28 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Proclaims "Jackie Robinson West Championship Day"

By Rick Martin

Governor Celebrates with Team and Fans at Rally and Parades

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed today "Jackie Robinson West Championship Day" in honor of the baseball team from Chicago's South Side that won the U.S. Championship and was runner up in the Little League World Series. Jackie Robinson West defeated Nevada to become the U.S. Champions and advanced to play South Korea in the World Series, for the culmination of an amazing season.

"The players, coaches and parents of Jackie Robinson West have accomplished something we can all be proud of," Governor Quinn said. "These young players have displayed a level of teamwork, sportsmanship and dedication well beyond their years, and are an inspiration to kids across Chicago, Illinois and our nation. Hailing from the South Side of Chicago, the Jackie Robinson West little leaguers are some of the most successful baseball players in Illinois' history. The entire state of Illinois is proud of Jackie Robinson West - this was a special season we won't soon forget."

In his Proclamation, the Governor said, "...number 42 - Jackie Robinson - would have been proud of this year's team, which showed the same grit and grace Jackie showed as a player."

Fans all over Illinois gathered to watch Jackie Robinson West's journey to the World Series. The South Side team defeated Nevada 7-5 on Saturday, August 23 to win the U.S. finals and advance to the World Series, where they lost to South Korea 8-4.

Jackie Robinson West is the first all African-American team to win the U.S. Championship in over three decades.  In 1983, Jackie Robinson West won the Regional Championship, a feat accomplished by only two Chicago-area teams since (Lemont in 2006 and South Holland in 1992), and finished fifth in the World Series.

The Jackie Robinson West Little League team was founded in 1971 - the year before Jackie Robinson died - by educator Joseph H. Haley, whose goal was to provide young people with wholesome, healthy recreation through baseball. The team's mission is to bring children into a structured program environment supported by adult volunteers where values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline are emphasized.

A copy of the Proclamation is attached.

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28 Aug 2014

MALLARDS OPEN 2014-15 SEASON OCTOBER 24 ON HOME ICE; 33 GAME HOME SLATE FEATURES 25 WEEKEND DATES

By Jim Kersten
MOLINE, Ill. (August 27, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards will open their 66-game 2014-15 Central Hockey League season at home on Friday, October 24 at 7:05 p.m. against the Rapid City Rush and go on to play their first four games on home ice, the Mallards announced today in conjunction with the CHL.

The Mallards will play 25 of their 33 home games on fan friendly weekend dates.  The Flock will take the ice at the i wireless Center for ten Friday night games, ten Saturday evening tilts, five Sunday contests and eight Wednesday night outings.  Each of the Mallards' Sunday home games will face off at 4:05 p.m. while all other home games will start at 7:05 p.m.

"We are excited to offer so many weekend dates for our fans to attend games and to continue building up our rivalries with Brampton, Missouri and Rapid City," said Mallards president Bob McNamara.  "After winning a playoff series and reaching the semi-finals for the first time in over a decade last year, we're looking forward to the start of this season and the opportunity to build on that success."

The Mallards' home slate is weighted toward weekends from the outset.  The season opener is the first of two games in two nights between the Mallards and Rapid City at the i wireless Center.  Those two clashes will reunite the Mallards and Rush for the first time since the Mallards stoked the budding rivalry between the clubs by dramatically knocking off Rapid City in the opening round of last spring's President's Cup playoffs.

After their duo of duels with Rapid City, the Mallards will welcome the Brampton Beast to the Quad Cities for a pair of tilts.  The Mallards will host the Beast on Halloween- Friday, October 31- and Saturday, November 1.

The CHL will, for a third straight season, forgo a geographical split into conferences but still play an unbalanced schedule.  The Mallards will meet the Beast 16 times- more than they play any of their other five foes.  The season series between the two clubs will start with five consecutive meetings between October 31 and November 9.  The Mallards will travel to Brampton for a trio of games after hosting their first two match-ups with the Beast.

The Mallards' already strong rivalry with the Missouri Mavericks will only intensify over the course of 13 regular season clashes.  The Mallards and Mavs first renew acquaintances on Sunday, November 23 in Independence; Missouri travels to Moline for the first time six days later.

Similarly, the Mallards and Rush will no doubt crank up the heat on their rivalry during a dozen regular season meetings.  The Mallards will face the Wichita Thunder nine times and the Allen Americans and Tulsa Oilers eight times apiece.

