Awards & Honors
AWARDS & HONORS
Since the Main Street Iowa ownership group took over operation of the Quad Cities River Bandits following the 2007 season, the franchise has inspired a resurgence in baseball in the Quad Cities. In addition to significant increases in attendance, the River Bandits have also drawn both local and national attention for promotional creativity and business success. Below are some of the accolades that have been bestowed on the organization since the 2008 season.
2016 AWARDS
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Ballpark Digest 2016 Organization of the Year Main Street Baseball, operators of the River Bandits, were awarded the most prestigious award offered by Ballpark Digest in 2016, the second annual organization of the year. Main Street Baseball earned the honor for their unparalleled success across four MiLB teams. Read the announcement by Ballpark Digest here. |
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Quad Cities Sports Commission Milt Hand Good Sport Award The River Bandits were honored for their vision and creation of a permanent home for the Quad Cities Sports Hall of Fame, which is located on the suite level inside Modern Woodmen Park. Visit the sports commission website. |
2015 AWARDS
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Minoring in Business "Bizzie" Awards Best Ballpark Amusement Ride Chosen by MiLB.com writer Ben Hill, the "Bizzies" highlight teams who, in their own unique ways, have gone above and beyond in their quest to make the Minor League Baseball experience as memorable as possible. The River Bandits' Ferris wheel was among the award winners. |
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Ballpark Digest 2015 Charity Award The River Bandits were the first-ever winner of Ballpark Digest's award for charitable efforts, as part of the publication's annual awards. Read the announcement by Ballpark Digest here. |
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Locals Love Us The River Bandits were voted among the best in the Quad Cities in two categories by local voters. Read more from the Locals Love Us web page. |
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SmartAsset No. 3 Best Minor League Baseball Town SmartAsset's study of all 159 U.S. minor league towns ranked Davenport third overall, and first among all Single-A and Double-A cities. Read the story here, along with the top 25 rankings. |
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Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards "Best Family Entertainment" & "Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party" Quad Cities residents voted the River Bandits as winners in two of the categories of the annual Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards. Read more here about the 2015 local award winners. |
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MiLB.com "Jersey Joust" top jerseys The 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. 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. See the jersey voting results here. |
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Sports Business Journal No. 1 Minor League Market With the River Bandits leading the region's top-notch minor league sports resume, the Quad Cities was ranked in August 2015 as the No. 1 minor league sports market in the country, according to the Sports Business Journal in its latest biennial ranking of more than 229 communities coast to coast that are home to 386 teams and 48 leagues in the sports industry. The Sports Business Journal compiled rankings based on minor league team tenure, attendance growth and stability, and facility upgrades. Read more here. |
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Chicago Business Journal "America's hottest spot for minor league baseball" Concurrent with the Quad Cities' recognition as the No. 1 minor league market, the Chicago Business Journal recognized the Quad Cities. Read the story from the Chicago Business Journal. |
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Ballpark Digest Class-A Best of the Ballparks Modern Woodmen Park was voted the "Best of the Ballparks" in Class-A baseball by fans and readers of Ballpark Digest, which held a bracketed online voting competition of all 30 Class-A venues across the country. Read the announcement here. |
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MiLB.com "Best Seat in the House" - No. 2 in MiLB Fans across the country voted the R.I.A. Federal Credit Union Hon. Lane Evans Patriot Seats as 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, which include more than one hundred Minor League teams. See the top views here. |
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Dispatch-Argus 2015 Argpatch Award winner: Most Scenic Place In the annual Argpatch Awards, the view from atop the Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park was selected as the most scenic place in the Quad Cities region ("The view just can't be beat!") Read more about the 2015 Argpatch Awards. |
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Livability 10 Best Minor League Ballparks for 2015 To open the 2015 baseball season, Livability named the 10 Best Minor League Ballparks. Read about the 10 selections here. |
