March 12, 2008 – A new era has begun for the Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball Club. The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Dale and Thomas Popcorn announced today a five-year field naming rights partnership. The field at Veterans Memorial Stadium will be named the “Dale and Thomas Popcorn Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium”.

At the press conference held today, Kernels President Tom Barbee officially announced the partnership between Dale and Thomas Popcorn and the Kernels.

Dale and Thomas Popcorn is a gourmet popcorn company based in Englewood, New Jersey that produces popcorn under two brands: Dale and Thomas Popcorn (www.daleandthomas.com) and Popcorn, Indiana (www.popcornindiana.com). The slogan of the company is ‘SHARE SOME’ and this catchy slogan goes beyond the popcorn itself. In fact, it's become a way of life at Dale and Thomas. By creating the ‘SHARE SOME’ Foundation we are hoping to send a widespread message recognizing and promoting the concept of sharing (www.sharesome.org).

Exact terms of the agreement were not discussed, except that the agreement extends through the 2012 season.

Kernels General Manager Jack Roeder said, “This is a tremendous vote of confidence for our organization. It is very special to us that in our long history, we have now taken the next step up, to be honored that a major business from New Jersey, with such a wonderful product, has put its faith in us to lend its name to our fabulous stadium.

Dale and Thomas Vice President of Sports and Entertainment Brian Stuckelman said, “When meeting with the Kernels staff at the Baseball Winter Meetings, I was sold on the sense of family and community and that is why we believe this to be a terrific partnership.”

The Kernels first game at Dale and Thomas Popcorn Field will be Monday, April 7^th when the Kernels host the Quad City River Bandits at noon. Season and Flex Plan ticket packages are on sale now with individual game tickets available Tuesday, March 18^th at 10 am.