The Mallards will meet two-time defending champion Allen for the first time since falling to the Americans in the seventh game of April's semi-finals on Sunday, November 16 at the Allen Event Center.  The Americans visit the Quad Cities for the first time on Friday, February 6.

The Mallards will begin December with six straight away games- their longest road trip of the season.  The Mallards travel to Missouri, Rapid City (for two games), Allen, Wichita and Tulsa between December 2 and December 13.

The Mallards kick off March with their longest homestand.  The Flock will play seven home games between March 1 and March 18, welcoming Missouri (three times), Allen (twice), Wichita and Tulsa to the Quad Cities.

Upon completing that home ice septet, the Mallards will play six of their final eight games on the road.  After playing their last home game on Wednesday, April 1 against Brampton, Coach Terry Ruskwowski's troops will close out the regular season with a two-game set in Rapid City Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4.

Other schedule highlights include :

  • The Mallards will endure their two busiest stretches of the campaign during the holiday season.  They will play seven games in 11 days between November 19 and November 29 before hitting the ice six times in eight days between December 27 and January 3.
  • The Mallards will play a total of 14 times in December, their busiest month of the season.  They will play 13 games in November, 12 in March, 11 in February, ten in January and three in both October and April.
  • The Mallards will play three games in three nights on two occasions: November 21, 22 and 23 and December 20, 21 and 22.
  • The Mallards will see ample holiday action beginning with their Halloween night tussle with Brampton.  While the Mallards will be idle on Thanksgiving itself, they will play three games in four nights over Thanksgiving week: Wednesday, November 26 at Wichita; Friday, November 28 at Tulsa; and Saturday, November 29 at home against Missouri.  The Mallards will close out 2014 north of the border.  The Flock will battle the Beast in Brampton on Wednesday afternoon, December 31.  Love is unlikely to be in the air when the Mallards collide with the Oilers in Tulsa on Valentine's Day- Saturday, February 14.  The Mallards will hope the joke is on the Beast when they host Brampton on April 1.
  • The Mallards' season series against Brampton, Rapid City and Tulsa will be evenly split between home and away games.  In contrast, the Mallards will play six homes and seven road games against Missouri; four homes games alongside five away tilts against Wichita; and five home games but only three on the road against Allen.

2014-15 Mallards season tickets are now on sale.  Ticket packages are available to meet almost any budget.  A limited edition season ticket holder Mallard jersey, 12 additional ticket vouchers per seat and free parking are among a host of exclusive benefits available to season ticket holders.  For more season ticket information fans can call the Mallards' business office at 309-277-1364.  Single game seats will go on sale in September on a date to be announced.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their eighteenth season and their fifth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

