Two Bobblehead Giveaways, Friday Fireworks Show, Senator Harkin Celebration & Appreciation

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (August 14, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits, Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, battle the Burlington Bees, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, in a three-game series from Friday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 17.Tickets are still available at riverbandits.com or by calling the box office at (563) 324-3000. Below are the highlights of promotions and events for the homestand.

Rascal's Deal of the Day

The merchandise special for the homestand is a Back to School Sale - All youth apparel, hats and lanyards are 10% off.

Friday, August 15, 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.) Sponsors: Tyson Fresh Meats, Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WQAD, & WLLR

- Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats- A different culture will be highlighted each inning with beer tasting on the concourse.

- City of Davenport Night - The City of Davenport will hold a Kids Ceremony on the field from 6 p.m.-6:20 p.m.

- Organization of the Night: Davenport East Softball Little League - Proceeds from the postgame Zeglin's Charity Ball Toss will benefit Davenport East Softball Little League (http://www.davenporteastsoftball.com).

- Friday Fireworks Show presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WQAD & WLLR - All fans will be treated to a free postgame fireworks show.

Saturday, August 16, 6:00 p.m. (Gates open at 4:30 p.m.) Sponsors: John Deere, DHCU, FOX18 & 101.3 KISS-FM

- Modern Woodmen Park Amusements Open -  The Ferris Wheel and other ballpark amusements will be open during the farmer's market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead Giveaway presented by DHCU & FOX18 - The first 1,500 fans will receive a bobblehead of former River Bandit Trevor Rosenthal, who has registered a 2.82 ERA and 38 saves in a three-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

- John Deere Night -  John Deere Employees will receive 10% off River Bandits merchandise with a valid John Deere ID/Business Card.

- Weenie Whistles Giveaway - The Kraft Food Wienermobile will giveaway weenie whistles outside of Modern Woodmen Park before the game.

- Organization of the Night: Bandits Scholars - Proceeds from the postgame Zeglin's Charity Ball Toss will benefit the Bandits Scholars Program (http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t565&ymd=20090622&content_id=5466198&vkey=team3).

- Fan Appreciation Saturday presented by 103.1 KISS-FM - There will be tables for a balloon artist and face painter on the concourse.

- MC22 Telecast - Mediacom Connections (MC22) will record a television game broadcast to be re-aired on MC22.

Sunday, August 17, 1:15 p.m. (Gates open at noon) Sponsors: AFSCME, Olympic Steel, KWQC & B100

- Senator Tom Harkin Bobblehead Giveaway presented by AFSCME - The first 1,000 fans will receive a bobblehead of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, who has announced he will retire following his fifth term as Senator from Iowa and 40th year serving in Congress for Iowa. Senator Harkin and Mayor Gluba will each throw out a first pitch.

- Pirates & Princesses Day - All fans who dress as a pirate or princess will receive $2 off the regular ticket price. Dogs dressed in costume will receive a free berm ticket.

- Kids Club Event - Following the game, River Bandits Kids Club members can have a catch in the outfield!

- Make-A-Wish Day presented by Olympic Steel - There will be a charity beer & wine tasting in the suite level. Sign-up will be available inside the ballpark, with all proceeds going to Make-A-Wish.

- Organization of the Night: Make-A-Wish - Proceeds from the postgame Zeglin's Charity Ball Toss will benefit the Make-A-Wish (http://wish.org).

- Family Sunday presented by KWQC & B100 - The River Bandits will be on the field 12:30-12:45 p.m. for autographs. Fans can also bring their dogs for Bark in the Park. Following the game, Kids Run the Bases.

UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets 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, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has 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.

Quad Cities has one hit among its final 20 batters to lose second straight game at Kane County

GENEVA, Ill. (August 14, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits took a 3-2 lead Wednesday night on a third-inning single by third baseman J.D. Davis, but they had just one baserunner for the rest of the game, and the Kane County Cougars scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 6-3 lead that remained until the end of a second straight win at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Kane County (31-20 second half, 76-45 overall) won its sixth straight game against Quad Cities (25-26, 60-60) after the Western Division rivals split their first 10 games. In a rematch of the Opening Day pitching matchup at Modern Woodmen Park April 3, Cougars right-hander Paul Blackburn and River Bandits right-hander Andrew Thurman (5-8) combined to allow all the game's runs. After the third inning, pitchers for both teams combined to allow four singles without a walk or runner in scoring position with 12 strikeouts.

Blackburn allowed a leadoff single to center fielder James Ramsay, who matched a season high with a hit in his seventh straight game and was the only River Bandit with two hits Wednesday. Ramsay stole second base, but Blackburn retired three straight to end the inning.

