DAVENPORT, Iowa (NOV. 18, 2013) - While the Quad Cities River Bandits franchise and Modern Woodmen Park expand their array of entertainment, the team is growing its logo mark lineup, as General Manager Andrew Chesser revealed new logos at a press conference in the sports lounge of Modern Woodmen Park Monday afternoon.
The updated primary logo, largely similar to the team's leading mark of the past six years, now has two arches of the iconic Centennial Bridge that is a signature of the ballpark's backdrop and synonomous with the Quad Cities. The team and Main Street Amusements also unveiled a new logo for the amusements that began arriving at Modern Woodmen Park last season and will continue into next season. The team's raccoon mascot, Rascal the River Bandit, is carrying a baseball while riding in a gondola of the Ferris wheel set to open next spring.
"The new logos tell more of the story of the Quad Cities and the River Bandits, while building upon the marks that make the River Bandits brand so popular," said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "We are incorporating the natural setting by the Mississippi and newest developments with amusements to highlight what makes Modern Woodmen Park unique and the country's Best Minor League Ballpark."
One of the new alternate logos has a baseball with bandana - a continuing theme from the original River Bandits logo of 1992-2003 - splashing into the water of the Mississippi River. It is the first River Bandits logo to signify the river itself. Another alternate logo has the clawed hand of the team's raccoon mascot catching a baseball. In the third alternate logo that will go on batting practice caps, the raccoon is swinging a bat.
"These logos are a fresh look at the River Bandits, incorporating both our community and history as an organization, as well as the growth still ahead," Chesser said. "We are excited to see these new logos around the ballpark and the community as we approach next season."
One Step Printing in Davenport provided displays of the new team logo at Monday's press conference. Team merchandise items with the new logos were also on display.
Merchandise items with the new logos are now available in the River Bandits team store - open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday at Modern Woodmen Park - as well as the online team store at www.riverbandits.com.
The River Bandits, the Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will open the 2014 Midwest League season at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday, April 3. A full schedule of home and road games for 2014 is available at www.riverbandits.com, and ticket plans for the 2014 season are now on sale.
UP NEXT: Lock in your season ticket plan - with new lower prices - for the 2014 season! A deposit of $25 per seat by December 31 enters you in a drawing for a free suite rental at an April 2014 home game. Call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. 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: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just 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.
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