07 Aug 2014

FELIZ'S MASTERPIECE STOPS BANDITS' SLIDE

By Marco LaNave

A.J. Reed and Ryan Bottger each homer to help Quad Cities win 4-0 game following 7-3 loss

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 5, 2014) - For the second time in three weeks, right-hander Michael Feliz pulled the Quad Cities River Bandits out of a six-game losing streak with a brilliant starting effort, pitching a career-high eight shutout innings and striking out a season-high nine batters in a 4-0 win over the Burlington Bees in front of 3,358 at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night.

Following a 7-3 loss in the completion of Monday's suspended game, Quad Cities (22-21 second half, 57-56 overall) got its longest starting pitching performance in more than two years. After pitching seven shutout innings July 19 to beat Lake County and snap his team's six-game losing streak, Feliz (7-4) pitched eight innings for the first time since he did so July 6, 2012, for the Gulf Coast League Astros. Feliz's start Tuesday was the longest by a River Bandit since Kyle Hald pitched a nine-inning game in a 6-2 win over Burlington June 4, 2012.

Feliz out-dueled fellow 2014 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game pitcher Victor Alcantara (6-6), who struck out a career-high 11 batters in six innings, allowing three runs - one earned - on five hits. Bees left-hander Cole Swanson struck out five batters in two innings, and River Bandits right-hander Keegan Yuhl struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning. Quad Cities batters struck out a season-high 16 times, and the two teams combined for 27 strikeouts among 51 total defensive outs. There were no walks in the game - a first for Quad Cities and an opponent since April 18, 2010, when the River Bandits won 4-3, over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park.

Feliz worked three times through the Bees batting order, allowing one hit each time. In the first inning, he allowed a two-out double by shortstop Zach Houchins before recording his first strikeout of Bees first baseman Eric Aguilera. Second baseman Kody Eaves hit a two-out triple in the third inning, but Feliz got left fielder Bo Way on a groundout to first base. Feliz retired nine in a row before Way hit a two-out single in the sixth inning, but Feliz struck out Houchins to end the inning. He set down the final seven batters he faced, including his ninth strikeout - matching the most by a River Bandit this season - to end the eighth inning.

Alcantara retired the first seven batters of the game to extend a string of 20 River Bandits retired in order by Burlington (20-24, 58-55), which also did not allow hit for 10 2/3 innings until River Bandits second baseman Marc Wik lined a third-inning, one-out single to center field. Wik reached second base when center fielder Mike Fish bobbled the ball and scored on a two-out single by center fielder James Ramsay. Designated hitter A.J. Reed hit his fourth home run in nine Midwest League games in the fourth inning for a 2-0 lead. In the fifth inning, catcher Brett Booth and Wik hit consecutive singles, and two Bees throwing errors scored Booth. Wik was thrown out trying to score on a pitch that escaped Bees catcher Stephen McGee with rehabbing Astros outfielder George Springer at the plate to end the inning. Springer grounded out to third base twice and made one catch in five innings in right field in his second game with Quad Cities. Left fielder Ryan Bottger added his first Midwest League home run in the seventh inning off Swanson for a 4-0 River Bandits lead.

The teams resumed Monday's game with a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth inning, and River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims (2-4) allowed four earned runs on two hits, three walks and a hit batter in the seventh inning. Bees right-hander Alex Blackford (1-3) was perfect in four innings, and Bees right fielder Ranyelmy Mendoza finished 4-for-5 in the game. Houchins had three RBIs for the Bees, who had 15 hits, including 14 singles, to snap their eight-game losing streak and briefly extend the River Bandits' streak to match a season-high six games.

Quad Cities hosts Burlington for the rubber match of the three-game series at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias (7-5) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Harrison Cooney (8-5), who leads the league with a 2.19 ERA.