In the bottom of the first inning, Cougars second baseman Daniel Lockhart hit a one-out triple to right-center field, and catcher Ben Carhart hit Thurman's next pitch down the right-field line for an opposite-field, two-run home run - his fifth of the season - and a 2-0 Cougars lead.

Quad Cities scored its three runs and had all but two of its hits in the third inning. Catcher Brett Booth hit Blackburn's first pitch of the inning over the left-center field fence for his fifth home run. Ramsay hit a one-out single and stole second base for the second time and his 26th steal of the season - the most by a Quad Cities player since Dan Nelson's 27 in 2006. First baseaman Chase McDonald drew a two-out walk, and designated hitter A.J. Reed hit a game-tying single to right field that sent McDonald to third base. Davis' single extended his own six-game hitting streak, sent Reed to third base and scored McDonald for a 3-2 Quad Cities lead. Blackburn got left fielder Ryan Bottger on a groundout and retired four straight batters to finish four innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts. It was Blackburn's shortest outing since June 4.

With his team's only lead of the game, Thurman began the bottom of the third inning by walking center fielder Trey Martin, striking out left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr., walking Carhart and striking out Carhart. With two outs, designated hitter Victor Caratini lined a game-tying single to right field. Thurman went to a 3-2 count before walking first baseman Jacob Rogers, and also went to 3-2 against third baseman Jeimer Candelario before a walk that forced home the go-ahead run. Right-hander Keegan Yuhl entered to allow a two-run bloop single to right field by right fielder Jeffrey Baez to make it 6-3. Thurman was charged with six earned runs on three hits and four walks - matching a season high - with four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings - his shortest outing since May 1.

After allowing Baez's hit, Yuhl retired the next nine batters and 10 of 11 to finish a career-high 3 1/3 innings, allowing two singles with three strikeouts. Left-hander Chris Cotton allowed one single with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Cougars left-hander Michael Heesch (3-1) worked three perfect innings, and right-hander Francisco Carrillo went two scoreless innings for his second save.

Quad Cities concludes its series against Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. River Bandits right-hander Troy Scribner (0-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Duane Underwood (5-4).

UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets 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, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has 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.

Talented Sprouts Surprise Crowd in Iowa State Fair Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- Six talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 55th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 14, Friday, August 15, or Saturday, August 16.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

Eli Smith, 11, Cedar Falls, Piano

Morgan Schroeder, 10, Burlington, Katie Stephens, 10 Burlington, Jazz/Acro Dance

Allison Koch, 12, Grimes, Vocal

Addie Sopha, 13, Cresco, Josie Sopha, 11, Cresco, Ella Sopha, 9, Cresco, Gwen Sopha, 8, Cresco, Vocal

Taylor Knaack, 12, Correctionville, Emma DeStigter, 11, Moville, Tap Dance

Zach Hein, 12, Walcott, Fiddle

Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the competition. Two Sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The six winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, August 17, at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $18,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. This year's contest is sponsored by Hy-Vee.

Outhouse Team Earns Number-One Spot in Iowa State Fair Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/12/2014)(readMedia)-- The Afton Care Center Dribblers/Iowa Select Farms won the 11th annual Outhouse Races Tuesday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Team Jason Winther, Jordan Winther, Jamie Peterson, and Misty Gettler were awarded $300 in cash for besting their competition in style and speed.

DMACC team members Keith Wersinger, Matt Walsh, Jay Tiefentahler, Dale Chell and Melody Riley took second place and earned $200. The team has competed every year of the competition.

Third place and $100 in cash went to The Real Deal team members Hannah, Abbi, Brittany and Amanda also won Best Outhouse. Best costume went to Urgent Business team members Steve Larson, Joyce Moreland, Corey Oelberg and Laurie McClannahan.

Teams, composed of three pushers and one driver, construct their own outhouses. During the race, teams push the outhouses to a toilet where the drivers must clean off the toilet seat without using their hands. Then the drivers search for a corn cob buried in a cattle trough, change a roll of toilet paper and return to the outhouses where the teams push them back to the starting point.

Monster Men and Women Compete in Iowa State Fair Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/13/2014)(readMedia)-- Strong-armed men and women competed in five different weight classes in the Monster Arm Wrestling Tournament held Sunday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

First, second and third-place trophies were awarded in each class.

Complete results below:

MEN'S RIGHT

Flyweight

1) Kiefer Willis, Greenview, Ill.