28 Aug 2014

RIVER BANDITS, ASTROS EXTEND AFFILIATION

By Marco LaNave
Defending Midwest League Champions remain Class-A affiliate in top-rated minor league system
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 26, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits and Houston Astros have signed a two-year extension of their Player Development Contract through the 2016 season. River Bandits owner Dave Heller and Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan made the announcement at a press conference Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park.
In their first year of a new affiliation with the Astros in 2013, the River Bandits won the Midwest League Championship and became the first team in Minor League Baseball history to feature consecutive No. 1 overall picks on its roster with shortstop Carlos Correa and pitcher Mark Appel. Entering the 2014 season, those prospects and other current and former River Bandits were among the reasons ESPN.com ranked the Houston Astros minor league system No. 1 in all of baseball.
"The last two seasons have been a special time for Quad Cities baseball - from seeing some of the top rising prospects in baseball and major league talent on the field to a Midwest League Championship," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Houston Astros and one of the best minor league systems in baseball."
"This is a very exciting day for the Houston Astros to be able to extend our relationship with Quad Cities and with Dave Heller," said Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan. "What we want to do is have affiliates that are the gold standard of their league, and this facility, the way this community has made our players feel at home, and the extra mile that Dave and the River Bandits have gone - and will continue to go - are what makes this place so special."
River Bandits from the 2013 and 2014 seasons currently make up seven of the top 10, and 10 of the top 18 prospects in the Houston Astros organization, according to MLB.com. Included are Correa (No. 1), Appel (2), pitchers Lance McCullers (6), Michael Feliz (7) and Vincent Velasquez (8), third baseman Rio Ruiz (9), pitcher Josh Hader (10), outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (11), first baseman A.J. Reed (15), and second baseman Tony Kemp (18). In 2013, the Astros drafted Moline, Ill., native Thomas Lindauer, whose time with the River Bandits this season made him the first Quad Cities-native to play with the Midwest League franchise in 26 years.
With Correa in 2013 and Feliz in 2014, the River Bandits were the only team in Class-A baseball to be represented by a player on its roster each of the last two seasons at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
"We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Dave Heller and his Quad Cities River Bandits organization," said Astros Director of Player Development Quinton McCracken. "We are extremely excited to rejoin forces with this exciting and progressive ownership group and look forward to our players developing their baseball skills in the unique and picturesque environment at Modern Woodmen Park for years to come."
In addition to the Astros' minor league talent, four players from the Houston Astros current major league roster - including star rookies in first baseman Jon Singleton and George Springer - have played with Quad Cities in the past two seasons. In addition to Springer, pitchers Josh Fields and Anthony Bass also completed rehab assignments with the River Bandits.
Among the other highlights of the current affiliation with the Astros was a visit to Modern Woodmen Park by Astros Senior Director of Major League Field Operations, Dan Bergstrom - an Ogden, Iowa, native and Iowa State alumnus - to work with the River Bandits grounds crew for three days. The River Bandits this season also gave away bobbleheads to fans of Houston Astros legends Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Roger Clemens and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.
"The Houston Astros have been truly great partners with the River Bandits organization, not only in assembling the team playing in the Quad Cities, but also for their collaboration within their entire organization," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. "We are excited to continue a special relationship by extending the Player Development Contract."
Prior to the current affiliation, Quad Cities was also a Houston Astros affiliate from 1993 to 1998.
UP NEXT: Fan Appreciation Week continues Thursday is Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night with a River Bandits hat giveaway, and Friday is Fan Appreciation Night with postgame fireworks. Regular tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.
26 Aug 2014

BANDITS FAN 18 KERNELS, HOMER TWICE FOR WIN

By Marco LaNave
Quad Cities stays two games behind Wisconsin for a second-half playoff spot with seven games remaining
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 25, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits overcame a 2-0 deficit with a fourth-inning, game-tying, two-run home run by first baseman A.J. Reed and a go-ahead, solo home run by right fielder James Ramsay in the sixth inning of a 3-2 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 2,673 at Modern Woodmen Park Monday night.
With its first three-game winning streak since July 29, Quad Cities (31-32 second half, 66-66 overall) stayed two games behind Wisconsin (33-30) for the final second-half playoff spot in the Western Division with seven games remaining. With their fifth win in their last six games, the River Bandits moved one-half game ahead of Peoria (30-32), which will play a doubleheader Tuesday in Clinton.
Quad Cities pitchers struck out 18 batters for the first time since their home opener of April 8, 2011, when they struck out the same number in a 7-4 win over Beloit. The 33 combined strikeouts by Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids (39-24, 70-63) were the most in a River Bandits game since June 28, 2010, when Quad Cities and Wisconsin combined for 33 strikeouts in a 14-inning, 7-6 Quad Cities win.
On Monday, River Bandits right-hander Troy Scribner and Kernels left-hander Stephen Gonsalves each struck out five batters in the first three innings of a scoreless game. In the fourth inning, Cedar Rapids second baseman Tanner Vavra hit a leadoff double and scored on a double by catcher Michael Quesada. Shortstop Ryan Walker singled to center field to drive in Quesada for a 2-0 lead. After Scribner struck out designated hitter Jonatan Hinojosa and third baseman Logan Wade, he walked first baseman Chad Christensen. That ended Scribner's outing after 3 2/3 innings, in which he allowed two earned runs on six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Left-hander Jordan Mills began by hitting right fielder Alex Swim with a pitch to load the bases before striking out center fielder Max Murphy to end the inning.
With a 2-0 lead, Gonsalves hit left fielder Ryan Bottger with a pitch to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Gonsalves fanned designated hitter Chase McDonald, before Reed hit his sixth Midwest League home run - and second in three games - to make it 2-2. Gonsalves struck out four of the next five batters to finish five innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts.
Mills struck out three batters in 1 1/3 innings, before left-hander Chris Lee (8-6) began the sixth inning in a 2-2 tie. Lee pitched a perfect frame, but Kernels right-hander Jared Wilson began the bottom of the sixth inning by allowing Ramsay's third home run - all in the last 16 games - just inside the foul pole down the right-field line. Wilson completed two innings, allowing two hits and one walk with four strikeouts, and left-hander Josue Montanez struck out one batter in one inning. Kernels pitchers struck out at least one batter every inning.
Lee held the 3-2 lead despite the Kernels loading the bases in the seventh inning with his own fielding error and two walks. He struck out Walker to end the third different inning Cedar Rapids left the bases loaded. After a perfect eighth inning and getting the first two outs in the ninth, Lee allowed a single by left fielder J.D. Williams, before right-hander Keegan Yuhl struck out Vavra looking to end the game. The Kernels left 14 total runners on base and struck out at least twice in every inning except the second - the only inning they did not strike out.
Quad Cities concludes its series with Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Tuesday, when River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz (8-4) is scheduled to face Kernels left-hander Lewis Thorpe (3-2). The River Bandits host Clinton for their final three home games Wednesday through Friday.
UP NEXT: Fan Appreciation Week continues Tuesday with Iowa Fan Appreciation Night, when Iowa residents can get $1 bleacher or berm tickets by showing a valid driver's license at the box office. Regular invidivual tickets are Buy-1-Get-1 Free, Kids Eat Free and fans can bring an old can of Mountain Dew to the gates to receive a voucher for a free 16-ounce Mountain Dew. Wednesday is Isle Casino Night and Pay Your Bill Wednesday. Thursday is Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night with a River Bandits hat giveaway, and Friday is Fan Appreciation Night with postgame fireworks. Regular tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.
26 Aug 2014