06 Aug 2014

BANDITS OPEN MEDIACOM "DROP'N TWIST" RIDE

By Rick Martin
New ride in Modern Woodmen Park Party Plaza will be open for games and weekend non-game days
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 5, 2014) -  The Quad Cities River Bandits and Main Street Amusements will open another new ride at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night, as the Mediacom "Drop'N Twist" makes its debut in the ballpark's Party Plaza.
The Mediacom Drop'N Twist is a pneumatically-powered, 30-foot tower manufactured by SBF Rides. The ride vertically bounces a gondola that holds eight twelve riders around the tower. The entire tower also rotates in a circle while the gondola bounces up and down. It is a family ride that parents can enjoy with their children, and replaces the Froghopper, which only served children.
"The Mediacom Drop'N Twist brings another thrill to the amusements experience at Modern Woodmen Park, one that parents and kids can enjoy together" said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "We have lifted people high above the ballpark on the Ferris wheel, sent them soaring on the zip Line, and tumbled them around in Space Camp. Now they can twirl and bounce while getting a 360-degree view of the ballpark and the Mississippi River on the new Mediacom Drop'N Twist!"
For Tuesday's opening of the Mediacom Drop'N Twist, gates open at 4:30 p.m. with Buy-1-Get-1 Free River Bandits game tickets. Kids Eat Free on a Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC, and Q106.5, and fans can bring an old Mountain Dew can to the ballpark and receive a voucher for a free 16-ounce soda.
The Mediacom Drop'N Twist requires three amusement coupons to ride and is included with unlimited-ride wristband packages. Riders must be at least 41 inches in height. The Mediacom Drop'N Twist, Space Camp, 300-foot zip line and the 105-foot Ferris wheel are all open during all River Bandits home games, normally beginning 90 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. The rides are also open every Saturday morning - weather permitting - from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as weekend non-game days: Fridays 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
UP NEXT: Gates open at 4:30 p.m. on Dew For Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5, with all tickets are buy-one-get-one free, Kids Eat Free, and fans can bring an old Mountain Dew can to the ballpark and receive a voucher for a free 16-ounce soda. Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank and Mix96 means two fans will have their bills paid up to $100 by the River Bandits, and for Ninja Turtles Night, fans who wear a Ninja Turtles shirt will receive $1 off the regular ticket price, and fans in a Ninja Turtles costume will receive $2 off the regular ticket price. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.
05 Aug 2014

ASTROS SEND GEORGE SPRINGER FOR REHAB IN QUAD CITIES

By Marco LaNave
Star rookie outfielder, five weeks after appearing on Sports Illustrated cover, will be fourth player on Houston's major league roster play with the River Bandits in the last 15 months

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 3, 2014) - The Houston Astros are sending outfielder George Springer on a rehab assignment with the Quad Cities River Bandits, who will open a seven-game homestand at 7 p.m. Monday against Burlington at Modern Woodmen Park. Springer is scheduled to play three games Monday through Wednesday with the River Bandits.

Springer is the fourth Houston Astros player on the major league roster to appear with Quad Cities in the last 15 months, and his rehab appearance is the second by a major leaguer for the Midwest League club this season. Astros right-hander Anthony Bass pitched three games for the River Bandits June 24, 26 and 29. Right-hander Josh Fields pitched twice at Modern Woodmen Park May 10 and 13, 2013. Astros first baseman Jon Singleton played six games and hit three home runs with Quad Cities May 28-June 3, 2013.

"We are so delighted to welcome George Springer to the Quad Cities," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "George Springer is the biggest name rehab player that Quad Cities has had in nearly a decade, and a true budding star, and it will be a great treat for the Quad Cities fans to get to meet him, watch him play and get his autograph."

In his first major league season, the 24-year-old Springer has hit 20 home runs, one shy of the Astros rookie record of 21 set by Lance Berkman in 2000. Since joining Houston April 16, Springer has already set the franchise rookie records with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs before the All-Star Break. In 78 games, he holds a .231 batting average and ranks second on the Astros this season in home runs, runs (48), RBIs (51), and walks (39). All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (.821) is the only Astro with a higher on-base-plus-slugging percentage than Springer (.804).

When he was placed on the disabled list July 23 (retroactive to July 20) with a right quad strain, Springer was second among American League outfielders in home runs and seventh in OPS. He also ranked in the top three among all major league rookies in home runs (second), RBIs (51, second), slugging percentage (.468, second), walks (39, first), on-base percentage (.336, 2nd) and runs (45, third).