2) Dustin Ohmstede, Newton

3) Jermaine Day, Des Moines

Lightweight

1) Jake Reed, Bussey

2) Todd Bolar, Marshalltown

3) Lavern Yoder, Zearing

Middleweight

1) JD Brittain, West Des Moines

2) Bobby Chance, Cambridge

3) Jake Willis, Des Moines

Heavyweight

1) Brian Willett, Muscatine

2) Branden Smith, Coon Rapids

3) Patrick Brown, Melcher-Dallas

Super Heavyweight

1) Brian Willett, Muscatine

2) Steven Aikin, Rhodes

3) Patrick Brown, Melcher-Dallas

MEN'S LEFT

Flyweight

1) Trent Todd, Washta

2) Dustin Olmstede, Newton

3) Mitch Todd, Papillion, Neb.

Lightweight

1) Jake Reed, Bussey

2) Mory Lassa, Fort Dodge

Middleweight

1) JD Brittain, West Des Moines

2) Bobby Chance, Cambridge

Heavyweight

1) Rob VanDerMolen, Des Moines

2) JD Brittain, West Des Moines

3) Jake Reed, Bussey

WOMEN'S RIGHT

Flyweight

1) Kelsey Reed, Mingo

2) Kara Rempe, Sioux City

Lightweight

1) Shawna Hartley, Nevada

2) Tiffany Davison, Middletown, Ill.

Middleweight

1) Heather Edwards, Washington

2) Kaylan Simmons, Casey

3) Riley Anderson, Kamrar

The contest was part of "Rural Americana Olde Tyme Competitions" in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall. A first prize of $5 and ribbons were awarded to each class.

"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, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

* * *

GENEVA, Ill. (August 12, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits held a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning, but two errors, a home run, an infield popup, wild pitch, two walks and ultimately a walk-off single to left-center field by Kane County Cougars shortstop Daniel Lockhart led to the home team's four-run ninth inning and 4-3 win at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Tuesday night.

After River Bandits right-handers Kevin Comer and Adrian Houser each pitched four shutout innings, right-hander Frederick Tiburcio started the ninth inning with a 3-0 lead. Cougars catcher Victor Caratini led off by grounding a ball to first baseman Chase McDonald, who threw to Tiburcio covering first base, but the pitcher dropped the ball for an error. Tiburcio fell to a 3-1 count against first baseman Jacob Rogers, who drove a two-run home run to right field - his Kane County-leading 14th home run - to cut Quad Cities' lead to 3-2.

With no outs, the bases empty and a one-run lead, Tiburcio got designated hitter Cael Brockmeyer to hit a popup near second base, but the ball dropped behind second baseman Marc Wik for a base hit that put the tying run at first base. After Carlos Penalver pinch ran for Brockmeyer, third baseman Jeimer Candelario lofted a fly ball to right-center field, where center fielder James Ramsay and right fielder Ryan Bottger converged, and Bottger was charged with the inning's second error when the ball dropped, placing runners at first and second bases. Second baseman Chesny Young then sacrificed the tying and winning runs into scoring position with a bunt that rolled up the first-base line to Wik with his foot on first base to record the inning's first out.

Tiburcio threw a wild pitch on his first pitch to right fielder Jeffrey Baez that got past catcher Brian Holberton to the backstop, allowing Penalver to score the tying run and Candelario to reach third base. In a 3-3 tie, Tiburcio intentionally walked Baez and center fielder Trey Martin to load the bases. With the infield in, Tiburcio struck out left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. In a 1-1 count, Lockhart hit a fly ball toward left-center field that dropped between Ramsay and left fielder Bobby Boyd, scoring Candelario for a 4-3 Cougars win. It was Quad Cities' fifth walk-off loss of the season and first since June 2 at Wisconsin.

Cougars right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng retired the first eight River Bandits and did not allow a hit through 4 1/3 innings. Bottger's fifth-inning single was his team's first hit, but he was thrown out at second base trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt. In the sixth inning, shortstop Thomas Lindauer hit a leadoff single to left field, advanced to second base on Boyd's sacrifice, to third base on a wild pitch and scored the game's first run on Wik's sacrifice fly. Ramsay hit a two-out double down the first-base line and Tseng loaded the bases with walks to McDonald and designated hitter A.J. Reed. Right-hander Michael Wagner walked third baseman J.D. Davis to bring in the second run. Tseng allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Wagner also allowed a run in the eighth inning, when he issued a two-out walk to McDonald, and Reed and Davis each singled for a 3-0 lead.

Comer scattered a hit in each of the first four innings, twice stranding a runner at third base and matching Tseng for the first four innings. Houser began the fifth inning in a scoreless game and allowed lone hits in the fifth and seventh innings to toss four shutout innings. He retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced. Kane County did not have a hit with a runner in scoring position until Lockhart's walk-off single.

Quad Cities (25-25 second half, 60-59 overall) continues its series against Kane County (30-20, 75-45) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. River Bandits right-hander Andrew Thurman (5-7) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Paul Blackburn (9-4).

UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.