New rides planned include a Ferris wheel, dual zip line, carousel, Frog Hopper and 4-D Ride Theater

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 19, 2013) – 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 zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper and, if the team receives approval from the Davenport Levee Commission, a 4-D Ride Theater. The team will also be adding four new bounce houses and a new 25-foot tall rock climbing wall as part of its Jumpin’ Joey’s Children’s Play Area. In the process, they will become the first minor league team to open its home seven days a week – both game days and non-game days – during the season for the public to enjoy the new attractions.

Main Street Amusements is working with the City of Davenport and multiple amusement ride companies on the aforementioned projects, all of which will debut at the ballpark this summer.

“We are always looking for creative  ways that families can enjoy affordable family fun and make memorable experiences at our ballpark, and the new amusement rides will be fantastic, unique, and affordable entertainment for the entire community to enjoy every night of the week,” said River Bandits owner and Main Street Amusements president Dave Heller. “All of these great attractions will highlight the ballpark and the Quad Cities as a one-of-a-kind destination for inexpensive family fun!”

The Ferris wheel from Chance Rides will tower to 112 feet above the playing field and be located beyond the left-field fence atop the berm. It will be entirely inside the ballpark and connected to the berm by a new boardwalk. Its opening is planned for late June, though flooding in Davenport could push the date back.

“We are ecstatic about partnering with the River Bandits and Main Street Amusements to make Modern Woodmen Park the first ballpark to create such a huge amusement experience,” said Chance Rides president Mike Chance. “We have enjoyed working with Dave Heller and his outstanding team, and we share their vision of bringing more unique and affordable family-friendly fun to the Quad Cities.”

Main Street Amusements is planning to have the pair of zip lines, the Fly Wire™, in different locations on game days and non-game days. Game days will feature the Fly Wire™ zip lines outside the ballpark, while the non-game days will give riders the incredible experience of gliding over the playing field at Modern Woodmen Park. The zip lines come from California-based Extreme Engineering, the world’s largest supplier in award-winning zip lines, climbing walls and adventure products to the entertainment industry.

“The Fly Wire™ zip lines are going to not only provide additional thrills at the ballpark, but a great view of the baseball field,” said Matt Rehnstrom, sales account manager for Extreme Engineering. “The zip lines will be a great promotional vehicle and exciting attraction for the fans in the Quad Cities.”

The carousel will be located in the right-field corner of the ballpark. The Frog Hopper will come to the ballpark in May and be located inside the Jumpin’ Joey’s Children’s Play area next to the Party Plaza along the right-field line, next to a new 25-foot-tall rock-climbing wall.

With a colorful and kid-friendly design, the Frog Hopper, sponsored by Mediacom, bounces up to seven riders comfortably along a tower as they sit in a row looking over the playing field for a one-of-a-kind view of the stadium as they “hop alongside” the Mississippi River. The Frog Hopper is an amusement ride from manufacturer S & S Worldwide, Inc. (www.engineeringexcitement.com), which has more than 400 rides in 30 countries around the world.

“S&S Worldwide is excited for our joint venture with the River Bandits and Main Street Amusements to combine amusement rides and baseball with the addition of a Frog Hopper to Modern Woodmen Park,” said Toby Garcia, North American Sales Representative for S&S Worldwide/Sansei Technologies. “With more than 250 Frog Hoppers worldwide, this ride is a family favorite that will delight kids in the Quad Cities and across the region.”

The River Bandits are also partnering with SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment to bring a 4-D Ride Theater to the ballpark, pending Levee Commission approval. A 4-D Theater shows short (5-6 minute) films with 3-D visual effects and the added thrills of the physical experience, such as seat movement and an added sense of smell and touch. The planned 4-D Experience at Modern Woodmen Park will feature several motion-based films in high-definition 3-D with added in-theater special effects.  Join Speed Racer (SPEED RACER MOVIE: © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. SPEED RACER:™ Speed Racer Enterprises, Inc. (s13)) on a six-minute, full-throttle adventure as you hurtle down the track, careening around, over and through the competition in Speed Racer Grand Prix.  The 4-D Ride Theater will also include Dino Island – one of SimEx-Iwerks’ top performing ride films and Pirates Rapids, a seemingly harmless water slide adventure that quickly takes a turn for the worst as you are whisked away to a land of pirates.

SimEx-Iwerks is the leading innovator of immersive 3-D and 4-D Attractions and the exclusive distributor of the industry’s best selling film titles. The company supports over 150 family-friendly attractions in more than 30 countries. Its attractions entertain and educate over 80 million people every year— bringing a whole new dimension to the guest experience.

“We are excited to open this popular attraction at Modern Woodmen Park – the first ballpark in the country to offer multiple amusement rides,” said Mark Cornell, Senior Vice President, Attractions Development.  “We have chosen our opening lineup carefully and these titles offer something for everyone.”

The amusement rides will complement the largest set of promotions in the history of the Quad Cities franchise.

“As the River Bandits spring into a new season, we are eager to share the new amusements and all of the family-friendly entertainment our fans will experience at Modern Woodmen Park this year,” said General Manager Harold Craw. “We can’t wait to see fans enjoying the new rides and another memorable summer at the ballpark.”

UP NEXT: Tickets for the 2013 season are now on sale! Call 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com. It’s not too late lock in your season ticket plan for the 2013 season! Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today at 563-324-3000 to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

April 18, 2013 – The Bemidji State University women’s track team is competing with 37 members on its roster for the 2012-2013 season. The team was ranked 11^th in the preseason NSIC coaches poll.