A native of New Britain, Conn., Springer was the Astros' first-round (11th overall) pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, becoming the highest-drafted player in University of Connecticut baseball history. He entered the 2014 season ranked as the Astros' No. 2 prospect by Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus

In 2013, Springer became the first minor leaguer in four years - and first-ever Astros minor leaguer - to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 30 bases. He was named Minor League Baseball's 2013 Offensive Player of the Year and the Astros Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .303 with 27 doubles, four triples, 37 homers, 108 RBI, 45 stolen bases and a 1.010 OPS (.411 OBP/.600 SLG) combined between Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Corpus Christi. He was also the Double-A Texas League Player of the Year and joined Delino DeShields and former River Bandit Carlos Correa as Houston's representatives in the All-Star Futures Game.

"For the Astros to send two of their top prospects and now major league players - Jon Singleton and George Springer - in addition to two major league pitchers to the Quad Cities, shows the great priority they place on the affiliation and partnership with the River Bandits," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser.

Quad Cities (21-21 second half, 56-55 overall) has a three-game home series Monday through Wednesday against the Burlington Bees, followed by a four-game home series against the Beloit Snappers Thursday through Sunday.

04 Aug 2014

BANDITS HIT 3 HOMERS BUT LOSE 5TH STRAIGHT

By Marco LaNave

Despite a five-homer series, Quad Cities is swept in a road series for the first time this season

GENEVA, Ill. (August 3, 2014) - Left fielder Chase McDonald, first baseman A.J. Reed and catcher Brett Booth each hit home runs for the Quad Cities River Bandits, but every Kane County starter contributed to the team's 17 hits in a 9-5 Cougars win and three-game series sweep at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Sunday afternoon.

Cougars catcher Cael Brockmeyer hit his team's only home run of the three-game series, finished 3-for-5 and was one of three Cougars with two-RBI games. Cougars shortstop Daniel Lockhart and second baseman Chesny Young each had a double and three hits. Quad Cities (21-21 second half, 56-55 overall) has allowed 42 runs on 70 hits during its current five-game losing streak.

For the third straight game, Kane County (25-17 second half, 70-42 overall) took at least a three-run lead by the end of the second inning. Against right-hander Andrew Thurman (5-7), Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario led off the second inning with a triple to right field and scored on a single by Brockmeyer. Young doubled to right field, putting runners at second and third bases. Groundouts by right fielder Jeffrey Baez and center fielder Trey Martin made it 3-0. Both Baez and Martin joined Brockmeyer in having two-RBI games.

In the third inning, Lockhart doubled to right field and moved to third base on a wild pitch when Thurman walked first baseman Ben Carhart. Designated hitter Victor Caratini hit an RBI single to right field, extending the Cougars' lead to 4-0.

Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (10-5) faced one batter over the minimum in the first three innings before Quad Cities cut into the deficit in the fourth. Right fielder Ryan Bottger hit a leadoff single to right field, and McDonald launched a ball into the trees beyond the signs in left-center field for his 12th home run of the season, shrinking Kane County's lead to 4-2. But the Cougars answered in the bottom of the inning, as Baez hit a one-out double and to left field and scored on a single by Martin for a 5-2 lead.

Torrez had set down seven batters in a row - including four on strikeouts - before Reed blasted a drive over the picnic deck in right field for his third home run in his first week in the Midwest League. Brockmeyer answered with his home run on Thurman's first pitch in the bottom of the inning. Young singled to chase Thurman, who allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits and three walks with two strikeouts in five-plus innings. Left-hander Albert Minnis entered to allow a triple to center field by Baez, who scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. With two outs and the bases empty, Lockhart singled, stole second base and scored on Carhart's RBI single to make it 9-3. Minnis allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk with one strikeout in two relief innings.

After Torrez allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in six innings, right-hander David Garner began the seventh inning, and Booth hit his fourth home run of the season off the video board in left field - the fifth different player to homer in the last two games for the River Bandits, who have hit 15 home runs in their last nine games.

Garner worked two innings, and right-hander Francisco Carrillo debuted for the Cougars in the ninth inning. Reed hit a leadoff double for his first two-hit game in the Midwest League and scored on Booth's sacrifice fly, but Carrillo completed the inning to seal the 9-5 final.

