Metro Sports Report

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to return Sept. 1. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .295, AB - 112, H - 33, HR - 4, RBI - 15, SB - 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Saturday and was 0-for-3 in the Quakes' 10-2 loss to Lancaster. Season stats: G - 116, Avg. - .303, AB - 446, H - 135, HR - 27, RBI - 90, SB - 15.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Did not play Saturday in the Lugnuts' 6-1 loss to Dayton. Season stats: G - 102, Avg. - .180, AB - 327, H - 59, HR - 5, RBI - 28, SB - 1.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Bowling Green (Rays)) - Did not pitch Saturday in the Hot Rods' 7-0 win over Fort Wayne. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 1. ERA - 0.66. G - 7. IP - 13.2. H - 12. BB - 1. SO - 17.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Started at third base Saturday and was 0-for-2 in the Twins' 4-3 loss to the GCL Red Sox. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .235, AB - 153, H - 36, HR - 2, RBI - 20, SB - 4.

JON KELLER (Xavier, GCL Orioles (Orioles)) - Did not pitch Saturday in the Orioles' 5-4 win over the GCL Rays. Season stats: W - 1. L - 1. Sv - 0. ERA - 2.84. G - 5. IP - 12.2. H - 12. BB - 1. SO - 13.

Host families make Kernels feel at home

The life of a professional baseball player has many challenges off the field, none bigger than finding housing at each stop along the way.

For players whose careers pass through Cedar Rapids, that is not the case.

In a program unique to professional baseball, the not-for-profit Cedar Rapids Ball Club, Inc., has offered housing to each player through the Host Family Program. It's stated mission is to provide a positive home-like atmosphere for young men to live while they pursue their dream of someday playing baseball in the major leagues.

And one other thing - it is rent free.

Kernels have more trouble with River Bandits

DAVENPORT - Nobody has given the Cedar Rapids Kernels more trouble this season than the Quad Cities River Bandits.

That's potentially bad news for the Kernels, because there's a good chance they'll meet the River Bandits when the Midwest League playoffs begin Sept. 4.

The River Bandits trimmed Cedar Rapids, 3-2, before 6,913 fans at Modern Woodmen Park Friday night to finish with a 10-and-6 record against the Kernels for the regular season.

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to return Sept. 1. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .295, AB - 112, H - 33, HR - 4, RBI - 15, SB - 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Friday and was 0-for-3 in the Quakes' 4-3, 10-inning loss to Lancaster. Season stats: G - 115, Avg. - .305, AB - 443, H - 135, HR - 27, RBI - 90, SB - 15.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Friday and was 0-for-5 with a run scored in the Lugnuts' 8-7, 10-inning loss to Great Lakes. Season stats: G - 102, Avg. - .180, AB - 327, H - 59, HR - 5, RBI - 28, SB - 1.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Bowling Green (Rays)) - Did not pitch Friday in the Hot Rods' 5-3 loss to West Michigan. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 1. ERA - 0.66. G - 7. IP - 13.2. H - 12. BB - 1. SO - 17.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Started at third base Friday and was 1-for-3 in the Twins' 2-0 loss to the GCL Red Sox. Season stats: G - 43, Avg. - .238, AB - 151, H - 36, HR - 2, RBI - 20, SB - 4.

JON KELLER (Xavier, GCL Orioles (Orioles)) - Did not pitch Friday in the Orioles' 5-1 loss to the GCL Rays. Season stats: W - 1. L - 1. Sv - 0. ERA - 2.84. G - 5. IP - 12.2. H - 12. BB - 1. SO - 13.