Home opener is Saturday, April 9, and the annual Bandits Race to Home 5K is Saturday, April 23
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 27, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits on Thursday announced their 140-game schedule and home game times for the 2016 Midwest League season, including the six-time Midwest League Champions' home opener on Saturday, April 9, against the Cedar Rapids Kernels to begin a schedule of 70 home games at Modern Woodmen Park.
After playing their first two games of the 2016 season in Cedar Rapids Thursday, April 7, and Friday, April 8, the River Bandits will return to Modern Woodmen Park to host Cedar Rapids for two games Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10, with both starting at 1:15 p.m. That will mark the first of 13 weekends the Midwest League club will have a home game at the ballpark voted the Best Minor League Ballpark in a nationwide vote at 10Best.com and USA TODAY.
The River Bandits' first two Saturday home games, April 9 and April 16, will each start at 1:15 p.m. The following Saturday, April 23, will be the annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and Kids Fun Run to benefit the Bandit Scholars Program. The race will begin at 9 a.m., and the Kids Fun Run will begin at 10 a.m. Registration is available at getmeregistered.com/bandits.
The River Bandits will have a home game on the Fourth of July - a 6 p.m. game against Beloit Monday, July 4 - and home games on three holiday weekends in 2016. On Memorial Day Weekend, Quad Cities will host Peoria for a four-game series Friday, May 27, through Memorial Day Monday, May 30. The River Bandits play a four-game Father's Day Weekend home series with Cedar Rapids Thursday, June 16, through Sunday, June 19. The River Bandits will play their regular season home finale against Kane County at the start of Labor Day Weekend on Friday, Sept. 2.
In their 2016 schedule, the River Bandits have three different homestands of seven games or more, including a season-long nine-game, 10-day homestand Wednesday, July 20, through Friday, July 29. The team's longest road stretch is eight consecutive games Thursday, Aug. 11, through Thursday, Aug. 18.
During the 2016 season, weekday (Monday through Friday) home games will normally begin at 7 p.m. Three 11 a.m. weekday games will be Wednesday, April 27, Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 17 - when the River Bandits host schools participating in the Book Buddies reading program. The Memorial Day game will begin at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, May 30. The Monday, July 4, game will be at 6 p.m., and the Monday, July 25, game will start at 1 p.m. All other weekday games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park.
After the first two Saturdays - April 9 and April 16 - have 1:15 p.m. home games, all following Saturday home games will again begin at 6:00 p.m. during the 2016 season. Sunday home games will be at 1:15 p.m., with the exceptions of 5:15 p.m. games on three Sundays - June 5, July 10 and July 24. On game days at Modern Woodmen Park, gates will open 60 minutes before each scheduled start time.
Quad Cities will host four Eastern Division opponents in 2016. The River Bandits will host the South Bend Cubs (April 26-28), West Michigan Whitecaps (April 29-May 1), Dayton Dragons (July 20-22) and Bowling Green Hot Rods (July 23-25). Every Western Division team will play at least seven games at Modern Woodmen Park in 2016.
The 2016 Midwest League All-Star Game will be in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The regular season concludes Monday, Sept. 5. The Midwest League playoffs are scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept. 7. A full schedule of home and road games for 2016 is at www.riverbandits.com.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits conclude a six-game homestand Friday and Saturday with fireworks Friday and two bobblehead giveaways - a bobble tractor on Friday and a George Springer bobblehead Saturday. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: With the installation of the Ferris Wheel, the River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931, and this year the club is matching that effort by opening three new areas. A two-tiered special group deck immediately behind and overlooking the corn field opened in June. A new 11,000-square-foot concourse expansion down the third-base line will open late August. Finally, the club has expanded the children's play area by an additional 5,500 square feet down the right-field line, with additional bounce houses and the newest ride - Spin Zone Bumper Cars - as the latest attraction.
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Becomes second player in club history to earn award; Conference call scheduled for tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT 

HOUSTON, TX - The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announced the winners of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award tonight, naming Astros shortstop Carlos Correa the American League Rookie of the Year and Kris Bryant the National League Rookie of the Year.