Quad Cities opens a seven-game homestand and three-game home series against Burlington at 7 p.m. Monday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Chris Lee (7-5) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Garrett Nuss (5-1).

UP NEXT: On Markdown Monday presented by 97X, the River Bandits will offer $2 bleacher and berm tickets, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game, and an All-You-Can-Ride Amusements Pass is just $10. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

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, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has also reopened. Soon to come is another new ride, this one called a "Drop and Twist." 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.

04 Aug 2014

NFL Must Take Action on Bird-Killing Stadiums

By Robert Johns

Things have been going pretty well lately for the National Football League. Revenues this past year were around $10 billion. Arguably, football is the most watched and followed sport in this country. But developments surrounding the planning of a new football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings offer a glimpse of an emerging unseemly indifference by the team's owners and the NFL to wildlife impacts that is disturbing to millions of people who care about the nonhuman species that share our planet.

Plans for the proposed new stadium call for a massive wall of glass that experts say will assuredly kill thousands of birds over the life of the facility. Bird and wildlife advocates have raised this concern with stadium developers and with city planners. Reasonable solutions were offered from conservationists early in the process. The response from the team and the NFL has been as frigid as the Minnesota winters: the glass will go in exactly as planned. And this is in spite of a new resolution from the Minneapolis City Council calling for bird-saving preventative measures.

The stadium, which is expected to open in two years, will cost nearly $1 billion to build. The bird-friendly changes requested- installing "fritted" glass with ceramic dots that birds see and generally avoid?would cost about $1.1 million. For an outlay of one-tenth of one percent of the cost of the stadium, this problem goes away. This is pocket change to the NFL and team owners.

For some reason, team owners and the NFL feel empowered to ignore what in all likelihood will be daily avian carnage at their facility. The irony of that position is stunning: The NFL makes massive marketing use of birds like eagles (Philadelphia), falcons (Atlanta), cardinals (Arizona), seahawks (Seattle) and ravens (Baltimore) while at the same time sanctioning the building of stadiums with features that serve as bird death traps.

How big a problem is bird collisions with glass? Huge. A recent report from federal scientists at the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that bird-glass collisions are the second-leading human-caused mortality threat faced by birds, with between 400 million and one billion birds killed in the U.S. in that fashion every year. All kinds of birds are affected: hawks, falcons, owls, songbirds. It is one reason why over 200 species of birds are in decline or otherwise in serious trouble.

Team owners and the NFL would do well to recognize that Minneapolis is one of a relative handful of cities that have the laudable distinction of being federally designated as an Urban Bird Treaty city, which means that they have shown uncommon interest in protecting and conserving birds. Somehow, I think some have forgotten what that means? and how inconsistent current actions are with that notable designation.

I hope the NFL will step in and demonstrate some level of common sense and compassion for wildlife, encouraging the Minnesota Vikings (and other team owners with similar problems) to do the right thing. Absent that, about 100,000 Viking football fans will be exposed to a lot of "inconvenient truths" each game: the repeated thud as birds crash into a glass wall at 40 miles per hour, and the sight of birds littering the ground at their feet.

Dr. George Fenwick, 202-234-7181, gfenwick@abcbirds.org

President, American Bird Conservancy

Washington, D.C. 20009

 

 

01 Aug 2014

WIK TIES TRIPLES RECORD IN LOSS TO CLINTON

By Marco LaNave

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 31, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits third baseman Marc Wik tied a Midwest League record with three triples and had a career-high four RBIs Thursday night, but the Clinton LumberKings hit six doubles and two home runs among 18 hits in a 13-9 win in a series rubber match in front of 4,892 at Modern Woodmen Park.

LumberKings center fielder Isaiah Yates led all players with four hits - including two doubles - and five RBIs, while catcher Marcus Littlewood reached base in all six plate appearances, walking three times, finishing a triple shy of the cycle and scoring four runs. Eight LumberKings had a hit, and six had multi-hit games, while the team scored all its runs in five multi-run innings. The 13 earned runs and 18 hits were the most allowed by Quad Cities this season.

