Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball

Kernels seek Mr. Shucks, dancers

The Cedar Rapids Kernels, in partnership with MOvMNT Dance Company, will hold open auditions for Mr. Shucks and 2014 Strike Force Dancers on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. until noon.

Those auditioning for Mr. Shucks, the Kernels mascot, must be at least 18 and have a valid drivers license. Dance experience is a plus, but not required. Those auditioning for the Strike Force must be at least 16.

All positions are paid and are open to men and women. If you cannot attend the open auditions, private auditions can be arranged. For more information, contact Lovar Davis Kidd with MOvMNT Dance Company at (319) 899-1656.

Kernels set 2014 daily specials

The Cedar Rapids Kernels have announced the return of their Daily Specials for 2014.

RUN THE BASES SUNDAY, sponsored by Planet X: After every Sunday home game, kids (and adults) can run the bases, play catch on the field and get autographs from the Kernels, sponsored by Planet X with media sponsor 104.5 KDAT.

During the game, play Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo, co-sponsored by the Radisson near Mall of America for a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis and see a Twins game. Enjoy the balloon artistry of Papa Balloon on the concourse and face painting by Kennedy. Magician Jackson Green will entertain at Sunday home games, starting June 15.

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Mauer embraces Year 2 with Kernels

Jake Mauer is not entirely different from the young ballplayers he had with the Cedar Rapids Kernels last season.

Just like them, he's chasing his dream of reaching the Major Leagues and appearing with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. But unlike them, he's now hoping to reach the big leagues as a Twins coach or manager some day.

Mauer, 35, will be the Kernels' manager again this season in the Class A Midwest League. This will be his seventh year as a skipper for Minnesota in the low minors and like anybody else, he'd like to climb the ladder some day.

Mauer originally hoped to reach the major leagues with the Twins as a player, but an injury ended that dream. Now he'd like to make it another way.

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Apply for 2014 Adenhart scholarship

Applications are being accepted through The Kernels Foundation for the Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship.

Adenhart was a bright young pitcher who played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2006 and was a rising star in the Los Angeles Angels organization. Only hours after his 2009 season debut on the mound for the Angels, a drunk driver tragically killed him at age 22.

Adenhart's family honors him by awarding a $1,000 annual scholarship in his memory. The Kernels Foundation administers the scholarship on behalf of the family.

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Mauer excited about Year 2 with Kernels

“People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” - Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby

Looking out our windows in the days leading up to Christmas in Cedar Rapids, it has been pretty easy to relate to Hornsby's famous lament. Freezing drizzle. Freezing rain. Icy streets. Snow. All in all, not a view that brings to mind many thoughts of warm summer nights at the ballpark.

Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Jake Mauer, however, has warm thoughts about what the Kernels accomplished this past season with a trip to the Midwest League playoffs and 88 victories. The Kernels kept winning even after Minor League Player of the Year Byron Buxton and other top players were promoted in June.

“What I was probably most happy with was that we really didn't miss a beat when we changed faces and really kind of changed our identity as a team,” Mauer said. "In the first half we just kind of out-slugged teams and really beat teams into submission scoring a bunch of runs.

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Molitor, Duensing, Pressly join Twins Caravan

The Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday that pitchers Brian Duensing and Ryan Pressly and coach Paul Molitor will join Twins play-by-play broadcaster Dick Bremer when the Twins Winter Caravan visits Cedar Rapids as part of the 18th Annual Hot Stove Banquet on Monday, Jan. 13.

Kernels Manager Jake Mauer, who guided the 2013 team to an 88-50 record, also will be attending the banquet at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Duensing was selected by the Twins in the third round of the 2005 draft from the University of Nebraska. He appeared in 73 games for the Twins this past season, posting a 6-2 record, 3.98 ERA and one save. In five major league seasons, he has a career record of 34-33 with a 4.20 ERA.

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Kernels set winter banquet for Jan. 13

The 18th Annual Cedar Rapids Kernels Hot Stove Banquet will be held on Monday, Jan. 13 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids.

The banquet will include a silent and live auction featuring sports memorabilia and local items, the appearance of the Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan as well as the induction of the Class of 2014 into the Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame. This year's Hall of Fame Class includes Mike Trout, Chris Sabo, Verna Nance, Ron Gonder and Tom Barbee.

This is the second time the Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan has visited Cedar Rapids and will feature Twins players, top prospects and coaches. Dick Bremer, the Twins play-by-play broadcaster on Fox Sports North, will emcee the Twins Winter Caravan.

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Kepler, Polanco added to Twins' roster

A pair of players that toiled for the Cedar Rapids Kernels last season have been added to the Minnesota Twins' 40-man roster.

Outfielder/first baseman Max Kepler and infielder Jorge Polanco were placed on the Twins' roster Wednesday.

Kepler hit .237 with nine home runs in 61 games for the Kernels. He batted .234 in 18 games this fall for Glendale in the Arizona Fall League.

Polanco batted .308 with five homers in 115 games for the Kernels, playing second base and shortstop.

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Mauer will return as Kernels manager

Jake Mauer will return as manager of the Cedar Rapids Kernels for the 2014 season, the Minnesota Twins announced Friday.

Mauer will be entering his seventh season as a manager in the Twins organization and his second season as the Kernels manager. The Kernels finished with the best overall record in the Midwest League in 2013 with an 88-50 mark.

Ivan Arteaga will serve as the Kernels' pitching coach. He was the pitching coach for the Fort Myers Miracle last season and spent seven seasons prior as the pitching coach for the GCL Twins.

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