 

Correa, who debuted on June 8 and was the youngest position player in the Majors this season, hit .279 (108x387) with 22 doubles, 22 home runs, 68 RBI, 14 stolen bases and an .857 OPS in his 99 games in 2015. Among AL rookies, Correa ranked first in home runs, slugging (.512) and OPS, while ranking second in RBI and on-base percentage (.345), and third in batting average (min. 400 PA). With 22 home runs this season, Correa set both the franchise rookie record for home runs and the franchise record for home runs by a shortstop.

The only rookie shortstop in Major League history to record more career homers than Correa prior to turning 21 was Alex Rodriguez (26HR). Correa also became one of 19 players in Major League history to record 22 homers before his age-21 season, a list that includes seven Hall of Famers.

Correa's success continued into October, as he became the youngest player in American League history to record a multi-homer game in the postseason, which he did in Game 4 of the ALDS. He also joined Joe DiMaggio (1936) and Mickey Mantle (1952) as just the third player in Major League history age 21 or younger to hit third in the starting lineup of a postseason game.

Correa becomes just the second player in franchise history to win the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, joining first baseman Jeff Bagwell, who won the National League award in 1991. He also becomes the sixth Puerto Rico native to win the Rookie of the Year, joining Orlando Cepeda (1958), Benito Santiago (1987), Sandy Alomar (1990), Carlos Beltran (1999) and Geovany Soto (2008).

This award, in which Correa topped AL finalists Francisco Lindor and Miguel Sano, gives Correa a clean sweep of the major rookie awards this offseason, as he has already been named the Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year and the MLBPA Players Choice Award for the AL Most Outstanding Rookie.

Correa was one of three Astros finalists for BBWAA Awards as manager A.J. Hinch is a finalist for AL Manager of the Year and left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel a finalist for the AL Cy Young. The winner of the remaining BBWAA awards will be announced live on MLB Network this week with the Manager of the Year announced tomorrow (Nov. 17), the Cy Young on Wednesday (Nov. 18) and the Most Valuable Player on Thursday (Nov. 19).

Houston has picked up two national BBWAA awards in the same year just once, in 1986, when Scott won the Cy Young and Lanier won the Manager of the Year. The last time any Major League team had three individuals win three of the four BBWAA awards in a single season was in 1993 when the White Sox were represented by Gene Lamont (Manager of the Year), Jack McDowell (Cy Young) and Frank Thomas (MVP).

This announcement continues a busy award season for the Astros, as Hinch and his 2015 Astros have been named award winners and finalists for several major awards. A full list of offseason awards and recognitions involving 2015 Astros is below.

Jose Altuve

-Rawlings AL Gold Glove winner, second base

-AL Silver Slugger winner, second base

-MLBPA Players Choice Always Game Award

 

Jason Castro

-Rawlings AL Gold Glove finalist, catcher

 

Carlos Correa

-BBWAA AL Rookie of the Year

-MLBPAA Players Choice Award for AL Most Outstanding Rookie

-The Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year

Dallas Keuchel

-MLBPAA Players Choice Award for AL Most Outstanding Pitcher

-BBWAA AL Cy Young finalist

-Rawlings AL Gold Glove winner, pitcher

-The Fielding Bible Award, given to the best fielding pitcher in the Major Leagues

-The Starting Pitcher on the Sporting News AL All-Star Team

-Warren Spahn Award, given to the top left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball

A.J. Hinch

-BBWAA AL Manager of the Year finalist

FORT DODGE, Iowa - Iowa Central laid claim to its second consecutive NJCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championship Saturday on its home course in Fort Dodge. The Tritons topped the team standings thanks to five runners finishing in the top 20.