Clinton (15-24 second half, 45-62 overall) reached the scoreboard in the first inning against right-hander Michael Feliz (6-4), who had only allowed five runs - three earned - in his first 34 innings at Modern Woodmen Park this season. Designated hitter Luis Caballero walked, right fielder Chantz Mack hit an RBI double, and Yates hit an RBI single for a 2-0 lead. The River Bandits (21-18, 56-52) took their only lead in the second inning. Left-hander Blake Holovach (6-4) hit designated hitter A.J. Reed with a pitch and allowed a one-out single to catcher Brian Holberton. Wik drove a two-run triple to the right-center field gap and scored when shortstop Thomas Lindauer hit a two-out single. Lindauer scored on a two-out double by right fielder Brett Phillips.

With a 4-2 lead, Feliz retired the first two batters of the third inning before another LumberKings rally. Littlewood doubled and scored on left fielder Brett Thomas' single. Yates doubled to put runners at second and third bases, and a wild pitch scored Thomas for a 4-4 tie. Third baseman Martin Peguero singled to give his team a 5-4 lead. Feliz retired the next five batters in a row, before Littlewood started another rally with a one-out single in the fifth inning. Thomas walked, and Yates hit a two-run double, ending Feliz's night. Left-hander Albert Minnis later allowed a two-out infield single by second baseman Andy Peterson that scored Yates for an 8-4 Clinton lead. Feliz was charged with career highs of eight earned runs on 10 hits. In 4 1/3 innings, he walked four batters and struck out three.

In the bottom of the fifth, center fielder James Ramsay hit a leadoff triple and scored on a groundout by first baseman Chase McDonald. Left fielder Ryan Bottger reached on a two-out error by shortstop Jack Reinheimer and later score d on Holberton's single. Wik hit his second triple to right-center field, but was left at third base in an 8-7 game. Holovach allowed seven runs - five earned - in five innings.

Clinton restored its four-run lead in the sixth inning, when Minnis gave up his first home run since June 25, 2013, to Mack and allowed a two-run single by Yates to make it 11-7. Quad Cities tallied runs in the seventh and eighth innings against LumberKings right-hander Rafael Pineda. Reed led off the seventh with a double and scored on Wik's third triple to left-center field. Wik had two career triples entering Thursday and became the fifth player in Midwest League history - and first ever for Quad Cities - to triple three times in a single game. Wisconsin's Michael Reed was the last to do so, when he had three triples May 22, 2013, at Modern Woodmen Park. In the eighth inning, Lindauer singled and scored on Ramsay's sacrifice fly. Right-hander Emilio Pagan escaped the eighth inning with an 11-9 lead, and Littlewood's two-run home run in the ninth off right-hander Frederick Tiburcio, insured Pagan's 12th save after his two scoreless innings.

Quad Cities opens a three-game series against first-half Western Division champion Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims (2-2) is scheduled to face left-hander Tyler Ihrig, who will make his Cougars debut
31 Jul 2014

Annual Parade to Kick-Off 2014 Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (07/31/2014)(readMedia)-- The 2014 Iowa State Fair Parade is set Wednesday, August 6. The Parade will begin at 6:15 p.m. in downtown Des Moines and is the kick-off to this year's "Amazingly Amusing" Fair, August 7-17.

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will serve as this year's Parade Marshal in honor of over 100 years of service to the Des Moines Area. The CVB draws millions of visitors to the area each year and serves as a resource for many local events including amateur, collegiate and professional sports in tandem with the Des Moines Area Sports Commission, a division of the CVB. In the last several years, the CVB has collaborated with the Iowa State Fair to bring even more events to the area including the NAIA Wrestling Tournament, Percheron Horse Association of America's World Congress and National Junior High Finals Rodeo.

The CVB is led by President and CEO Greg Edwards. In addition to his role with the organization, Edwards serves as Chair of the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Des Moines Affiliate, as a board member for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Destination Marketing Alliance and the Travel Federation of Iowa, and Past Chair of Destination Marketing Association International.

The Iowa State Fair Parade is the state's largest, showcasing nearly 200 floats, animals, vehicles, novelty and performing units. Staging will take place at the State Capitol complex. Parade entrants will then travel west on Grand Avenue to 13th Street. Dispersion will take place between 13th and 18th Streets.

