Mitchell Kernels
The Mitchell Kernels were a Class D minor league baseball team based in Mitchell, South Dakota intermittently from 1920–1940. Mitchell teams were members of the South Dakota League, Dakota League, South Dakota League, Nebraska State League and Western League. The Mitchell Kernels played as a member of the collegiate minor league Basin League. The Mitchell Kernels were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
History
The Mitchell Kernels first played as members of the 1920 South Dakota League. The Mitchell Kernels then played in the Dakota League, South Dakota League, Nebraska State League and Western League. The Kernels were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936–1937. The Mitchell Kernels won league championships in 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1936. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Jim Bottomly played for the Kernels in 1920.The Mitchell Kernels resumed play in 1953 as charter members of the Basin League, an independent collegiate minor league. Mitchell played in the Basin League from 1953–1960. The Basin League was established in 1953 with South Dakota teams in Chamberlain, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Watertown, Winner and Yankton, as well as Valentine, Nebraska. The league name reflected the number of teams situated along the Missouri River Basin. Future major league players Frank Carpin, Doug Clemens, Doc Daugherty, Eddie Fisher, Dick Green, Dave Giusti, Dean Look, Jim O'Toole and Don Schwall played for the Mitchell Kernels' Basin League team.
The ballpark
The minor league Kernels played at Kernel Park. Kernel Park stood on a site adjacent to Joe Quintal Field, which is still in use today by Mitchell High School and Dakota Wesleyan University sports teams. Built in 1941, Joe Quintal Field is located at 501 East 11th Avenue, Mitchell, South Dakota, 57301.Notable Alumni
[Baseball Hall of Fame] alumni
- Jim Bottomley Inducted, 1974
Notable Alumni
- Frank Carpin
- Doug Clemens
- Doc Daugherty
- Eddie Fisher MLB All-Star
- Red Fisher
- Dick Green MLB All-Star
- Dave Giusti MLB All-Star
- Lou Kahn
- Cliff Knox
- Doyle Lade
- Louis Leroy
- Jimmie Long
- Dean Look NFL Official
- Dave Odom
- Jim O'Toole MLB All-Star; Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
- Del Paddock
- Don Schwall MLB All-Star; 1961 AL Rookie of the Year
- Biggs Wehde
- Jimmy Zinn
Year-by-year record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
| 1920 | 61–36 | 1st | Hank Scharnweber | League Champions |
| 1921 | 65–33 | 1st | Hank Scharnweber | League Champions |
| 1922 | 60–37 | 1st | Hank Scharnweber | League Champions |
| 1923 | 28–27 | 3rd | Hank Scharnweber | League disbanded July 17 |
| 1936 | 68–50 | 2nd | Cliff Knox | League Champions |
| 1937 | 75–41 | 2nd | Cliff Knox | none |
| 1939 | 49–69 | 5th | Red Davis | none |
| 1940 | 44–70 | 4th | Ed Grayston/Jimmy Zinn | Sioux City Soos moved to Mitchell July 24 |