Bandits Close to Returning to Modern Woodmen Park

When Mississippi River floodwaters went down late last week, a temporary solution went up which will allow baseball to return soon to Davenport’s (IA) Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Single-A, Midwest League). The River Bandits have had to move eight games of their 70-game home schedule to other venues in the first three weeks of the season.  Read more here.

Welcome to Baseball Island ⚾️🌴 pic.twitter.com/yvPxaAr7K5

— Quad Cities River Bandits (@QCRiverBandits) April 16, 2019

Double-Decker Carousel Debuts at Modern Woodmen Park

The double-decker carousel is now open at Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Single-A, Midwest League):

CUT THE RIBBON! The Double-Decker Carousel is open! pic.twitter.com/EpcvOOFI34

— QC River Bandits (@QCRiverBandits) June 30, 2017

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Traditional Baseball vs. Modern Day Ballpark Entertainment

Quad Cities Times sports reporter Don Doxsie argues that the in-place and coming amusement rides at Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Single-A, Midwest League), are not interfering with baseball.  Some fans might disagree.  Read more here.

River Bandits Introduce New and Returning Alternate Logos

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits are proud to introduce a brand new official alternate logo. Featuring an outline of Rascal’s eyes, the logo will be featured on the 2017 River Bandits home alternate game day cap.

State Senator Joins Bandits Ownership Group

PRESS RELEASE – In the midst of the most successful run in Quad Cities baseball history, the River Bandits and Main Street Baseball today announced a change in the ownership of the Quad Cities River Bandits. Iowa State Senator Roby Smith has joined managing partner Dave Heller as owners of the team.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Modern Woodmen Park (Davenport, IA)

Brian Merzbach from BallparkReviews.com recently visited Modern Woodmen Park, the home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Single-A, Midwest League).  View photos and review here.

Bandits, Astros Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits and Houston Astros announced that they will be extending their player development contract through the 2018 season. River Bandits owner Dave Heller and Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow affirmed the two-year extension with a joint press conference Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park.

Bandits Welcome 8-Millionth Fan

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits and surrounding community celebrated a milestone during Friday night’s game at Modern Woodmen Park. The eight-millionth fan, Braeden Billings, came through the gates of the Friendliest Ballpark in America during the Bandits home game against the Peoria Chiefs.

‘River Rocker’ Latest Addition to Modern Woodmen Park Amusements

PRESS RELEASE – Modern Woodmen Park will really be rockin’ on the river this summer. The Quad Cities River Bandits and Main Street Amusements announce that their newest attraction, the River Rocker, will open at the Friendliest Ballpark in America this season.

River Bandits Add Nine New Full-Time Staff

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits are known for helping young professional baseball players reach their ultimate goal of playing in Major League Baseball. This off-season; however, the River Bandits helped several front office staff members take the next step in their careers.

River Bandits Seek Advance for New Kitchen

The Davenport City Council will consider advancing the Quad-Cities River Bandits money for a new kitchen at Modern Woodmen Park as prior advances already are depleting the ballpark’s capital improvement fund.  Read more here.

Bandits Set Pair of Attendance Records

PRESS RELEASE – An average of 3,906 fans per game attended Quad Cities River Bandits home games at Modern Woodmen Park this season, setting a new record for the highest per-game average for a season in the 56-year history of the Quad Cities Midwest League franchise. A total of 250,004 attended River Bandits regular season games this year, setting the single-season attendance record since the full-stadium renovation following the 2003 season.

SBJ Names Quad Cities No. 1 Minor League Market for 2015

The Quad Cities, a region in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois, is the “No. 1 market in our ranking of the nation’s top minor league markets,” David Broughton of SportsBusiness Journal said in announcing the news.  Following the Quad Cities in the Top 10 are Toledo (OH), Fort Wayne (IN), Tulsa (OK), Charleston (SC), Des Moines (IA), Sioux Falls (SD), Inland Empire (CA), Hershey-Harrisburg (PA), and Grand Rapids-Comstock (MI).  Read more here.