Freshman Andrew Ronoh crossed the finish line first for the Tritons with a time of 24 minutes, 11.7 seconds, which was good enough for fourth place overall. Coming in second for Iowa Central was sophomore Cody Baele in ninth place finish with a time of 25:24.0. Fellow sophomore Denzel Fogg followed Baele at 25:38.0, which put him 12th.

Rounding out the top five for the Tritons were Ashenafi Hatte and Alex Jackson. The freshmen duo posted times of 25:50.5 and 25:52.2, respectively, to place 15th and 16th.

Central Arizona freshman Golbert Kigen was the first harrier to finish the men's 8k race. Kigen's time of 23:55.20 is the best finish by an NJCAA runner at the national meet since 2010 when Central Arizona's Henry Leilei posted a time of 23:39.0 to top the leaderboard.

Iowa Western sophomore Slyvester Barus was the national runner-up with a time of 24:01.2. Finishing third overall was freshman Festus Lagat of Gillette (Wyo.) who clocked in at 24:05.1.

Iowa Central's dominating performance vaulted them 20 points in front of Central Arizona in the final team standings. The Tritons posted 56 team points to 86 from the Vaqueros. South Plains (Texas) came in third with 88.

About the NJCAA
Since 1938, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has served as the governing body of two-year college athletics, offering athletic and academic opportunities to college students. The NJCAA is the second-largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States with over 500 member schools in 43 states. Each year nearly 60,000 student-athletes compete in one of 28 different sports and the organization sponsors 48 national championship events and seven football bowl games. NJCAA Headquarters has been located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, since 1985. For more information visitwww.njcaa.org.

Ballpark amusements' proceeds helped fund second $50,000 donation to Genesis Foundation

DAVENPORT, Iowa (November 11, 2015) - Modern Woodmen Park's amusements lineup is unprecedented, and in 2015 every ride made a difference for the Quad Cities community. The Quad Cities River Bandits give 50 cents from each ride to the Genesis Health Services Foundation to help fund local Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Camp Genesis and Flu-Free Quad Cities. In 2015, the rides helped finance a $50,000 donation for the second straight year, a campaign that gained national recognition on Wednesday from Ballpark Digest as 2015's Best Charity Event or Campaign in baseball.

During a press conference Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park, Ballpark Digest publisher Kevin Reichard presented the River Bandits as the first-ever winner of Best Charity Event or Campaign in the publication's annual awards. River Bandits owner Dave Heller and Ken Croken, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Advocacy for Genesis Health System, were on hand to receive the award.

"The financial contributions from the Quad Cities River Bandits ownership, both in this year and in 2014, are a model for the rest of the industry - and a clear sign of the team's commitment to the community." said Ballpark Digest publisher Kevin Reichard. "Making a difference in the community is the goal of every great pro baseball team, and the River Bandits put that into practice every day of the year."

The River Bandits' second $50,000 donation in as many years came with a portion of each this season's 84,000 rides on Modern Woodmen Park's amusements this season at Modern Woodmen Park - including the 105-foot Ferris wheel atop the berm in left field, the dual zip line that operates outside the ballpark on game days, the Mediacom Drop'N Twist, Space Camp gyroscope and the new Spin Zone Bumper Cars. In the past two seasons, a total of 152,000 amusement riders - during River Bandits games, special events and weekend Ferris wheel openings - contributed to the sum of $100,000 given by the River Bandits to the Genesis Health Services Foundation.

"The impact of the Quad Cities River Bandits as a charitable partner benefits our patients every day,'' said Ken Croken, vice president of corporate communications, Genesis Health System. "The tiniest and sickest babies we take care of in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) benefit from the great partnership with the River Bandits.

"Children in elementary schools...somewhere in the Quad Cities today actually...benefit from free seasonal influenza vaccinations partly because of the partnership with the River Bandits.

"The River Bandits are being recognized by Ballpark Digest today, but we've known about the organization's commitment to the community and to Genesis for years.''