PHILLIPS NAMED MIDWEST LEAGUE POSTSEASON ALL-STAR

By Marco LaNave
River Bandits have MWL Postseason All-Star in three straight seasons for first time since 1988-92

DAVENPORT, Iowa (Aug. 25, 2014) - Brett Phillips, who played 103 games as an outfielder this season for the Quad Cities River Bandits, has been named a member of the 2014 Midwest League Postseason All-Star team. Phillips' selection marks the third straight season the River Bandits have had a Midwest League Postseason All-Star - a first for the franchise since it had at least one All-Star in each of five straight seasons 1988 to 1992.

Houston's sixth-round pick in 2012 out of Seminole (Fla.) High School, Phillips was promoted to Class-A Advanced Lancaster on August 4, but he still ranks first in the Midwest League in slugging percentage (.521), second in OPS (.883) and third in both batting average (.302) and triples (12). Among all-time Quad Cities single-season marks, his 12 triples place him in a tie for second while his .521 slugging percentage is ninth. Phillips' 14 outfield assists this season are the most in the Midwest League through Sunday.

Over 103 games with the River Bandits, Phillips led the team in hits (116), triples and slugging while ranking second in doubles (21), RBIs (58) and OPS, tied for second in home runs (the first 13 of his career) and third in walks (36) and stolen bases (18). Phillips became the first Quad Cities player since at least 1998 to homer in five straight games when he did so July 26-30.

The 20-year-old Seminole, Fla., native was a starting outfielder for the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Game June 17 in West Michigan and was the youngest position player selected for the Western Division roster. Ranked as the Houston Astros' No. 30 prospect before the season by Baseball America, Phillips also won Quad Cities Player of the Month in April, when he posted a .301 batting average with three triples, two home runs and a team-high 13 RBIs. Phillips had a .394 on-base percentage, .446 slugging percentage, and .840 OPS in 23 games.

The River Bandits have had four postseason all-stars the past three seasons, as outfielder Anthony Garcia and designated hitter Colin Walsh each earned the distinction in 2012, while shortstop Carlos Correa received the honor last year. The Quad Cities franchise has had five Midwest League Postseason All-Stars in eight seasons as a Houston Astros affiliate. Outfielder Richard Hidalgo (1994), left-handed pitcher Tony Mounce (1995) and designated hitter Jim Thomas (1998) were each postseason all-stars.

Phillips is batting .367 with eight doubles, two triples, two homers and seven RBIs in 20 games with Lancaster. He has posted a .427 OBP while slugging .595 for a 1.022 OPS.

