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River Bandits Could be Closer to Returning Home

Quad Cities River Bandits

With a plan to access Modern Woodmen Park taking shape, the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low A; Midwest League) could return this week after initial home games were moved because of flooding. 

Modern Woodmen Park is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Davenport, IA, leaving prone it to the effects of flooding. Although flood walls have prevented the ballpark from being damaged, rising water levels from recent flooding did enough damage to the surrounding area to prevent safe access to Modern Woodmen Park. As a result, the River Bandits shifted their first three home series of this season to alternate venues, with Peoria’s Dozer Park most recently filling the role for a three-game neutral-site set last week against the Kane County Cougars.

Plans for later this week have not been finalized, but it appears that the River Bandits could return to Modern Woodmen Park for Thursday’s scheduled home game against the Clinton LumberKings. Floodwaters have receded to the point where construction crews could install a walkway that allows fans to cross recently elevated railroad tracks and leads to a ramp connected to the ballpark’s plaza, providing access to Modern Woodmen Park. If this is deemed a workable solution, the River Bandits could play their upcoming home series at Modern Woodmen Park. More from the Quad-City Times:

Quad-Cities is scheduled to open a four-day, five-game homestand against Clinton on Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park and a conference call this afternoon between officials from the City of Davenport, the River Bandits and the Midwest League will determine if those games will be played in Davenport.

Representatives of the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins, parent clubs of the two teams scheduled to play in the Quad-Cities this week, have also been invited to participate….

A contingency plan is in place if the games can not be played in Davenport.

“We feel like we’re getting closer to being able to finally open the home season,’’ River Bandits general manager Jacqueline Holm said. “I think we’re all anxious for that to happen.’’

The River Bandits were to have played their first 2019 game at Modern Woodmen Park back on April 4, but that series against the Burlington Bees was shifted to Burlington’s Community Field, with the River Bandits playing as the home team. A similar arrangement also had to be used for a series against Cedar Rapids that began on April 15.

RELATED STORIES: Flooding Forces River Bandits to Shift Second Home SeriesFlooding Forces River Bandits Venue Shift to Burlington

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