The latest $50,000 donation is among more than 700 donations - for a total of more than $300,000 - throughout the Quad Cities this year by the River Bandits organization, which has donated more than $1.2 million over the last six years. Included in that figure is more than $60,000 each year towards funding tuition for three area young people attending college, through the Bandit Scholars Program. In addition, River Bandits staff members logged over 1,000 hours in community activities this year.

"Our charitable giving and deep-seated community involvement help define who we are as an organization," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "A big part of our mission is to give back to this community that we love so much, and we are tremendously grateful to work with such great partners as Genesis Health System and Augustana College to make our charitable dollars have as big an impact here in the Quad Cities as possible. For our charitable works to be so recognized by Ballpark Digest, the most well-read and most often cited publication in our industry, is extremely humbling. This is a great honor that we share with everyone across the Quad Cities!"

The award comes one year after the Ferris wheel was named by Ballpark Digest as the Best Ballpark Improvement - the fourth time in seven seasons Modern Woodmen Park has won the award. Since then, readers of Ballpark Digest voted Modern Woodmen Park as the Class-A Best of the Ballparks, The Sports Business Journal named the Quad Cities the No. 1 minor league market, SmartAsset Magazine named Davenport the No. 3 minor league town, and readers of The Quad-City Times voted the River Bandits the region's "Best Family Entertainment" and "Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party."

"We are always thrilled for the Quad Cities to receive recognition, but when our success can make as big a positive impact as our work with the Genesis Health Services Foundation, it is that much more gratifying," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. "Our organization remains committed to returning the amazing support of our fans by going beyond the ballpark to make a lasting impact for those in need throughout the Quad Cities community."

UP NEXT: Get the best price now on registration for the annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and Kids Fun Run, set for Saturday, April 23, 2016. Registration includes a T-shirt, and prices are $25 for the 5K and $10 for the Kids Fun Run. All proceeds benefit the Bandit Scholars Program. Visit riverbandits.com for the link to register.

 

ABOUT THE BANDITS: With the installation of the Ferris Wheel, the River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931, and in 2015 the club matched that effort by opening three new areas. A two-tiered special group deck immediately behind and overlooking the corn field opened in June. A new expanded the children's play area with additional bounce houses and the newest ride, Spin Zone Bumper Cars, opened in July. And a new 11,000-square-foot concourse expansion down the third-base line opened in late August. More improvements are planned for 2016!

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Club had seven playoff teams while posting the best overall record in the minors 2015 

HOUSTON, TX - The Astros have been named the Best Farm System of the 2015 season by MiLB.com.

The Astros had a standout season in the minor leagues, posting the best combined overall minor league record among all 30 organizations during the regular season with a 502-405 (.553) mark. Houston joined the 2010 Mariners as the second organization since 2005 to have seven minor league teams qualify for the playoffs in a single year (Triple A Fresno, Double A Corpus Christi, Class A Advanced Lancaster, Class A Quad Cities, Class A Short Season Tri-City, Rookie Level Greeneville, Rookie Level Dominican Summer League Astros Blue).

Of the Astros seven playoff teams, Triple A Fresno and Rookie Level Greeneville each captured championship titles in their respective leagues. In addition to having two batting champions (OF Jon Kemmer, Double A Texas League; IF Bobby Wernes, Class A Short Season New York-Penn League) and two Manager of the Year award winners (Rodney Linares, Texas League; Josh Bonifay, Class A Midwest League), IF A.J. Reed received a number of accolades after leading all of minor league baseball in home runs (34), RBI (127) and OPS (1.044) while batting .340. Reed was recently named the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year, ESPN.com Prospect of the Year, Astros Minor League Player of the Year, California League Most Valuable Player and MiLB Offensive Player of the Year.