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Sporting News Best Minor League Team Names - Elite Eight In an online vote deciding the best minor league team names, the Quad Cities River Bandits made the Elite Eight round of the competition. Read about the Sporting News contest here. |
2014 AWARDS
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Locals Love Us The River Bandits were voted among the best in the Quad Cities in five categories by local voters. Read more from the Locals Love Us web page. |
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The Cleat Report The Coolest Stadium in Baseball Citing Modern Woodmen Park's unique setting near the Mississippi River, and occasional identity as a baseball island amid floodwaters, The Cleat Report declared Modern Woodmen Park the coolest stadium in baseball. |
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Ballpark Digest Best Ballpark Improvement As part of a full lineup of amusements, the first Ferris wheel inside a minor league ballpark was recognized as the top ballpark improvement in baseball in 2014. Read the story by Ballpark Digest. |
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Bethany for Children & Families Family Awards Community Service Group of the Year This award honors a philanthropic group that gives to the community by helping non-profit organizations through volunteering and donations. The River Bandits and other 2014 award winners are listed here. |
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Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards "Best Family Entertainment" & "Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party" Quad Cities residents voted the River Bandits as winners in two of the categories of the annual Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards. Read more here about the 2014 local award winners. |
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Clash of the Caps on MiLB.com Best Cap in Class-A Baseball In the first-ever Clash of the Caps at MiLB.com for fans to decide the top caps across Minor League Baseball, the River Bandits' cap, was voted by fans across the country as the best cap among all 100 Class-A and short-season league teams - a total of nine leagues in Minor League Baseball. Results of the contest are here. |
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Illowa Council of the Boy Scouts of America North Star Award The Illowa Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored the River Bandits with the new, nationally recognized North Star Award, honoring non-Scouters who have made significant contributions toward Scouting. The River Bandits provided an overnight experience - including a discounted game ticket, meal, patch and the chance to spend the night on the baseball field. The award announcement was in the Quad-City Times. |
2013 AWARDS
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Locals Love Us Voted Best in Area Events The River Bandits were chosen No. 1 by local voters in area events in the Quad Cities. The River Bandits were also among the best in the area for Children & Family Fun, Couples Entertainment and Tourist Attractions. Read more from the Locals Love Us web page. |
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Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar Golden Bobblehead: Best Charity Promotion or Event Just one season after the River Bandits became the first U.S. professional sports team to hold a photo jersey auction for charity, the team's second annual event was recognized with the annual Golden Bobblehead Award for the Best Charity Promotion or Event in Minor League Baseball. Read the news of the award. |
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Ballpark Digest Co-winner, Best Ballpark Renovation under $1 million Modern Woodmen Park's upgrades of the Sky Deck, suite level renovations and sports lounge additions were part of the ballpark winning an award for one of the best ballpark renovations under $1 million. Read more about the award from Ballpark Digest. |
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Ballpark Digest Honorable Mention - Promotions of the Year The River Bandits' annual Mega Candy Drop and Used Car Giveaway received honorable mentions among the Promotions of the Year across baseball. Read about the top promotions selected by Ballpark Digest. |
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10Best Readers' Choice/USA TODAY Travel Best Minor League Ballpark Modern Woodmen Park was announced in July by USA TODAY as one of 20 nominees for "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards. In a four-week nationwide vote by readers of 10Best.com and USA TODAY, Modern Woodmen Park was named the Best Minor League Ballpark. |
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Trekaroo #1 Kid-friendly baseball stadium in Iowa Trekaroo named Modern Woodmen Park the #1 "Kid-friendly baseball stadium in Iowa" in a 2013 list of minor league baseball stadiums in Iowa. Click here to see the blurb and the full list of other parks. |
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Benjamin Hill, MLB.com Top 10 Minor League stadiums Benjamin Hill, who covers Minor League Baseball for MLB.com, placed Modern Woodmen Park on the list of his favorite Minor League ballparks. Click here to read Ben's Top 10 ballparks in Minor League Baseball, and click here to see his Top 10 in photos. |