Highlights of the gala event will be re-broadcast on parade night throughout central Iowa on KDSM Fox 17 beginning at 10 p.m.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

31 Jul 2014

Simon announces 2014 State Fair schedule

By Ken Lowe

Lt. Governor's tent highlights Illinois Reads authors

 

SPRINGFIELD - July 31, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today announced plans for the 2014 Illinois State Fair, which include a Back-to-School Book Drive, a book giveaway and readings by Illinois Reads authors, including Newbery award-winning author Joan Bauer. Simon also will present the annual Agriculture Day awards and make her fourth annual appearance with her band, Loose Gravel.

"The Illinois State Fair is a much-loved tradition, and it is one that my family and I have enjoyed for many years," said Simon. "This year I am excited to showcase Illinois authors, including a recipient of the Newbery Award, in my tent. I encourage families to stop by and promote a love of reading for all generations of fairgoers."

As an ambassador to Illinois Reads, Simon is partnering with the Illinois Reading Council to showcase live readings, a book giveaway and a book drive at her tent during the 10-day fair. Visitors may drop off new or gently used children's books to be donated to Springfield schools, and also register to win the 35 books selected for Illinois Reads 2014, a literacy project aimed at children and adults.

Illinois authors selected for Illinois Reads 2014 and 2013 will appear in Lt. Governor Simon's tent, including Joan Bauer, a New York Times bestselling author, whose awards include the Newbery Honor Medal and the Chicago Tribune Young Adult Literary Prize. She will read from her youth novel "Rules of the Road," named one of the top young adult books of the quarter century by the American Library Association. Bauer is originally from River Forest (see complete reading list below).

On Governor's Day, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and Loose Gravel will perform from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Shed. The Carbondale-based blues band debuted at the state fair three years ago and is the only group fronted by a constitutional officer to perform.

On Ag Day, Simon will celebrate Illinois' rich agricultural heritage by presenting the Ag Day Awards to families who have farmed in the state for at least 100 years. A resident of southern Illinois, Simon is chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council and advocates for agriculture education. Simon's husband, Perry Knop, comes from a family that has farmed over a century near Steeleville.

Lt. Governor Simon's tent is located at the intersection of Main Street and Brian Raney Avenue, across from the Emmerson Building and will be open Friday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information about Illinois Reads, please visit www.IllinoisReads.org.


LT. GOVERNOR SIMON'S STATE FAIR EVENTS


EVENT: Ag Day Awards
DATE: Tuesday, Aug. 12
TIME: 12:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Director's Lawn, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield

EVENT: Loose Gravel performance
DATE: Wednesday, Aug. 13
TIME: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Shed, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield

 

AUTHOR APPEARANCES AT THE LT. GOVERNOR'S TENT

 

Friday, Aug. 8

 

EVENT: "Hollywood on Lake Michigan" by Michael Corcoran

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A retrospective on a century of Chicago's relationship with the movies. Author Michael Corcoran is a certified Chicago tour guide and lecturer. Recommended for students in grades nine through12.

 

EVENT: "The Fourth Stall" by Chris Rylander

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

A humorous tale of crime, betrayal and school. Author Chris Rylander lives in Chicago. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

 

EVENT: "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" by Edward Kelsey Moore

TIME: 3 to 5 p.m.

The New York Times bestseller tells the tale of three small-town Indiana women as they stick together through 40 years of life, love, and the blues. Author Edward Kelsey Moore was born in Indiana and lives in Chicago. Recommended for adults.

 

Saturday, Aug. 9

 

EVENT: "Rules of the Road" by Joan Bauer

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Awkward, 16 year-old Jenna learns life lessons as she drives her crusty old employer cross country in a bid to save the family business in this New York Times bestselling novel. Newbery Award-winner Joan Bauer is originally from River Forest. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

 

EVENT: "Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer" by Carol Brendler

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

Winnie Finn is determined to win a prize at the county fair for her worms, even though there's no worm prize... Carol Brendler has lived in Palatine, Oak Park and Mokena. Recommended for students in kindergarten through second grade.

 

Sunday, Aug. 10

 

EVENT: "The Journal of Best Practices" by David Finch

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The New York Times bestselling story of the author's journey of self-improvement after he and his wife learn he has Asperger Syndrome. David Finch lives in Northern Illinois. Recommended for adults.