The Astros farm system played a large role in the Astros success at the Major League level in 2015, as rookies IF Carlos Correa, RHP Lance McCullers, OF Preston Tucker and RHP Vince Velasquez all made significant contributions that helped push the club to their first playoff appearance in a decade. Correa's 22 home runs led all Major League shortstops, set a franchise rookie record and a club record for a shortstop. McCullers posted a 3.22 ERA in 22 starts, Tucker swatted 13 home runs in just under 100 games and Velasquez provided seven starts and 12 relief outings down the stretch of the season.

The Astros were also able to pull from their minor league depth by trading six prospects to acquire OF Carlos Gomez and RHP Mike Fiers from the Brewers, and LHP Scott Kazmir from the A's in two July trades.

Since 2012, Jeff Luhnow's first season as Astros General Manager, the Astros minor league system has posted the second-best overall record among all 30 clubs at 1880-1600 (.540), trailing only the Rangers (1731-1466, .541).

Ski Swap & Open House, November 7

This annual event is our way of helping the Snowstar Ski Patrol raise much needed funding that supports thier tireless and sometimes unappreciated hard work of keeping us all safe on the slopes.
Bring in your used equipment to trade in, trade up or sell! This is the perfect chance to upgrade your gear for the upcoming season!
No equipment to sell? That's okay too! We also bring in local retailer's equipment, gear and apparel so there are great deals for everyone whether you're looking for new or used items.

Want a more than just a shopping trip?
It's also celebration to launch the winter season and get a sneak peek of the many improvements coming to Snowstar!
Meet our new General Manager, Dan (a.k.a. Deli Dan) McCanna whose motto is: Experience the CHANGE!
Bring your family and join us for free scenic chairlift rides and enjoy our beautiful view of the fall foliage. Don't forget to grab lunch at our outdoor BBQ and enjoy live music by AAA group!
Great giveaways and FREE samples...Sign-up for fabulous prizes!
Tour our facilities, meet our managers and the pros.  Ask questions but pardon our dust as we work hard to get ready for opening day offering you the very best in winter fun.
For ONE DAY ONLY, take advantage of our General Manager's Season Pass Special!
Haven't purchased your season pass yet? Well you're in luck; only at the Ski Swap & Open House will you be able to receive this great offer! When you purchase a Gold Season Pass ($275) you are entered in a drawing to receive an upgrade to a VIP Pass ($320 value! to get you from parking to slopes).
When you purchase a VIP Season Pass at the Ski Swap & Open House you are entered into a drawing to receive a $50 Snowstar gift card that can be used at any of our facilities.
Visit our retail store for awesome offers and "kick the tires" of our heavy outdoor equipment and groomers.
Swap & Shop Hours
9am - 2pm


Chairlift Rides:

10am - 1pm


Live Music

11am - 1pm, weather permitting


Outdoor BBQ:

11am - 1pm

We want to pay special thanks to our sponsors:

  • A.D. Huesing
  • Stern Beverage
  • Bent River
  • Creekside Vinyards
  • Vibrant Credit Union
  • Martin Brothers
  • Edwards Creative

Sign up for the following:

  • Learning Center (ski & ride school)
  • Ski Patrol
  • Monday Night Ski & Board Race League
  • Youth Ski Team
  • Mississippi Valley Ski Club

How The Swap Works

You can drop off your items the morning of the Ski Swap beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 9:00 a.m. (Drop off only, no shopping).
It's easy, just bring in your ski and snowboard equipment and fill out a simple form with the description and the price you want, and we'll sell it for you.  For each item submitted, there is $1 fee and once your item sells, Ski Patrol retains 15% of the price.  This is only way our top notched Snowstar Ski Patrol raises funds that support the many costs necessary to provide all of us with excellent medical and safety services.