2012 AWARDS
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Ballpark Digest Honorable Mention - Promotion of the Year The River Bandits' annual Mega Candy Drop received noteworthy mention among the best Promotions of the Year. Read the announcement by Ballpark Digest of the year's top promotions. |
2011 AWARDS
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Delaware County Daily Times Top 10 Classic Minor League Ballparks In its ranking of classic minor league ballparks, the Delaware County Daily Times compiled a list of "Hallowed Grounds" with "atmosphere [and a] friendly environment" that "should be on every baseball fan's list to visit, to see a game...enjoy the moment, the memories, and the stories." |
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Bleacher Report Top 25 Coolest Minor League Stadiums Featured columnist Doug Mead ranked Modern Woodmen Park among the 25 Coolest Minor League Stadiums. Click here to see the blurb and the full list of other parks. |
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Complex Magazine #2 Coolest Minor League Ballpark in America New York based Complex Magazine named Modern Woodmen Park as the #2 "Coolest Minor League Ballpark in America" in a 2011 top 20 list of Minor League parks. Click here to see the review of Modern Woodmen Park and the rest of the Top 25. |
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Young Professionals of the Quad Cities YP Community Impact Awards: "Hot Spot Award" The River Bandits and Modern Woodmen Park were recognized as an area amenity that embraces the next-gen "after hours" lifestyle. |
2010 AWARDS
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Quad-City Times Reader's Choice Award: "Best Family Entertainment" The River Bandits were honored by the residents of the Quad Cities by getting awarded the Quad-City Times Readers Choice Award for Best Family Entertainment for the second consecutive year. |
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Community Caring Conference Community Business Award The Community Caring Conference recognized the River Bandits at their Quad City Hero Awards Banquet. The Bandits were honored with the Community Business Award accepted by team General Manager Kirk Goodman. To see the other winners and for more inforation about the banquet Click here. |
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USA Today 10 Great Places for a Baseball Pilgrimage The River Bandits and Modern Woodmen Park specifically were recognized by USA Today as being one of the top destinations among all Minor League venues to take the family during a summer tour around minor league parks. To read the full article from USA Today Click here. BaseballPilgrimages.com also gave full descriptions of the top 10. |
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Ballpark Digest Five-Star Ballpark Rating Modern Woodmen Park received a top rating from Ballpark Digest when the website published a list of ballpark ratings in Aug. 2010. Click here to see the full list of ballparks and ratings. |
2009 AWARDS
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Quad-City Times Reader's Choice Award: "Best Family Entertainment" What more could the River Bandits ask for then receiving this award from the people of the Quad Cities! Click here to read more about the honor or here to see a full list of winners. The Bandits are listed at the end of the "Places & Things" section. |
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ESPN: The Magazine Veeckie Award: "Best Pain for Gain" The prestigious Veeckie Awards, named after noted owner and showman Bill Veeck, are handed out by ESPN annually to honor the best promotions in Minor League Baseball. The River Bandits received honors for the second annual Tattoo Night after 47 fans got a River Bandits' logo permanently inked on their bodies! Click here to read more about the award, which was featured on page 30 of the September 21 issue. |
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Ballpark Digest Best Ballpark Improvement The Loge Boxes were a very popular mid-season improvement to Modern Woodmen Park during the 2009 season. They offer a unique vantage point along the third base line and all the amenities that large groups receive. |
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Ballpark Digest Best One-Night Promotion The Mega-Candy Drop was one of the most innovative and successful promotions the baseball world saw in 2009, nearly doubling a typical Sunday crowd by making it rain candy and marshmallows after the contest! Read what Ballpark Digest had to say about it or click here to see a slide show from the one-of-a-kind spectacle! |
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Ballpark Digest Best Marketing Campaign After receiving an award for Best Radio Campaign in 2008, the River Bandits were honored this season for a fully integrated marketing campaign that helped spur another successful season at the gates! Read what Ballpark Digest had to say about it! |
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The Midwest League Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award Our very own Assistant General Manager, Stefanie Brown, took home this award for the second year in a row! Click here to read more about Brown's impressive accomplishments. |
