MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits Announce Unprecented First-Half Success

Published on June 19, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Back in April, Quad Cities baseball fans headed into the 2008 season optimistic that all the changes surrounding their hometown team would lead to a better ballpark experience. A half-season later, data from the first part of the 2008 campaign indicates that the return of River Bandits baseball to Davenport has exceeded expectations.

"Going into the season we set a very high bar for what we wanted to accomplish, and we've exceeded all of our goals," said team owner Dave Heller. "It is not enough for us to maintain the status quo and we're not content with merely settling in and getting comfortable. River Bandits fans deserve better. It has been, is, and will continue to be our goal to stay focused on improving this organization in every aspect."

"The people of the Quad Cities are noticing the changes and so is the Midwest League," said co-owner Bob Herrfeldt, speaking from Midland, Michigan, where he and Heller are attending the Midwest League All-Star Game. "Several members of the league have congratulated us on our success, but the accolades belong to our fans, who have stuck with us through rain, cold, and floods. We're going to say thank you with one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations the Quad Cities has ever seen!"

Early indications confirm that the first half of the 2008 season has seen a spike in a number of significant areas.

River Bandits fans responded to a series of major organizational changes by showing up in force at Modern Woodmen Park. Compared to this point in the 2007 season, attendance is up more than 60 percent in 2008. Total attendance through 26 home dates is currently 79,590 with an average of 3,061 fans per game. Last season through 26 games, the Swing of the Quad Cities drew just 49,637 and averaged 1,909 fans per game. Modern Woodmen Park has also clipped the 4,000 plateau for single-game attendance on eight separate occasions during the seasons' first half, including one game boasting more than 6,800 fans that was the highest single-game attendance figure since 1999. In contrast, John O'Donnell Stadium hosted just seven crowds of more than 4,000 fans over the course of the entire 2007 campaign.

"Since the first day we took over we have been promising our fans more entertainment and greater value, and our fans have seen that to be the case," said Vice President/General Manager Kirk Goodman. "Initially, I think that a lot of people were skeptical based on their experience with the previous ownership groups. We responded to that skepticism by saying, ‘Give us a chance to show you what we're all about.' Now people are seeing that we're an honest organization determined to return baseball in the Quad Cities to its glory days."

The rebranding effort has led to a tremendous upside in team merchandise as well. Through the midway point of the season, the River Bandits have seen an increase in total branded apparel sales of more than 500 percent compared to the same time period in 2007.

"Guests coming to Modern Woodmen Park this season have benefitted from not only a new look and brand, but a wide variety of merchandise that is consistently changing," said Assistant General Manager Cory Howerton. "The rebirth of the name and the development of the new team logo has been one of the best rebranding efforts in all of minor league sports."

Corporate partners continue to join the River Bandits family at a record-setting pace. Through new and innovative business building programs, the River Bandits have proven to local and national companies that no matter the size of the business, the River Bandits are a medium that they can use to drive revenue.

"As an organization, our philosophy is to work with our partners and activate their sponsorship," said Howerton. "It's not about just signage or in-game promotions, it's about how we drive guests from Modern Woodmen Park to your business and create new customers for our corporate sponsors. By doing this, we continue to see a number of new partners come on board not only for the rest of this season, but for many years to come."

Late in the 2007 season, a Name-The-Team contest redubbed local baseball as the River Bandits, the same name that proudly represented the Quad Cities from 1992-2003. An ownership change over the off-season sparked another series of upgrades and improvements, including lower ticket prices, a naming rights partnership that renamed the stadium Modern Woodmen Park, and a stronger focus on guest service and in-ballpark experience.

As the 2008 season began, fans were pleased to find a revamped concessions menu that included four themed concession stands containing a wider variety of choices. With the warmer weather also came a pair of new ballpark structures. The Jumer's Casino and Hotel Hot Tub Deck is a popular new group area that holds 10-30 people and comes complete with a barbeque dinner cooked up fresh on a nearby barbeque pit. Just around the corner on the right field berm sits the Tiki Village, featuring three Tiki Bars and a Tiki Lounge with a tropical theme that are open to the public. The area also includes a king-sized Tiki Bed, a cozy, 6-person group area perfect for couples and wedding proposals.

Soon, the new Crop Production Services Corn Field planted along the left-field line will be sprouting corn. When it does, expect to see River Bandits' players walk out through the corn onto the field, just like in the movie "Field of Dreams."

The Bandits are also busy planning another series of major upgrades and improvements to the ballpark for the 2009 season.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits open the second half of the season with a four-game series in Cedar Rapids on Thursday before returning to Modern Woodmen Park on June 23 to host the Kane County Cougars. Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and season ticket packages, mini-packages, and the popular You-Pick-10 Plan are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 3-BANDITS!

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 19, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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