Call Us: 800.383.4002

©2015 Ski Snowstar Winter Park - 9500 126th West - Andalusia, IL - 61232
 
SUPER CHEVY SHOW COMES TO CORDOVA IN 2016!
Cordova International Raceway will be hosting multiple stops next year for The 2016 Manufacturers Series
TWO NEW TRACKS ADDED TO THE SCHEDULE
The Manufacturers Series reveals its 2016 schedule which includes nearly forty events throughout the U.S., and the addition of two new host tracks: Cordova International Raceway, and Heartland Park Topeka.
Automotive enthusiasts can celebrate the "Big Three" American car manufacturers through the Super Chevy Show, Fun Ford, and Mega Mopar Series which take place from March through November. The events attract thousands of participants and spectators to their car shows, drag racing, vendor midway, and swap meet area for an eclectic array of hot rod shopping.
Royce Miller, COO of IRG Sports + Entertainment, oversees the Palm Beach and Memphis host tracks which have held Super Chevy Show, Fun Ford, and Mega Mopar Series events for several years.  He is excited to bring the popular automotive events to Cordova International Raceway.  Miller said "having these events come to our track in Cordova gives us a chance to reach the large muscle car enthusiast market in Chicago.  The shows are very popular in Memphis and Palm Beach, which gives us great attractions to offer all of the participants and fans in those markets as well."
New in 2015, the Manufacturers Series started its own television show: The Menards Chevy Series which currently airs on Velocity, Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. EST. The 30-minute program features high caliber Chevys, unique restoration stories from car owners, and various winners of sponsor awards including the Duracell "Crank It With The CopperTop Award", the RockAuto "Restored Award", the Original Parts Group, Inc. "Original Award," and the Minties "Top Dog Award."
Also joining as a new track for the 2016 season will be Heartland Park Topeka.  Jim Farnum, who recently took over the track is excited to offer fans in the Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita, and Manhattan Kansas areas, as well as fans from the Omaha Nebraska, and Des Moines Iowa regions a chance to bring their muscle cars out to the multi-use facility.  Heartland Park includes a drag strip and road course that can be used at the Manufacturers Series events.  "We have a great lineup of events planned for racers, car show participants, and all automotive enthusiasts for the 2016 season.  We are doing a lot of updates to the facility, and know that the Chevy, Ford, and Mopar fans will like what they see," said Farnum.
The Manufacturers Series Schedules:
2016 Super Chevy Show
Palm Beach, FL           March 19-20
Memphis, TN              April 8-10
Petersburg, VA            May 14-15
Martin, MI                  May 21-22
Topeka, KS                   June 18-19
Dallas, TX                    July 2
Reading, PA                 July 15-17
Cordova, IL                  July 30-31
Denver, CO                 August 12-13
Rockingham, NC         September 24-25
Bristol, TN                   September 30-October 2
St. Louis, MO               October 15
Bakersfield, CA           November 5-6
2016 Fun Ford Series
Rockingham, NC         April 30
Cordova, IL                  May 21
Denver, CO                 June 12
Petersburg, VA            June 18
Martin, MI                  July 10
St. Louis, MO               July 16
Topeka, KS                   July 23-24
Bristol, TN                   August TBD
Memphis, TN              August 27
Bakersfield, CA           September 17-18
Reading, PA                 September 17
Palm Beach, FL           October 15
Dallas, TX                    November 5
2016 Mega Mopar Series
Dallas, TX                    April 2
Rockingham, NC         April 2
Cordova, IL                  May 21
Reading, PA                 May 22
Denver, CO                 June 5
Martin, MI                  July 10
Topeka, KS                   August 6-7
Memphis, TN              August 27
Petersburg, VA            September 17
Bakersfield, CA           September 17-18
Palm Beach, FL           October 15
Cordova International Raceway
19425 IL Rt 84 N, Cordova, Illinois 61242
About the Manufacturers Series:
Designed to offer something for every Chevy, Ford, and Mopar enthusiasts, the Manufacturers Series takes place at 13-facilities throughout the U.S.  Each Manufacturers Series event, Super Chevy Show, Fun Ford, and Mega Mopar Seriesis operated by its respective host track and showcases a car show, drag racing, vendor midway, swap meet and car corral in a family-friendly atmosphere. For more information or for the most current event schedules visit our websites: mfgseries.com, SuperChevyShow.com, FunFordSeries.com & MegaMoparSeries.com

Blue Grass, IA- The Blue Grass American Legion is preparing to host another successful Veterans' Day Run/Walk to support the many programs and projects of the Legion.  This event will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the American Legion Post 711 in Blue Grass, Iowa.