Bandits Take 2015 Promotions to New Level

PRESS RELEASE – Following a year in which the Quad Cities River Bandits set the all-time franchise record for per-game attendance, the Midwest League club is planning an action-packed promotional schedule – full of new giveaways, fireworks shows, charity events, theme nights and community celebrations – to take family fun and entertainment to a new level at Modern Woodmen Park in 2015.

Bandits Expanding Deck at Modern Woodmen park

Davenport (IA) aldermen approved an $803,027 contract Wednesday for concourse deck expansion at Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League).   Read more here.

Main Street Baseball Officially Takes Reins of Billings Mustangs

PRESS RELEASE – Main Street Baseball, LLC, has officially taken the reins of the Billings Mustangs, the rookie-level Pioneer League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, the team announced Tuesday. Major League Baseball has approved the team’s sale, formally bringing the Mustangs into the Main Street Baseball family, led by Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt.

Bandits Set New Franchise Attendance Record

PRESS RELEASE – An average of 3,885 fans per game attended Quad Cities River Bandits home games at Modern Woodmen Park this season, setting a new record for the highest per-game average for a season in the 55-year history of the Quad Cities Midwest League franchise.

Nothing Like Modern Woodmen Park

There is nothing really new here, but Steve Batterson from the Quad City Times takes a look at views and features that make Modern Woodmen Park special.  Read more here.

River Bandits Honor Retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin with Bobblehead

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits will give away a bobblehead of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin at Modern Woodmen Park at their 1:15 p.m. game Sunday, Aug. 17, which will be a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of Service to Iowa in Congress. The day will be sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Bandits Open New Amusement Ride at Modern Woodmen Park

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits and Main Street Amusements will open another new ride at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night, as the Mediacom “Drop’N Twist” makes its debut in the ballpark’s Party Plaza.

Modern Woodmen Park Once Again Surrounding by Mississippi River Waters, Show Must Go On

It’s that time of year again, and Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League), is once again surrounding by Mississippi River flood waters.  Read more and view photos here.  View photo gallery here.  But the show must go on, as the police and fire “Battle of the Badges” charity softball game will be played on Saturday, July 5, before the River Bandits take on the Timber Rattlers.

The Davenport Police & Fire Departments and Rock Island Police & Fire Departments will compete in the Battle of the Badges charity softball game Saturday, July 5.

 

River Bandits Expand Amusements with ‘Space Camp’

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits and Main Street Amusements will open another new ride at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night, as “Space Camp” makes its debut at the ballpark.

Taking the First Ride on the Bandits New Ferris Wheel

Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram and Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba were among the first passengers to take a ride on the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits.  Read more and view photos here.  Read about the May 24 Inaugural Ride event here.

Bandits Schedule Official Lighting of the Ferris Wheel, Inaugural Ride

PRESS RELEASE – The Inaugural Ferris Wheel Ride event and fundraiser is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 24, to kick off a Memorial Day Weekend grand opening for the new attraction. Ticket proceeds from the event at Modern Woodmen Park will go to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation in the Quad Cities.

Bandits Ferris Wheel Almost Ready for Fans

The Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League) reported Saturday that crews were putting the finishing touches on the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodman Park.  The new ballpark feature will highlight an amusement lineup to include a new ride called a “Drop and Twist,” an expanded 300-foot long zip line, an auto-belay rock climbing wall, and other new games and attractions.  Read more and view photos here.

 

River Bandits Announce Eight ‘Bobble’ Giveaways, Including a Bobble Truck

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits will soon return to the field where they won the Midwest League Championship in two of the last three years. The team announced on Thursday it will celebrate those championships, as well as its second year of an affiliation with the Houston Astros, with a super-sized 2014 lineup of always-popular bobblehead giveaways.

River Bandits Unveil Championship Ring, Fans Can Buy and Personalize

PRESS RELEASE – Fans of the Quad Cities River Bandits can own a piece of history with a commemorative 2013 Midwest League Championship ring in a limited-time sale. Until Feb. 1, fans may purchase rings that match the ones earned by the team’s players and staff, and each fan may personalize the championship hardware with his or her last name on the side of the ring.