 

EVENT: "Peep!" by Kevin Luthardt

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

A young boy makes a new friend when a baby duckling hatches and starts following him around. Author, muralist and University of Illinois graduate Kevin Luthardt lives in Illinois. Recommended for children up to age 4.

 

Wednesday, Aug. 13

 

EVENT: "Charlie Collier, Snoop for Hire: The Homemade Stuffing Caper" by John V. Madormo

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Twelve-year-old private eye Charlie Collier is on the trail of a lost parrot in this puzzle-filled first installment of an ongoing series. Author John Madormo, lives in Naperville. Recommended for students in grades three through five.

 

Saturday, Aug. 16

 

EVENT: "1 Zany Zoo" by Lori Degman

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Foxes who steal keys, beavers who cook chili and hyenas who play the blues are some of the things you might see before the gates open at this zany zoo. Author, mother and special education teacher Lori Degman lives in Vernon Hills. Recommended for children up to age 4.

 

EVENT: "The Bully Book" by Eric Kahn Gale

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

Eric Haskins must find the mysterious Bully Book to figure out how he has been turned into the school's punching bag. Born in suburban Michigan, Eric Kahn Gale lives in Chicago. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

 

EVENT: "Dark Life" by Kat Falls

TIME: 3 to 5 p.m.

Set in a world where the oceans have risen and humanity lives partially undersea, a young ocean floor farmer must defend his home from outlaws. Kat Falls teaches at Northwestern University and lives in Evanston. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

 

Sunday, Aug. 17

 

EVENT: "Dark Life" by Kat Falls

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Set in a world where the oceans have risen and humanity lives partially undersea, a young ocean floor farmer must defend his home from outlaws. Kat Falls teaches at Northwestern University and lives in Evanston. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

 

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31 Jul 2014

LUMBERKINGS OVERCOME BANDITS' BIG SWINGS

By Marco LaNave

Brett Phillips has five of Quad Cities' 10 home runs in the last five games for a team total of 29 in July

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 30, 2014) - Brett Phillips became the first Quad Cities player in at least 16 seasons to homer in five straight games, and A.J. Reed homered for the second time in three Midwest League games, but the Clinton LumberKings overcame a 4-0 deficit and scored the deciding run in the ninth inning of a 6-5 win for the visitors in front of 2,977 at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.

Quad Cities (21-17 second half, 56-51 overall) and Clinton (14-24, 44-62) were scoreless until the fourth inning. River Bandits left-hander Chris Lee struck out five in his first four innings, while LumberKings right-hander Seon-Gi Kim struck out the game's first four batters and recorded the first six outs on strikeouts. Kim had retired 10 of the first 11 batters when first baseman Chase McDonald hit a one-out single in the fourth inning for his team's first hit. Reed hit the next pitch from Kim over the right-field for his second hit - and second home run - in the Midwest League. Lee kept the 2-0 lead by getting his third ground-ball double play of the night in a scoreless top of the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, River Bandits third baseman Marc Wik hit a double down the left-field line, and two batters later, with shortstop Thomas Lindauer at the plate and one out, an opossum came onto the field and delayed the game briefly. Once it was removed from the field, Kim fanned Lindauer for his season-high eight strikeout, but Phillips followed with a home run to right-center field.

Phillips' home run was his 12th of the season and his career and gave Quad Cities a 4-0 lead. His home runs in five straight games is a feat unmatched by a Quad Cities player since at least the 1998 season. In July, Phillips has eight home runs - the most in a single month by a Quad Cities player since Tyler Greene hit nine in July 2006. The River Bandits' 29 home runs in 27 July games are their most in a single month since hitting 30 in 31 games in May 2012.

Once Lee started the sixth inning, the lead did not last until the first out. A walk by center fielder Aaron Barbosa and single by shortstop Jack Reinheimer preceded a two-run triple by left fielder Chantz Mack, who scored on designated hitter Justin Seager's RBI single to chase Lee after five-plus innings, in which he allowed four earned runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Left-hander Chris Cotton came in and allowed a game-tying triple by catcher Marcus Littlewood and a go-ahead single by first baseman Jeff Zimmerman for a 5-4 Clinton lead. Cotton got the next three outs and did not allow a run in the rest of his 2 2/3 innings.

