Bandits' special jerseys among the best in MiLB

The Quad Cities River Bandits were one of only two teams across Minor League Baseball to have two specialty jerseys voted among the top 13 among 124 specialty jerseys in MiLB.com's Jersey Joust, whose results were announced on Wednesday. The River Bandits' 2014 Autism Awareness jersey received the third-most votes overall and was the top-voted jersey from any of the 30 Class-A clubs, while the River Bandits' 2015 Boy Scouts Jersey finished 13th in the voting.

On each night the River Bandits wore the specialty jerseys, proceeds from an auction at Modern Woodmen Park went to benefit Quad Cities-area charities. Proceeds from the Autism Awareness photo jersey auction supported the Quad Cities Autism Center, and proceeds from the Boy Scouts jerseys went to benefit the Boy Scouts of America ILLOWA Council.

"The Autism Awareness Jersey and Boy Scouts Jersey have already made a difference to people in the Quad Cities, thanks to our partnerships with the Quad Cities Autism Center and the Boy Scouts of America," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "We are grateful to our fans who have made our charitable jersey auctions such a huge success, and to the fans across the country who have recognized their value both as unique entertainment and a great way to help people here in the Quad Cities."

The River Bandits wore Autism Awareness photo jerseys Aug. 8, 2014, for the team's third annual photo jersey auction and fifth annual Autism Awareness Night at Modern Woodmen Park. The River Bandits' 2013 edition of the Autism Awareness photo jerseys and auction received a Golden Bobblehead Award for the Best Charity Promotion or Event in Minor League Baseball. This season, the River Bandits wore special caps for an in-game auction benefiting the Quad Cities Autism Center on Autism Awareness Night Aug. 7. On June 19 this season, the River Bandits wore their first-ever Boy Scouts-themed jerseys for Boy Scouts Night, with an auction of the jerseys benefiting the Boys Scouts of America ILLOWA Council.

"It is exciting to know that fans across the country see our specialty jerseys as memorable promotions and charitable activities, and it is even more rewarding to know how each night has raised awareness and benefited the Quad Cities community," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. "We look forward to bringing more creative ideas to life at Modern Woodmen Park, and continuing to give our fans unique opportunities to support their neighbors in the Quad Cities."

Coming the week after the Sports Business Journal named the Quad Cities area the Best Minor League Market, Tuesday's announcement adds to several recent awards for the River Bandits and Modern Woodmen Park. This year, the team's name was voted one of the top eight in Minor League Baseball in a Sporting News contest. In May, the team's logo was voted among the top eight - and best in the Midwest League - in Baseball America's Logo Mania, and Modern Woodmen Park's R.I.A. Federal Credit Union Hon. Lane Evans Patriot Seats were voted the No. 2 Best Seats at any minor league ballpark in the country - and the top view of any ballpark at the Class-A and short season level - by fans on MiLB.com. In June, fans voted Modern Woodmen Park the "Best of the Ballparks" in a Ballpark Digest contest featuring all 30 Class-A ballparks. Recently, the team's was cap voted among the top three in Minor League Baseball - and best of any Class-A club. The club has been nominated for another Golden Bobblehead award this season.
 
UP NEXT: The River Bandits conclude a six-game homestand Friday and Saturday with fireworks Friday and two bobblehead giveaways - a bobble tractor on Friday and a George Springer bobblehead Saturday. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: With the installation of the Ferris Wheel, the River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931, and this year the club is matching that effort by opening three new areas. A two-tiered special group deck immediately behind and overlooking the corn field opened in June. A new 11,000-square-foot concourse expansion down the third-base line will open late August. Finally, the club has expanded the children's play area by an additional 5,500 square feet down the right-field line, with additional bounce houses and the newest ride - Spin Zone Bumper Cars - as the latest attraction.