In his 23 years as head coach for track and field at Bemidji State, Craig Hougen has earned six NSIC Coach of the Year honors.

For more information about Beaver track and field, visit bsubeavers.com.

Members of Bemidji State University’s women’s track and field team are listed below, by hometown

MINNESOTA

Alexandria |56308| Tess Boucher, sophomore, nursing; distance

Andover |55304| Mackenzie Haupert, junior, exercise science; distance

Argyle |56713| Nicole Crummy, freshman, undecided; distance

Becker |55308| Nikki Anderson, freshman, elementary education; hurdler, multi

Bemidji |56601| Mikayla Connell, freshman, nursing; distance

Big Lake |55309| Sara Churness, senior, physical education; distance, jumper

Bingham |56118| Emily Turner, sophomore; biology; distance

Blaine |55434| Kayla Alexander, sophomore, sport management; hurdler

Blaine |55449 | Marisa Olgrady, junior, sociology; pole vault

Braham |55006| Austyn Eng, freshman, mass communication; distance

Chisholm |55719| Tia Lindberg, junior, criminal justice; sprinter

Coon Rapids |55433 | Emily Paquin, sophomore, biology; distance

Crookston |56716| Ciara Brewster, freshman, nursing; thrower

Cyrus |56323| Tina Larson, senior-captain, early childhood education; distance

Dawson |56232| Sara Melom, freshman, elementary education; sprinter, jumper

Duluth |55811| Sonja Barr, freshman, nursing; sprinter

Elk River |55330| Dani Detloff, freshman, undecided; sprinter, jumper

Esko |55733| Jolynne Denman, freshman, english; distance

Faribault |55021| Jessica Meyer, sophomore, elementary education; distance

Faribault |55021| Sammie Taube, sophomore, physical education; distance

Floodwood |55736| Ashley Larva, senior-captain, social work; hurdler

Fridley |55432| Carly Schwint, sophomore, nursing; sprinter, jumper

Grand Rapids |55744| Jessica Cagle, junior, criminal justice; thrower

Grand Rapids |55744| Brittany Koss, freshman, nursing; distance, jumper

Grand Rapids |55448| Gina Padrnos, junior, exercise science; thrower

Grove City |56243| Denna Hegg, sophomore, undecided; thrower

Hutchinson |55350| Caitlyn Quast, sophomore, marketing communication; pole vaulter

Owatonna |55060| Bethany Thompson, senior, physical education; jumper

Rosemount |55068| Kaneeshia Johnson, freshman, business administration; sprinter, jumper

Tamarack |55787| Taylor Sautbine, senior-captain, exercise science; hurdler, multi

DELAWARE

New Castle |19720| Jamie Piatt, sophomore, biology; thrower

IOWA

Davenport |52803| Melissa Youngblut, freshman, elementary education; sprinter

NORTH DAKOTA

Grand Forks |58203| Sydney Lund, freshman, undecided; sprinter

Wahpeton |58075| Kasey Lasch, sophomore, undecided; distance

Williston |58801| Hailey Horob, freshman, psychology; pole vault

PENNSYLVANIA

Thorndale |19372| Stephanie Price, junior, biology; thrower

ARIZONA

Scottsdale |85260| Phuong Dy Le, sophomore, exercise science; pole vault

About Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling approximately 5,000 students, the University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate programs encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. The University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. University signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global and multi-cultural understanding.

For further information about the University, visit http://www.bemidjistate.edu.

Become a fan of Bemidji State University on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BemidjiState or follow us on Twitter at @BemidjiState.

Quad Cities has third rainout in opening week-long home stand

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 17, 2013) – Wednesday night’s game between the Quad Cities River Bandits and Clinton LumberKings at Modern Woodmen Park has been postponed. The game will be made up at a later date. All tickets for Wednesday’s game may be exchanged for any other 2013 River Bandits home game.

Quad Cities (8-3) and Clinton (5-8) are scheduled to meet for one more three-game series in the first half, as the River Bandits visit Clinton Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27. Quad Cities has been rained out of four games in the last eight days, including home games Thursday, Monday and Wednesday. The rainout from Thursday against Peoria will be made up in a doubleheader Saturday, May 11. Monday’s rainout was made up with a doubleheader that Clinton and Quad Cities split.

The River Bandits begin a six-game road trip Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. in Kane County. The River Bandits have left-hander Colton Cain (0-0) and right-hander Mike Hauschild (0-0) scheduled to pitch as a starting tandem. All games can be heard live presented by Mediacom for free at www.riverbandits.com.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park for a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, April 25, with Manti Te’o Night and a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by Rock 104-9, the Quad Cities’ CW, and the River Cities’ Reader. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 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.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits will make one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is scheduled to open in early June, along with two new zip lines, a carousel, a Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft this June and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

ANNVILLE, PA (04/17/2013)(readMedia)-- Cole J. Bell of Davenport, Iowa, was a member of the ice hockey team at Lebanon Valley College. Bell, a graduate of North High School, is a senior business administration major.

The team finished the season 21-9, qualifying for the ECHA Championship Tournament for the second straight year. They were eliminated in the semifinals by Towson University.

Lebanon Valley College® in Annville, Pa., welcomes 1,630 full-time undergraduates studying more than 30 majors, as well as self-designed majors. Founded in 1866, LVC has graduate programs in physical therapy, business, music education, and science education. Annville is 15 minutes east of Hershey and 35 minutes east of Harrisburg; Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are within two hours. On the web at www.lvc.edu.