Bandits open Mediacom "Drop'N Twist" Ride

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 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. 

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.