After Kim allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks in five innings, left-hander Paul Fry inherited a 5-4 lead to start the sixth inning. Catcher Brian Holberton singled to left field and went to second on an error by Mack, went to third base on a single by left fielder Ryan Bottger and scored on Wik's sacrifice fly. Quad Cities would get only one hit in its final 11 at-bats and was out-hit by Clinton, 12-7.

The 5-5 tie remained until the ninth inning, when right-hander Andrew Walter allowed singles by third baseman Martin Peguero and second baseman Luis Caballero. A fielder's choice on a bunt, a wild pitch and a walk loaded the bases with one out. Mack hit popup that Lindauer caught sliding in foul territory behind third base, on which Caballero scored the go-ahead run. In the bottom of the inning, right-hander Kevin McCoy allowed a leadoff single to Bottger but stranded the tying run at second base to end his team's six-game losing streak.

Quad Cities plays the rubber match of its three-game series with Clinton at 7 p.m. Thursday. River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz (6-3) is scheduled to face LumberKings left-hander Blake Holovach (5-4).

UP NEXT: "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase will appear at Modern Woodmen Park for Pro Wrestling Night on Thursday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by the River Cities' Reader. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

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, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has also reopened. Soon to come is another new ride, this one called a "Drop and Twist." 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.

*****
30 Jul 2014

BANDITS BOP LUMBERKINGS 7-5 FOR FOURTH IN A ROW

By Scott Kornberg

Phillips and McDonald each homer again while Thurman matches career-high with seven innings

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (July 29, 2014) - Brett Phillips and Chase McDonald each homered while Andrew Thurman overcame a rough first inning to match a career-high with seven frames as the Quad Cities River Bandits won their fourth in a row and ninth of 10 by bopping the Clinton LumberKings 7-5 in front of 3,270 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Each of the first four LumberKings (13-24 second half, 43-62 overall) to come to the plate in the first all singled off Thurman (5-6), with Justin Seager's base hit bringing in two runs to give Clinton an early 2-0 advantage. After Thurman induced a 4-6-3 double play, Christian Carmichael doubled in Chantz Mack to make it 3-0. Thurman would give up four runs on seven hits in his seven frames, walking two and striking out seven.

The Bandits (21-16, 56-50), though, responded immediately when Phillips rocketed the second pitch from Clinton starter Edwin Diaz (3-7) way over the right-center field wall for his 11th home run of the season and seventh during the month of July. It marked the fourth straight game with a roundtripper for the right fielder, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Quad Cities would take the 4-3 lead in the bottom of the second when Chase McDonald, who was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, laced a two-run single off Diaz to bring home Brett Booth and Thomas Lindauer. After Diaz got A.J. Reed to foul out to the catcher Carmichael, Clinton went to the bullpen to bring in Aaron Brooks. Diaz lasted a season-low 1.2 innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on three hits with two walks and a strikeout to take the loss, Clinton's sixth in a row.

McDonald was not be finished. With one out and the score 6-3 River Bandits in the fourth, he crushed a fastball from Brooks over the center field wall for his 11th homer of the year and sixth of July, giving the River Bandits two players with at least six home runs in a month since Rainel Rosario and Matt Adams completed the feat in August of 2010. Quad Cities has bopped 27 home runs in the month of July; the team's most since hitting 30 in May of 2012.

Frederick Tiburcio pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save of the season. The victory gave manager Omar Lopez his 137th victory with the Quad Cities, the 10th-most in team history, and pushed the Bandits six games above .500 for the first time this season.

Quad Cities is scheduled to send Chris Lee (6-5, 3.74 ERA) to the mound tomorrow night against Clinton's Seon-Gi Kim (0-2, 2.16).

UP NEXT: Gates open for Wednesday's 7 p.m. game at 5:30 p.m. for the annual Used Car Giveaway presented by Reynolds Ford! The first 1,000 fans will also receive a Team Photo Giveaway on Star Wars Night. It's also a Pay Your Bill Wednesday, which means fans can enter their unpaid bills in a drawing for the chance to have them paid up to $100 by the River Bandits!.Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

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