UP NEXT: Fan Appreciation Week continues with Illinios Fan Appreciation Night, when Illinois residents can get $1 bleacher or berm tickets by showing a valid driver's license at the box office. Regular bleacher and berm tickets are just $2, as are hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda, and beer on a Markdown Monday presented by 97X. An all-you-can-ride amusements pass is just $10 on Monday. On Tuesday, Iowa residents can get $1 tickets, and Thursday is Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night, when all regular tickets are half-price. Regular tickets for the homestand through Aug. 29 are available at www.riverbandits.com.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership recently made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop-N-Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

 

*****

25 Aug 2014

LINDAUER, DAVIS LEAD COMEBACK OVER KERNELS

By Marco LaNave
Quad Cities briefly postponed a playoff berth for Cedar Rapids, which clinched after Peoria's loss

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 24, 2014) - Quad Cities shortstop Thomas Lindauer cut into the Cedar Rapids Kernels' 4-0 lead with a three-run home run in the fifth inning Sunday, and third baseman J.D. Davis broke a 5-5 tie with an eighth-inning, three-run home run to lift the River Bandits to their second win when trailing by four runs this season in an 8-6 final in front of 3,598 at Modern Woodmen Park.

The second straight win for the River Bandits (30-32 second half, 65-66 overall) kept the Kernels (39-23, 70-63) from clinching a second-half playoff berth, until Peoria (30-32) lost, 4-3, in Clinton on Sunday afternoon, making Cedar Rapids the first team in the Midwest League to clinch a postseason berth in the second half. Wisconsin, before hosting Beloit Sunday night, led Quad Cities and Peoria by two-and-a-half games for the only remaining Western Division playoff spot. After Sunday, eight games remain in the regular season.

The Kernels took their first lead in the third inning against River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims. Right fielder Zack Larson hit a one-out single, and third baseman Jonatan Hinojosa drew a two-out walk. Shortstop Engelb Vielma struck out, but a passed ball by catcher Brett Booth allowed Vielma to reach first base and load the bases. First baseman Chad Christensen hit the next pitch to the bottom of the left-center field wall for a 3-0 Kernels lead. In the fourth inning, left fielder J.D. Williams doubled down the third-base line and went to third base on an error by left fielder Jose Fernandez. Larson's groundout scored Williams for a 4-0 Kernels lead. Sims retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced to pitch six innings, allowing four unearned runs, four hits, three walks, and matching a career high with seven strikeouts.

Kernels left-hander Mat Batts kept the River Bandits scoreless until the fifth inning, when designated hitter A.J. Reed hit a leadoff single to right field, and with two outs, right fielder James Ramsay singled to center field. Lindauer then took Batts deep to the Modern Woodmen Berm in left field. Lindauer's fifth home run - and the first Batts allowed in the Midwest League - cut the deficit to 4-3. Center fielder Bobby Boyd and pinch hitter Ryan Bottger hit consecutive singles to end Batts' outing, but left-hander Brandon Bixler struck out second baseman Marc Wik to keep the one-run lead. Bixler retired the first six batters he faced until Lindauer hit a seventh-inning, two-out double to left field, and Boyd grounded a 3-2 pitch into center field for a game-tying single for the only run Bixler allowed in 2 1/3 innings.

In a 4-4 tie, River Bandits right-hander Raul Rivera began his second relief inning in his Midwest League debut, and allowed three straight one-out singles to center fielder Max Murphy, Williams and designated Logan Wade, whose RBI gave Cedar Rapids a 5-4 lead. Rivera was relieved after allowing one earned run on four hits in 1 1/3 innings, and right-hander Frederick Tiburcio (4-3) entered to get Wade to ground into an inning-ending double play and went on to win his third straight relief outing despite allowing a run in the ninth inning.

With a 5-4 lead, Kernels right-hander Hudson Boyd began the eighth inning by walking Wik. First baseman Chase McDonald reached when Hinojosa misplayed a ground ball at third, and Reed doubled to right field to score the tying run. With runners at second and third bases, Davis launched his fourth Midwest League home run to left-center field for his team's first lead at 8-5. Quad Cities overcame a four-run deficit and won for the first time since a 9-8 win over Clinton after trailing, 7-3, in Game 2 of an April 30 home doubleheader.

Quad Cities continues its series with Cedar Rapids and final homestand at 7:00 p.m. Monday, when River Bandits right-hander Troy Scribner (0-2) is scheduled to face Kernels left-hander Stephen Gonsalves (2-2).

UP NEXT: Fan Appreciation Week continues with Illinios Fan Appreciation Night, when Illinois residents can get $1 bleacher or berm tickets by showing a valid driver's license at the box office. Regular bleacher and berm tickets are just $2, as are hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda, and beer on a Markdown Monday presented by 97X. An all-you-can-ride amusements pass is just $10 on Monday. On Tuesday, Iowa residents can get $1 tickets, and Thursday is Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night, when all regular tickets are half-price. Regular tickets for the homestand through Aug. 29 are available at www.riverbandits.com.

