NORMAL, IL – After laying it’s roots during the summer of 2020, the Kernels Collegiate League is back for more. Management of the Corn Crib announced Monday morning the four teams that will be playing in the KCL this summer. Last years runner-ups the Bobcats will return, with the BlueCaps, Ground Sloths, and Howlers starting their journey in 2021.

A lot of research was done about the history of Illinois from a variety of lenses in regards to the new entires to the KCL. After having weeks of discussion, the CornBelters staff decided on three brand new team names.

The BlueCaps were named as a result of the rich Civil War history of Illinois. Over 250,000 Union soldiers came from the Prairie State from 1861 to 1865, with predominant leadership figures of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant hailing from Illinois prior to the War.

The Ground Sloths are a name not many people may be aware of prior to the coming to the Corn Crib. The now extinct mammal lived during the Ice Age period, with their fossil remains previously being found in Central Illinois. Ground Sloths were said to be about the size of an elephant with razor sharp claws that could rip apart trees and scare away predators.

The Howlers live with the sense of adventure and wildlife in the state. Named after the thousands of coyotes located across Illinois, we look forward to hearing our fans “howl” together after a big win or a home run goes over the fence.

This will be the Bobcats second stint in the KCL. One of the four charter members of the league, the ‘Cats finished the 2020 campaign in second place with a 16-13 record. After defeating the Gems 3-2 in the Wild Card game, the Bobcats would fall 5-4 to the CornBelters in the KCL Championship on August 9th, 2020.

“It is an exciting time for the Corn Crib and the Bloomington-Normal community. These teams will help develop three brand new fan-bases in our ballpark and help us in our mission to be the place where baseball grows,” said CornBelters Assistant GM Matt Durkin.