Cedar Rapids, IA - Excitement continues to grow for the 17th Annual Hot Stove Banquet and Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan coming this Thursday, January 17th at the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel. Ticket sales are strong as fewer than 20 tickets remain for the banquet.

The Minnesota Twins announced today that former West Delaware HS prep and Twins Organizational Pitcher of the Year, B.J. Hermsen will join the list of players on the Twins Winter Caravan. Hermsen was drafted by the Twins in the sixth round of the 2008 draft out of West Delaware HS and spent most of the 2012 season at Double-A New Britain where he posted an 11-6 record and 3.22 ERA in 22 starts for the Rock Cats. He was also recently added to the Twins 40-Man Roster and will attend Major League Spring Training next month.

The 17th Annual Hot Stove Banquet will include a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia and local items, the first Cedar Rapids appearance of the Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan as well as the induction of the Class of 2013 into the Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame. This year's Hall of Fame Class includes Alex Monchak, Pat Harmon, Casey Kotchman, Trevor Hoffman and Jim Curran.

Proceeds from this event help the Kernels Foundation accomplish its vision of ensuring that all youth in Eastern Iowa have the opportunity to experience the thrills and life-enhancing lessons that come from engaging in athletics and recreational activities.

Tickets for the Hot Stove Banquet are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium during regular business hours 9 AM to 5 PM, on-line at www.kernels.com, or by phone by calling (319) 363-3887.

KCRG TV-9 and Cumulus Media stations KRNA, KHAK, KDAT and KRQN are proud media sponsors of the 17th Annual Hot Stove Banquet.