DAVENPORT, Iowa (OCT. 24, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits are promoting a key front office member to lead the Midwest League club, as the team announced that two-year Assistant General Manager Andrew Chesser is the Midwest League club's new General Manager at a press conference with River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller Thursday afternoon at Modern Woodmen Park.

The River Bandits have continuity with Chesser, who has 10 years of experience in Minor League Baseball and has been the River Bandits' assistant general manager the past two seasons. Among the highlights the past two seasons were the club's highest single-season attendance since 1995, the franchise's sixth Midwest League Championship, a Golden Bobblehead Award for the Best Charity Promotion or Event in Minor League Baseball, and the selection of the team's home, Modern Woodmen Park as the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in a nationwide vote by readers of 10Best.com and USA TODAY.

"Andrew Chesser is the ideal person to continue the unprecedented growth of the River Bandits," Heller said. "He is incredibly smart, diligent, thorough and hard-working, and, most importantly, he is completely committed to providing outstanding customer service to the best fans in the country. With a new Ferris wheel, a carousel, zip line, and some fun new rides coming, the River Bandits have a chance to make this our best season ever. Under Andrew's leadership, I am confident we will get there."

Chesser joined the River Bandits in the winter of 2012 after eight seasons of diverse baseball experience with the Lynchburg (Va.) Hillcats, the advanced Class-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves in the Carolina League. Chesser began as a stadium operations intern with the Hillcats in 2004 and became the full-time stadium operations director the next season. He later became the director of information technology and creative services, and he was the director of group sales and creative services his last five seasons in Lynchburg.

Chesser is a native of New Milford, Conn., and graduate of Lynchburg (Va.) College with a major in history and minors in French and sports management. He and his wife, Susan, live in Davenport.

"I am extremely excited about taking on the role of General Manager of the River Bandits," Chesser said. "This organization has already established that it has the best team in the league, the best ballpark in America, and what I believe is the best community in the country."

The River Bandits, the Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will open the 2014 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. This season, 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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DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 19, 2013) - The 2013 Midwest League Champion Quad Cities River Bandits will open defense of their title on the same field where they won it all, as Modern Woodmen Park will host the 2014 home opener Thursday, April 3, against the Kane County Cougars. The team announced on Thursday its 140-game schedule, including 70 home dates and times, for the 2014 season.

The Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros will play a four-game Opening Weekend series April 3-6 at Modern Woodmen Park, voted the Best Minor League Ballpark in a nationwide vote at 10Best.com and USA TODAY. The very next weekend, the ballpark will host the second annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and Kids Fun Run presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics to benefit the Bandit Scholars Program at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 12. The River Bandits will go on to play a home game on 13 weekends throughout the season.

"After two championships in three years, our fans can look forward to another season of first-rate baseball and affordable, family-friendly entertainment," said team co-owner Dave Heller. "With the Ferris Wheel opening in May and new improvements throughout the ballpark, exciting new promotions, great entertainment and must-see attractions, we are determined to make 2014 the best year ever at the Best Minor League Ballpark in the country!"

The River Bandits will play weekday home games at 7:00 p.m., with the exception of 11:00 a.m. start times on three Tuesdays - April 29, May 6 and May 20. This season, all Saturday home games will start at 6:00 p.m. instead of the usual 7:00 p.m. start so younger fans can enjoy every minute of the action. Sunday home games will start at 1:15 p.m. the first half of the season (April 6, June 8 and June 15), and at the end of the season (Aug. 17 and Aug. 24). Sunday games will start at 5:00 p.m. June 22, July 6, July 20 and Aug. 10.

The River Bandits will play a home game on 13 weekends throughout the season, including the Fourth of July weekend, Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, as well as Memorial Day weekend games Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24. The team is home for Mother's Day weekend games Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, and a three-day Father's Day weekend series Friday, June 13, through Sunday, June 15. The River Bandits play their regular season home finale Friday, Aug. 29, of Labor Day weekend.

The River Bandits have eight different homestands of six games or more, including two season-long seven-game homestands; one comes Aug. 4-10 and the other June 13-22, sandwiched around the three-day break for the Midwest League All-Star Game, set for Tuesday, June 17, in Comstock Park, Mich. A season-long 10-game road stretch takes place June 24-July 3.

Quad Cities will have a rematch of the 2013 Midwest League Championship Series against the South Bend Silver Hawks April 17-19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Other Eastern Division teams making visits to Modern Woodmen Park include the West Michigan Whitecaps (April 14-16), the Fort Wayne TinCaps (July 16-18) and the Lake County Captains (July 19-21). Every Western Division team will play at least six games at Modern Woodmen Park in 2014.

A full schedule of home and road games for 2014 is available at www.riverbandits.com. Ticket plans for the 2014 season are now on sale.

UP NEXT: Now is the time to lock in your season ticket plan for the 2014 season! 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. This season, 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 championships.

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Quad Cities pitches first playoff shutout to take 2-0 lead in Midwest League Championship Series

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (SEPT. 12, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher, right-hander Jamaine Cotton, and left-hander J.D. Osborne combined for the team's first shutout of the postseason in a 5-0 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks at Four Winds Field at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium in Game 2 of the Midwest League Championship Series Thursday night.