25 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Statement on Jackie Robinson West Little League Team

By Katie Hickey

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on the Jackie Robinson West Little League team's final game of the  Little League World Series:

"Jackie Robinson West has made a legendary run and finished runner-up, placing at the second best spot for any little league team across the world.

"Over these past few weeks, communities across the nation came together to watch these young boys from the South Side of Chicago win game after game against the best young ballplayers in the world.

"Throughout the tournament they have made Illinois proud and represented the very best our state has to offer.

"When they return to Chicago, they will return as true sportsmen. Everyone now knows the Jackie Robinson West team and will remember when communities across our state came together to support their special season.

"I thank Coach Butler and the families of our players who have mentored and supported the Jackie Robinson West team on and off the field. Lessons learned in competitive sports often become values instilled for a lifetime.

"Congratulations on a fantastic season, Jackie Robinson West, our very own dream team. You have made Illinois very proud."

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22 Aug 2014

Winners Named in Iowa State Fair Supreme Six-Horse Hitch

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/22/2014)(readMedia)-- Roby's Belgian of Rockwell City took first place in the Supreme Six-Horse Hitch Showdown held Sunday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair, taking home a $2,000 prize.

Second place and $1,000 were awarded to Hagemann Brothers of Stillman Valley, Ill.

Complete results below:

1) Roby's Belgian, Rockwell City

2) Hagemann Bros., Stillman Valley, Ill.

3) Aaron Mosher, Prophetstown, Ill.

4) Arlin Wareing, Blackfoot, Idaho

5) Dakota Thunder Shires, Sioux Falls, S.D.

6) Double M Farms, Delmar

7) Duane & Sara Herschberger, Milan, Mo.

8) Jenson Shires, LLC, Blair, Neb.

9) Wade Handeland, Radcliffe

10) Mohney Farm Belgians, Benton, Kan.

11) Otte Belgians, North English

12) Morgan Weaver, Afton

13) Mike Minniear, Goodland, Ind.

"Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair. The 2014 Fair ended August 17. The 2015 Iowa State Fair is set August 13-23. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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22 Aug 2014

Honors Awarded in English Society Horse Show at Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/22/2014)(readMedia)-- The English Society Horse Show took place August 12 and 13 in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results below:

Five-Gaited Open

1) Keith Equestrian Center, Marengo

Five-Gaited Iowa Owned

1) Keith Equestrian Center, Marengo

Five-Gaited Stake

1) Keith Equestrian Center, Marengo

Three-Gaited Open

1) Oak Creek Farm, Kenyon, Minn.

Three-Gaited Iowa Owned

1) Leann Delange, Indianola

Three-Gaited Stake

1) Leann Delange, Indianola

Three-Gaited Pleasure - 17 & Under

1) Riley Corell, Winterset

Three-Gaited Pleasure - 18 & Over

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Dawn Striegel, North English

3) Gretchen Stanislav, Urbandale

4) Keith Equestrian Center, Ottumwa

Three-Gaited Pleasure Stake

1) Riley Corell, Winterset

2) Dawn Striegel, North English

3) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

4) Gretchen Stanislav, Urbandale

Pleasure Model

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Simat Whipp, Clarinda

Five-Gaited Pleasure Horse

1) Green Wood Stables, Prole

2) Deanne Mundt, Urbandale

Five-Gaited Show Pleasure Stake

1) Deanne Mundt, Urbandale

Country Pleasure English - 17 & Under

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Green Wood Stables, Prole

3) Emmerson Burson, Nowalk

Country Pleasure English - 18 & Over

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Keith Equestrian Center, Ottumwa

3) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

4) Beth Hageboeck, Norwalk

5) Sara Eaton, Des Moines

6) Delaney Morrison, Norwalk

Country Pleasure English Stake

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

3) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

4) Keith Equestrian Center, Ottumwa

5) Sara Eaton, Des Moines

6) Ashley Ackerson, Indianola

Country Pleasure Western - 17 & Under

1) Jordan DeRoos, Urbandale

Country Pleasure Western - 18 & Over

1) Kim Herron, DeSoto

2) Diane Steffen, Hudson

3) Kristine Nizzi, Granger

Country Pleasure Western Stake

1) Jordan DeRoos, Urbandale

2) Kim Herron, DeSoto

3) Kristine Nizzi, Granger

4) Diane Steffen, Hudson

Country Pleasure Model

1) Kristine Nizzi, Granger

Fine Harness Iowa Owned

1) Julie Phillips, West Des Moines

2) Merle and Mary Hoff, Indianola

Fine Harness Open

1) Julie Phillips, West Des Moines

2) Merle and Mary Hoff, Indianola

Fine Harness Stake

1) Julie Phillips, West Des Moines

2) Merle and Mary Hoff, Indianola

Park Pleasure

1) Sally Graf, Clive

2) Adrian Deines, Davenport

Park Pleasure Stake

1) Sally Graf, Clive

2) Adrian Deines, Davenport

Park Open

1) Green Wood Stables, Altoona

2) Mary O'Keefe, Cumming

3) Cindy or Samantha Thomas, Pella

Park Stake

1) Green Wood Stables, Altoona

2) Mary O'Keefe, Cumming

3) Cindy or Samantha Thomas, Pella

Saddle Seat Equitation - 17 & Under

1) Tancy Colburn Becker, Sac City

2) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

3) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

Saddle Seat Equitation Stake

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

3) Tancy Colburn Becker, Sac City

Hackney Pony Single

1) Heavenly Acres, Dysart

Hackney Pony Single Stake

1) Heavenly Acres, Dysart

Hackney Harness Pony Single

1) Melvin Jennings, Mitchellville

Hackney Harness Pony Single Stake

1) Melvin Jennings, Mitchellville

Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving

1) Heavenly Acres, Dysart

2) Judith McDonough, Douds

3) Douglas Anderson, DVM, Davenport

4) Douglas Anderson, DVM, Davenport

Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Stake

1) Heavenly Acres, Dysart

2) Judith McDonough, Douds

3) Douglas Anderson, DVM, Davenport

4) Douglas Anderson, DVM, Davenport

Roadster Pony Single - Open

1) Melvin Jennings, Mitchellville

2) Judith McDonough, Douds

Roadster Pony Single - Amateur

1) Melvin Jennings, Mitchellville

2) Rob, Melissa and Hope Hatchitt, Cumming

3) Judith McDonough, Douds

Roadster Pony Stake

1) Melvin Jennings, Mitchellville

2) Rob, Melissa and Hope Hatchitt, Cumming

3) Judith McDonough, Douds

Morgan Gelding at Halter

1) Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

2) Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

3) Judy Gauger, Marengo

Grand Champion Morgan: Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

Reserve Grand Champion Morgan: Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