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Association of the United States Army Gold Award The Gold Award "recognizes an exceptional AUSA supporter whose dedicated volunteer and donor service significantly contributes to improving the well-being of Army families and the local community." Click here to learn more about the AUSA. |
2009 HONORABLE MENTION
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Minor League Baseball Best Promotion - Finalist The River Bandits' Mega-Candy Drop promotion was one of 10 finalists on MinorLeagueBaseball.com for the best promotion in all of Minor League Baseball during the 2009 season, ultimately finishing in fourth place after a fan vote. Click here to read more about it, or click here to see a slide show of the amazing event. |
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Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar Best In-Game Promotion - Finalist The River Bandits' Van Down by the River promotion was one of five finalists that was selected from over 200 promotions. Click here to read more about it. |
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BaseballParks.com The Best of Class A When a website devoted to baseball parks lists you as one of the best, you know you're doing something right. In a listing of must-see parks across Single-A baseball, Modern Woodmen Park receives one of the best reviews handed out! Click here to check out the story. |
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River Cities Reader Reader's Choice Award: "Best Place for an Inexpensive Date That Doesn't Look Like It - 2nd Place We know, it sounds kind of goofy. But at the end of the day, what would the River Bandits rather be known for than an affordable product with a premium value? Click here for a full list of winners. |
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Ballpark Digest Executive of the Year For the second consecutive season, Vice President and General Kirk Goodman was a finalist for this prestigious award from Ballpark Digest. Over those same two seasons, the River Bandits won six Ballpark Digest Awards and were finalists for six others. Not a bad track record! |
2008 AWARDS
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ESPN: The Magazine Veeckie Award: "Best Rebranding Opportunity" The prestigious Veeckie Awards, named after noted owner and showman Bill Veeck, are handed out by ESPN annually to honor the best promotions in Minor League Baseball. After ditching the "Swing of the Quad Cities" moniker for the "River Bandits" name, the team received honors for the Lose Your Blues promotion in which fans exchanged their old orange-and-blue gear for a free "Back in Black" t-shirt. Click here to check it out! |
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Ballpark Digest Best New Logo The River Bandits haul at the 2008 Ballpark Digest Awards included this honor for the Best New Logo. Not only did the team bring back the River Bandits name, but along with it came a fresh new set of marks based on the now-popular black and gray raccoon. Click here to read the publication's announcement or click here to read the River Bandits' coverage. |
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Ballpark Digest Best Ballpark Improvements The new name and logos were one thing, but the River Bandits also received recognition for improving upon the already scenic Modern Woodmen Park. In 2008, the most eye-catching improvements were the Tiki Village, Hot Tub Deck and Corn Field. Read Ballpark Digest's story by clicking here, or follow this link to read the River Bandits' coverage. |
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Ballpark Digest Best Radio Campaign All season long, the River Bandits reached out to fans through a series of popular radio commercials. Not only did Ballpark Digest take note... they loved them! Click here to listen to some of the spots and find out why, or click here to read the River Bandits' coverage. |
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The Midwest League Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award In her first year with the team, Stefanie Brown was a co-recipient of this award for her work as Director of Community and Client Relations! Click here to read more. |
2008 HONORABLE MENTION
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Minor League Baseball Best Promotion - 3rd Place The River Bandits inaugural Tattoo Night promotion was one of 10 finalists on MinorLeagueBaseball.com for the best promotion during the 2008 season, ultimately finishing third in all of Minor League Baseball after a fan vote. A total of 28 people got permanently inked with the River Bandits logo during the in-game event! |
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Ballpark Digest Organization of the Year - Finalist Best New Uniform - Finalist Best New Hat Design - Finalist Best TV Campaign- Finalist Executive of the Year - Finalist The River Bandits cleaned up at the 2008 Ballpark Digest Awards, winning three awards outright while checking in as finalists in these five categories! Click here to read the River Bandits' coverage of the recognition in all eight categories. |
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