Quad Cities took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup and will play any and all remaining games at home at Modern Woodmen Park. The River Bandits' first chance to win their second title in three seasons is Game 3 at 7 p.m. Saturday. Left-hander Josh Hader (2-0 regular season, 1-0 postseason) is scheduled to face Silver Hawks right-hander Aaron Blair (0-2 regular season, 2-0 postseason).

The River Bandits scored their first run with one out in the second inning, when first baseman and former Silver Hawk Bobby Borchering crushed a pitch from right-hander Blake Perry (0-1) off the scoreboard in right-center field for his first postseason home run. In the bottom of the second, Silver Hawks first baseman Rudy Flores and second baseman Fidel Pena hit consecutive singles off Bircher (1-0), and Flores went to third base on a flyout by catcher Roidany Aguila. Right fielder Mike Lang tried a squeeze bunt up the first-base line, but Borchering threw to catcher Roberto Pena, who hung on to the ball for the tag despite being knocked on his back side by Flores.

Perry struggled with command in the fourth inning, as he issued a one-out walk to left fielder Danry Vasquez and in the course of an 11-pitch battle with Borchering, threw three wild pitches - the last coming on ball four to put Borchering at first and bring home Vasquez. Third baseman Rio Ruiz followed with a double to the right-center field gap that scored Borchering and chased Perry. After Ruiz stole third base and Pena walked against right-hander Jesse Darrah, right fielder Jordan Scott pushed a bunt toward first that scored Ruiz.

With a 4-0 lead, Bricher allowed two walks and a hit in the fourth inning to load the bases. Designated hitter Michael Perez then hit a fly ball to shallow right-center field, and Scott made the catch before firing toward home plate, where Pena tagged out Flores for the second time in three innings to complete the inning-ending double play. In the fifth, Bircher allowed consecutive one-out singles before getting a flyout and strikeout to finish five innings, having allowed six hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

In the top of the sixth, Ruiz hit a two-out double, and Pena delivered the game's only hit with a runner in scoring position - an RBI single that scored Ruiz for a 5-0 lead. Right-hander Jamaine Cotton started the bottom of the sixth and retired all nine batters he faced, including six straight strikeouts in the seventh and eighth, to work three perfect innings. Left-hander J.D. Osborne started the bottom of the ninth and hit Lang with a pitch with two outs - ending a string of 13 consecutive batters retired by Quad Cities pitchers. He got Perez to ground out to first base, ending Quad Cities first playoff shutout since Sept. 10, 2011, in Game 1 of the divisional final against Kane County.

Thursday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, Sept. 14. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits' victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Saturday, Sept. 14.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will give away nine DVD players - one for each inning - and nine baseball-themed movies courtesy of American TV & Appliance in Davenport at the first Championship Series home game at 7 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks will follow the game, and 12-ounce beer and soda, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos are $1 each. All regular individual tickets are $5 each at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. 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. This season, the team just 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 Championship Series will likely be the last chance for Quad Cities fans to see 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa and many other future stars in a River Bandits uniform.

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River Bandits continue $1 drink and food specials, $5 for all regular individual seating

DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 11, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits seek to win their second Midwest League Championship in three seasons beginning Wednesday night in South Bend, Ind., and fans will see the best-of-five 2013 Midwest League Championship decided on the field of Modern Woodmen Park this weekend, along with a championship set of promotions.

The River Bandits, along with American TV & Appliance in Davenport, will give away nine DVD players - one for every inning - and nine DVDs featuring a baseball-themed movie during the first Championship Series home game against the South Bend Silver Hawks at 7 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks, presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, will follow Game 3 that night, when the team will again offer 12-ounce beer and soda for just $1 each, as well as $1 hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and all regular individual seats are on sale for $5 each. The same concession and ticket prices will also apply for a possible Game 4 at 5 p.m. Sunday and possible winner-take-all Game 5 at 7 p.m. Monday.

"The River Bandits have kept rolling in the playoffs to the Midwest League Championship Series, so we will continue to roll out a championship promotional lineup - with a baseball movie and DVD player giveaway, the same great playoff concession and ticket specials, capped with another great fireworks show," said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "We continue to celebrate and thank the people of the Quad Cities for their support, and for the second time in three seasons, they will see a league championship decided at the Best Minor League Ballpark in the country!"

Groups may call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 to book a group area or suite for Saturday, Sunday or Monday night of the Championship Series.

Games 1 and 2 of the Midwest League Championship Series will be played Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, at Four Winds Field at Stanley Coveleski Stadium in South Bend. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. Central each night. Every game of the Midwest League Championship Series is broadcasted live presented by Mediacom at www.riverbandits.com.

Quad Cities is making its 11th Midwest League Championship Series appearance since joining the Midwest League in 1960. Quad Cities previously reached the championship round in 1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1990, and 2011. The franchise has won five titles - in 1968, 1971, 1979, 1990 and 2011.

UP NEXT: Tickets for the 2013 Midwest League Championship Series are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Saturday's playoff game will again feature all regular individual seats for $5 each, and 12-ounce beer and soda, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos will each be $1. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. 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. This season, 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 Championship Series will likely be the last chance for Quad Cities fans to see 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa and many other future stars in a River Bandits uniform.