Morgan Open Pleasure Driving

1) Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

2) Judy Gauger, Marengo

3) Kenneth Ranney, Nora Springs

Morgan English Pleasure

1) Judy Gauger, Marengo

2) Melvin Jennings, Mitchellville

Morgan Western Pleasure

1) Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

2) Judy Gauger, Marengo

3) Kenneth Ranney, Nora Springs

Morgan Registered Hunter Pleasure

1) Kenneth Ranney, Nora Springs

Arabian Halter

1) Sharon Gleich, Urbandale

2) Dream Catchers Farm, Inc., Redfield

3) Kelly Snyder, Grimes

4) Natalie Clement, Altoona

5) Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids

6) Heide Green, Des Moines

Arabian/Half Arabian Hunter Pleasure - Open

1) Sharon Gleich, Urbandale

2) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

3) Natalie Chere Patterson, Norwalk

4) Heide Green, Des Moines

5) Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids

6) Rusty Anvil Ranch, Springville

Half Arabian Halter

1) Ashley Ackerson, Indianola

2) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

Arabian/Half Arabian Western Pleasure - 17 & Under

1) Emmerson Burson, Nowalk

2) Natalie Chere Patterson, Norwalk

3) Sydney Etten, Hazleton

4) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

Arabian/Half Arabian Western Pleasure - 18 & Over

1) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

2) Heide Green, Des Moines

3) Sydney Etten, Hazleton

4) Rusty Anvil Ranch, Springville

5) Sapphire Ribbons, Kensett

Arabian/Half Arabian Country English Pleasure - Open

1) Ashley Ackerson, Indianola

2) Kelly Snyder, Grimes

3) Emmerson Burson, Nowalk

4) Natalie Clement, Altoona

5) Dream Catchers Farm, Inc., Redfield

6) Rachel Feikma, Norwalk

Arabian/Half Arabian Native Costume - Open

1) Erin Runde, Kensett

2) Rusty Anvil Ranch, Springville

3) Kristine Nizzi, Granger

4) Rusty Anvil Ranch, Springville

5) Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids

6) Dream Catchers Farm, Inc., Redfield

Arabian/Half Arabian Western Pleasure Stake

1) Emmerson Burson, Nowalk

2) Natalie Chere Patterson, Norwalk

3) Heide Green, Des Moines

4) Rusty Anvil Ranch, Springville

5) Sydney Etten, Hazleton

Open Western Pleasure - 17 & Under

1) Emmerson Burson, Nowalk

2) Natalie Chere Patterson, Norwalk

3) Sydney Etten, Hazleton

4) Jordan DeRoos, Urbandale

Open Eng/Hunt Seat Walk-Trot Pleasure - 17 & Under

1) Kelly Snyder, Grimes

2) Keith Equestrian Center, Ottumwa

Open Hunt Seat

1) Simat Whipp, Clarinda

2) Heartland Stable, Grimes

3) Caroline Anderson, Ottumwa

4) Heartland Stables, Granger

5) Beth Doggett, Ottumwa

6) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

Open Country English Pleasure

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Beth Hageboeck, Norwalk

3) Sapphire Ribbons, Kensett

4) Green Wood Stables, Norwalk

5) Delaney Morrison, Norwalk

6) Kelly Snyder, Grimes

Open Western Pleasure - 18 & Over

1) Diane Steffen, Hudson

2) Natalie Chere Patterson, Norwalk

3) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

4) Tancy Colburn Becker, Sac City

5) Heide Green, Des Moines

6) Sydney Etten, Hazleton

Open Novice English Pleasure

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Keith Equestrian Center, Ottumwa

3) Dawn Striegel, North English

4) Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids

5) Green Wood Stables, Norwalk

6) Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids

Open Lead Line - 6 & Under

1tie) Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

1tie) Sharon Gleich, Urbandale

1tie) Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

1tie) Erin Runde, Kensett

1tie) Kim Herron, DeSoto

1tie) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

1tie) Mary and Lyle Borg, Pella

1tie) Judy Gauger, Marengo

Open Western Walk-Trot - 17 & Under

1) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

2) Erin Runde, Kensett

Open Walk-Trot Western Pleasure - Adult

1) Heartland Stable, Grimes

2) Rusty Anvil Ranch, Springville

Open Pleasure Driving

1) Heartland Stable, Grimes

2) Mary O'Keefe, Cumming

3) Erin Runde, Kensett

Open English Pleasure

1) Deanne Mundt, Urbandale

2) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

3) Wendy Finch-Levis, West Des Moines

4) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

5) Keith Equestrian Center, Ottumwa

6) Kelly Snyder, Grimes

Open English Pleasure Stake

1) Renae Van Zomeren, Leighton

2) Deanne Mundt, Urbandale

3) Kelly Snyder, Grimes

4) Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids

5) Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids

6) Sapphire Ribbons, Kensett

Open Pleasure Driving Stake

1) Wendy Finch-Levis, West Des Moines

2) Mary O'Keefe, Cumming

Open Hunt Seat Stake

1) Sharon Gleich, Urbandale

2) Heartland Stables, Granger

3) Simat Whipp, Clarinda

4) Heartland Stable, Grimes

5) Jessica Ackerson, Indianola

6) Kristine Nizzi, Granger

"Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair. The 2014 Fair ended August 17. The 2015 Iowa State Fair is set August 13-23. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

* * *

22 Aug 2014

Volunteers Needed for NAFA Masters Fastpitch Tournament

By Dr. Jeffrey Bassman

First, I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped out with the first two NAFA tournaments -- the success of these events was due to all of our great volunteer support!

For anyone that was unavailable for the first two tournaments, we are still in need for the upcoming NAFA Masters tournament.  The Masters will take place September 5-7 at Green Valley Sports Complex in Moline (5920 52nd Ave., Moline, IL).

Click the REGISTER button to sign-up to volunteer.

Benefits of volunteering:

  • FREE Volunteer T-Shirt
  • FREE Tournament Entry
  • Lunch voucher
  • Involvement in a fastpitch tournament with elite players from around the world

If you have questions, please contact Ryan Merritt at (309) 736-6825.

Thank you in advance for your help!

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