or Kane County. Bud Curran (the groundskeeper since the park was opened in 1949) groomed the infield dirt before the game in his ancient Farmall tractor, and the GM himself used to bring out the ice cream cake when a kid celebrated a birthday at the park. Even the distinctly midwest setting said baseball -- the Cedar Rapids "skyline" was visible over the center field wall, while a grain elevator was just across the street past right field. The food was average and the restrooms were dingy, but due to the incredible, old-fashioned baseball atmosphere I enjoyed watching ball here more than almost anywhere. And I did watch a lot -- from 1997-2001 I had season tickets behind the home dugout, and during that time I must have seen over 250 games.
What's Not So Good: The stadium wasn't designed for large crowds. Though it could hold over 6,000 fans, the concourses, cross-aisles, and concession areas got pretty backed up with a crowd over, say, 2,500. And, of course, following the 2001 season the stadium was demolished and turned into a parking lot. Happily, though, the Kernels stayed in town and now play in an all-new Veterans Memorial Stadium.
This Photo:
June 13, 2001 Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. West Michigan
Whitecaps
