Local News

Prospect Meadows seeks input on field usage

The Prospect Meadows board of directors has scheduled two meetings to get the public's input on how the proposed 17-field baseball and softball complex in Linn County may be used.

The board also will share project details at the meetings.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday, July 19 at the Clarion Hotel on 33rd Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 25 at the Longbranch Hotel on 90 Twixt Town Road NE in Cedar Rapids from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Metro all-stars will play team from Japan

The Japan vs. Metro All-Star Baseball Classic will be held at Kennedy High School on Tuesday, Aug. 14, featuring a touring high school team from Yamanishi, Japan, against many of the top players from Cedar Rapids and Marion.

The game is being organized by the Metro Sports Report, in cooperation with the Kennedy Baseball Support Group and the Iowa Amateur Athletic Union.

The Metro All-Star team will feature players from Kennedy, Linn-Mar, Marion, Prairie, Xavier, Jefferson and Washington. Bret Hoyer, who led Kennedy to the 2010 state title, will be the head coach of the Metro squad with help from his staff.

The Metro Sports Report will select the All-Star team, based on recommendations from the Metro coaches. Anyone who played for his high school team this season is eligible for the All-Star club, including graduated seniors.

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Roloff picked for UNI Hall of Fame

CEDAR FALLS - Former Cedar Rapids Kennedy coach Dennis Roloff will be inducted into the University of Northern Iowa Hall of Fame on Sept. 29.

Roloff was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American for the UNI track team during his collegiate career from 1971-74 and was a three-time conference champion in the 440-yard dash.

Roloff set 11 school records, including a clocking of 46.23 in the 400 that stood for 28 years until it was broken by Joey Woody.

Roloff coached track and basketball at Kennedy High School. He retired as a teacher after the 2010-11 school year.

The other new members of the UNI Hall of Fame are Mark Farley (football coach and former football player), Ryan Brunner (baseball), Amy Swisher (basketball), Deb Vangellow (track and golf), David S. Peters (meritorious service award) and the 2001 women's volleyball team.

The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday morning, Sept. 29 in the McLeod Center, prior to UNI's football game against North Dakota State.

Touring African-American team here Saturday

The Anderson Monarchs, an 11-and-under African-American baseball team from South Philadelphia, will play the Cedar Rapids Reds in a special game at Ellis Park this Saturday at 5 p.m.

The visit by the Anderson Monarchs is part of a 22-day, 4,000-mile barnstorming tour which is a tribute to Jackie Robinson and the old Negro Baseball Leagues.

The Monarchs are meeting surviving players from the original Negro Leagues and visiting historical sites, including the three remaining stadiums in the country where Negro League baseball was played.

The Monarchs are traveling on an authentic 1947 Flexible Clipper touring bus.