Bandits Eyeing More Improvements to Modern Woodmen Park

More changes could be coming to Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League), as Davenport (IA) Public Works on Thursday night will consider allowing additional improvements to the facility, including expanding the left field concourse and adding fireplace decks, bullpen seats, and an outfield river view deck.  Read more here.  View aerial rendering here.

Bandits Announce Front-Office Additions

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits have made a pair of offseason acquisitions, as they announced on Tuesday their two new assistant general managers, whom the Midwest League club will have oversee the baseball operations of the franchise and the year-round special events at Modern Woodmen Park.

Bandits Update Primary Logo, Add New Alternates and a Brand-New Amusements Ensignia

PRESS RELEASE – While the Quad Cities River Bandits franchise and Modern Woodmen Park expand their array of entertainment, the team is growing its logo mark lineup, as General Manager Andrew Chesser revealed new logos at a press conference in the sports lounge of Modern Woodmen Park Monday afternoon.

River Bandits to Add ‘Drop and Twist’ Ride to Modern Woodmen Campus

Wanting to create a park inside a park, Dave Heller, the owner of the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League), has bought a new ride called a Drop and Twist to compliment the merry-go-round and Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park.  The attractions will be ready by May 2014 and stay open even when the Bandits are on the road.  Read more and watch news report here.

Bandits Name New GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits are promoting a key front office member to lead the Midwest League club, as the team announced that two-year Assistant General Manager Andrew Chesser is the Midwest League club’s new General Manager at a press conference with River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller Thursday afternoon at Modern Woodmen Park.

Brown to Depart Bandits, Otten and Miller Join Front Office

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits announced on Tuesday that Executive Director of Modern Woodmen Park Stefanie Brown is concluding her work with the Class-A Midwest League club after playing an integral role in the front office the last six years.

Modern Woodmen Park Voted Best Minor League Ballpark

PRESS RELEASE – After four weeks of nationwide voting by fans and readers of 10Best.com and USA TODAY, Modern Woodmen Park, the home of the Quad Cities River Bandits, is the “Best Minor League Ballpark” in the 2013 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards. USA TODAY and 10Best.com announced the Top 10 ballparks Wednesday.

Work Begins on River Bandits’ Ferris Wheel

More than three weeks after the Single-A Quad-Cities River Bandits (Midwest League) and city of Davenport had hoped to have a Ferris wheel erected and operational at Modern Woodmen Park, work for the base of the structure has begun.  Read more here.

River Bandits Announce Front Office Change

PRESS RELEASE – The Quad Cities River Bandits announced on Tuesday that Executive Director of Modern Woodmen Park Stefanie Brown is resuming day-to-day operation of the Midwest League club, as former General Manager Harold Craw is leaving to pursue other opportunities outside the organization.

Flood Waters Won’t Stop Bandits

The Mississippi River is rising again this spring in Davenport (IA), as crews worked Friday to build an elevated pedestrian walkway into Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League).  Like last year, the completed path will take visitors over the temporary flood wall, which has been built to 22 feet above flood stage outside the stadium.  Read more and view news clip here.

Bandits Adding Amusement Rides for 2013

PRESS RELEASE – The Modern Woodmen Park experience is about family-friendly fun, and this season Main Street Amusements is enhancing the ballpark to a whole new level. The Quad Cities River Bandits are set to become the first team in Minor League Baseball to bring a Ferris wheel inside its ballpark. But they are not stopping there. The River Bandits will also be adding a dual

River Bandits Pondering Addition of 4-D Theater

Dave Heller, owner of the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League), wants to add a small 4-D theater to the menagerie of attractions at Modern Woodmen Park that will, by the end of the current season,  include a Ferris wheel, two 300-foot zip lines, a carousel and a Froghopper ride for children.  Read more here.

Loan for New Ferris Wheel Signed with THE National Bank

PRESS RELEASE – The new Ferris wheel coming to Modern Woodmen Park is a step closer to its new home in the Quad Cities, as the Quad Cities River Bandits announced approval of a five-year loan from THE National Bank to fund the project that will bring an iconic addition to the ballpark and riverfront.