MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits Promotions Will Make History in 2012

Published on March 19, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Quad Cities River Bandits made history with their fifth Midwest League Championship in 2011. The team will make more history in its 2012 promotions lineup, which was announced at a press conference earlier today. This season's schedule will include an Opening Day tribute to the man verified as the oldest living in the United States, a promotion that will take place for the first time ever in U.S. professional sports, and, of course, a celebration of last season's championship.

"Every year, we look for opportunities to make incredible memories for our fans at Modern Woodmen Park. This year, we are celebrating last year's championship season with an All-Star lineup of promotions, appearances and giveaways," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Fans will have more chances than ever to be a part of history at the ballpark - with amazing promotions, lots of giveaways and new celebrity and entertainer appearances. Every game will give fans a new reason to come for a night of affordable, family-friendly fun at the ballpark."

The season begins April 5 with an Opening Day Championship Parade to celebrate the River Bandits' 2011 Midwest League title, followed by the Quad-City Times Opening Night Celebration at Modern Woodmen Park. Throwing out the first pitch will be Shelby Harris of Rock Island, Ill., who will be 111 years old - the oldest verified age of any man living in the United States. To honor him, the River Bandits will sell Modern Woodmen Berm tickets for $1.11 each. In addition, the first 1,111 fans will receive the inaugural River Bandits collectible pennant, courtesy of Mediacom. Magnet schedules, presented by Riddle's Jewelry, will be given away at each of the three home games opening weekend. And since everyone needs a place to put those magnet schedules, the River Bandits will also be giving away a brand new refrigerator!

In the highlight of the new promotions, the River Bandits will be the first U.S. professional sports team to hold a photo jersey auction to benefit local cancer organizations. Fans can purchase small squares in the River Bandits players' jersey numbers to feature a photograph of themselves, a family member or friend. The jerseys will be worn during the game on Cancer Awareness Night presented by Genesis and KWQC-TV, Friday, Aug. 10, so fans can also purchase a square for a loved one who has been affected by cancer. After the game, the jerseys will be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefitting Genesis Foundations, Quad Cities Affiliate Susan G. Komen For The Cure, and Gilda's Club Quad Cities. A limited number of squares are available for purchase at $25 each, with all of the money raised going to the aforementioned local charities. More information is available by calling (563) 3-BANDIT.

The first weekend of May will be Championship Weekend, as the River Bandits celebrate their 2011 Midwest League Championship with a rally towel giveaway presented by Peoria Charter and Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Saturday, May 5. The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 World Series trophy will also be at the ballpark for viewing Saturday, May 5, Sunday, May 6, and Tuesday, May 8.

The weekend will also mark the first visit to the Quad Cities by the inaugural Rivertown Showdown series between the River Bandits, who play their home games along the banks of the Mississippi River, and the Peoria Chiefs, whose home is near the waters of the Illinois River. The River Bandits and Chiefs, affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, respectively, will battle for a traveling trophy to be awarded after the 14th and final contest between the clubs Friday, Aug. 3, at Modern Woodmen Park. That night will include a Cubs vs. Cards giveaway presented by Mediacom, in which fans can choose to receive a logo baseball of either the Cubs or Cardinals.

Fans will also have a giveaway choice in the River Bandits' second Presidential Bobblehead Election presented by WQAD-TV Sunday, Aug. 12. As in the first giveaway in 2008, fans can cast their votes with their feet as they walk through either the gate featuring a bobblehead of President Obama or the gate featuring the likeness of the Republican presidential nominee.

The lineup of bobblehead giveaways for 2012 also includes 2004 Olympic gold medalist and former Iowa State wrestler Cael Sanderson on Saturday, June 30, presented by Klement's. To kick off the John Deere Classic, the River Bandits will give away their first-ever bobblehead of a professional golfer, three-time Classic champion Steve Stricker, on Saturday, July 7, presented by Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and CBS4. The River Bandits will also honor first-year Cardinals manager Mike Matheny with a bobblehead giveaway Saturday, July 21, presented by DHCU and FOX-18. The bobblehead of Cardinals outfielder Allen Craig will be given away Saturday, Aug. 11, presented by VISTA International Operations and WQAD-TV. Finally, a gnome with the likeness of Cardinals pitcher Jason Motte will be given away Saturday, Aug. 18, courtesy of Bayside Smoothies and KWQC-TV.

This season, the River Bandits will again bring a parade of celebrities and entertainers to Modern Woodmen Park. Those Funny Little People, as seen on America's Got Talent, will appear Saturday, June 2, courtesy of the Quad-City Times. The entertainment act Quick Change will make its first appearance at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday, June 16. WWE Hall of Famer "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan will be at the park for Pro Wrestling Night Thursday, June 28. Scooby Doo will appear on Mystery Night presented by Mediacom Sunday, July 8. Alfonso Ribeiro, "Carlton" from the hit '90s TV show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," will visit Modern Woodmen Park Thursday, Aug. 9, courtesy of the Quad-City Times. There will also be a Fairytale Princess Appearance by Glass Slipper Entertainment as part of Pirates and Princesses Night Sunday, Aug. 19.