This event has options for runners and walkers of all ages and capabilities.  The 5K run will begin at 8:00 AM and follow old route 61 south.  The kids half-mile run will begin at 9:30 AM and any children twelve and under are eligible to participate. The family fun run/walk will begin at 10:00 AM and follow a 1-mile route. Families are encouraged to carry posters supporting their loved ones, as well as include the family pet in this run/walk.

The Battle Buddy Run will begin at 11:00 AM.  This 2-mile race includes two people and one person must be carried at all times. Alternating who is carried is allowed, but no advancement is allowed during transition.

Unique dog-tag medals and t-shirts will be given out to all participants as supplies permit.  Awards and medals will also be given to the top three male and female participants in each age group.

Registration after November 1 is $20 for anyone 15 years or younger, $25 for adults, $20 for veterans and everyday heroes (Police, firefighters, EMS, teachers); $20 for legionnaires, auxiliary, and Sons of American Legion; and $25 for the family fun run for two participants, $15 for each additional participant.

Registrations will be accepted up until the race time on Saturday morning. Participants are urged to register and pick up their packet at the Blue Grass American Legion on Friday, November 13 from 5:00-8:00 PM or Saturday, November 14 from 6:00-7:30 AM. American Legion Post 711 is located at 106 S. Juniata St. in Blue Grass, IA or visithttps:////sites.google.com/site/ialegionpost711

New this year! Participants can register online at www.getmeregistered.com

Proceeds from this event will be utilized to help support the many community and youth programs that the American Legion provides the Blue Grass and Buffalo areas.

The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans' service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans. The American Legion currently has about 2.4 million members in 14,000 posts worldwide.

Contact Wayne Kraft for more information about this event & other Legion events: alpost711.5k@outlook.com
Visit the River Bandits employment page for up-to-date job opportunities. More »

Award voted on by American League players

HOUSTON, TX - Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa has been named the Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year, an award which is voted on by American League players.

Correa starred for the Midwest League champion Quad Cities River Bandits in 2013.

Correa, who debuted on June 8 and was the youngest position player in the Majors this season, hit .279 (108x387) with 22 doubles, 22 home runs, 68 RBI, 14 stolen bases and an .857 OPS in his 99 games in 2015. Among AL rookies, Correa ranked first in home runs, slugging (.512) and OPS, while ranking second in RBI and on-base percentage (.345), and third in batting average (min. 400 PA). With 22 home runs this season, Correa set both the franchise rookie record for home runs and the franchise record for home runs by a shortstop.

His success continued into October, as he became the youngest player in American League history to record a multi-homer game in the postseason, which he did in Game 4 of the ALDS. He also joined Joe DiMaggio (1936) and Mickey Mantle (1952) as just the third player in Major League history age 21 or younger to hit third in the starting lineup of a postseason game.

Correa becomes the ninth player in franchise history to win the Sporting News Rookie of the Year and the first since outfielder Willy Taveras won the National League Award in 2005. In addition to Correa and Taveras, four other Astros position players have won the Sporting News NL Rookie Player of the Year: Jeff Bagwell (1991), Jeffrey Leonard (1979), Greg Gross (1974) and Joe Morgan (1965). The Astros have had three pitchers win the NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year in Roy Oswalt (2001), Al Osuna (1991) and Tom Griffin (1969).

This announcement kicks off what could be a busy award season for Correa, as he's a strong candidate for the Players Choice Most Outstanding Rookie of the Year Award, announced on Nov. 9, and the AL Rookie of the Year Award as voted on by the BBWAA, announced on Nov. 16.

-ASTROS-

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