Japan-Metro Classic takes center stage
It's always a pleasure when our community bands together to help stage a special event.
That's been the case for the Japan-Metro All-Star Classic that will be held at Veterans Memorial Stadium Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Metro Sports Report has received terrific support from the local community to make sure this will be a special night for baseball. Topping that list are the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Kernels CEO Doug Nelson, who have graciously made the stadium available and helped in every way possible.
The Premier Mortgage Company of Cedar Rapids happily climbed aboard as one of our sponsors, and the folks with the Iowa Amateur Athletic Union have coordinated the itinerary for the Japan team's trip to Iowa this week.
Julie Cain, who teaches Japanese at Cedar Rapids Washington High School, has arranged for all the host families for the Japanese players for their overnight stay here Thursday night, just as she did three years when we held this event in 2012.