The River Bandits will observe the in-season holidays and also bring several off-season holidays to Modern Woodmen Park. The Nintendo Wii-ster Egg Hunt presented by Video Games Etc! will be Saturday, April 7, the night before Easter. Mothers will be honored at the ballpark with a Mother's Day brunch Sunday, May 13, and fathers will be recognized with a postgame catch in the outfield opportunity on Father's Day, June 17. The Red, White and Boom Fireworks on July 3 will mark the eve of Independence Day. The River Bandits will also celebrate Valentine's Day in May and Ladies' Night presented by Riddle's Jewelry Monday, May 14. The team will observe Halloween in May (Tuesday, May 15), Thanksgiving in August (Wednesday, Aug. 8) and Christmas in June presented by the Quad-City Times (Saturday, June 2), which will also include the third annual awarding of the 2012 Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship, which pays a full year's tuition for one area student to attend the University of Iowa.

Among the new giveaways are the collectible pennants presented by Mediacom, which will go to the first 1,111 fans Opening Day and the first 2,000 fans Sunday, July 8. Other new giveaways will be the Clarion Hotel Welcome Mat Giveaway presented by the Dispatch-Argus (Friday June 1), the Mega-Bicycle Giveaway (Sunday, June 3) and the Video Games Etc! Gadget Giveaway (Thursday, Aug. 2).

The returning promotions include the second annual Camo Jersey Auction presented by the Iowa Army National Guard Friday, May 25. All Pro Custom Tattoo Night, also presented by FOX-18, will be Thursday, July 19. The popular Mega-Candy Drop, which has quickly become a Quad Cities institution, will be presented by Edward Jones Sunday, July 22. A selection of used cars will be given away in the third annual Reynolds Ford Used Car Night Thursday, Aug. 23. The fourth annual Bandit Wedding contest winners will have their on-field pregame ceremony Friday, Aug. 24.

Kids will get to enjoy several special promotions for youth throughout the season. Boy Scouts (Friday, June 1) and Girl Scouts (Friday, June 15) will both have special nights at the park courtesy of Gander Mountain. Every Tuesday kids get a free meal, and every Wednesday IHMVCU members can get two free kids tickets with the purchase of one adult ticket. On Thursdays, IHMVCU members get buy-one-get-one free kids admission. Once again, every Sunday is a U.S. Bank Family Sunday presented by KWQC-TV and B100, when kids can get autographs before the game and run the bases afterward.

The rest of the weekly promotional lineup has many of the same favorites with a few new twists. Mondays - with the exception of April 30 and May 7 - are Buck Nights presented by Klement's and 97X, with a full menu of $1 concession items. Tuesdays - excluding July 3 - are Dew for Twosdays, presented by Pepsi, CBS4, WOC and Q106.5: Tickets are two-for-one, kids get a free meal, and fans who bring an old can or bottle of Mountain Dew to Modern Woodmen Park can exchange it for a free 16-ounce soda voucher. On Wednesdays, the River Bandits will Pay Your Bill, presented by Mix 96. Fans can bring their bills to the ballpark, and the two bills selected in a drawing will be paid up to $100 by the River Bandits. Thirst-day Thursdays presented by Rock 104.9, the CW and the River Cities' Reader are back, with $2 drink specials that will also spill into all Saturday games in April and May. Fireworks presented by WLLR-AM and WQAD-TV will conclude all 11 Friday home games, as well as games Saturday, May 12, Tuesday, June 12, Saturday, June 16, and Tuesday, July 3. The Saturday pregame Concert Series presented by 101.3 KISS-FM will run before games June 30, July 7, Aug. 11 and Aug. 18. Bark in the Park is also every Sunday, when fans can bring their dogs to Modern Woodmen Park.

"I am ecstatic that our fans will again experience the promotions that have become summer signatures at Modern Woodmen Park - the bobblehead giveaways, jersey auctions, celebrity appearances, and weekly offers that make River Bandits games a phenomenal value," said River Bandits General Manager Stefanie Brown. "Every night, our fans will be rewarded with a new show, experience, bargain or giveaway, and will also take home the great memories of a River Bandits baseball game."

A complete listing of promotions for the 2012 season is available at www.riverbandits.com. Individual game and season tickets are available at the River Bandits box office, by phone at (563) 3-BANDIT and online at www.riverbandits.com.

UP NEXT: Opening Day is April 5 at Modern Woodmen Park. Get your tickets now to watch the River Bandits defend their Midwest League Championship. Single-game tickets are now on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at (563) 3-BANDIT and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

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Midwest League Stories from March 19, 2012


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