By Jeff Orvis
The other night, I did something that
I hadn't done for at least 20 years – I went to a minor league
baseball game. I realize that those of you who know me may find this
hard to believe. Much of my professional life, as well as free time,
has been centered around sports. But with numerous high school teams
to cover and my rabid interest in the Chicago Cubs, I just hadn't
found time to make the effort to go to a minor league game.
On this night, the pastor of my mom's
church was scheduled to throw out the first pitch at a Quad-City
River Bandits game.
The team was hosting a church night promotion and
she was able to get tickets at a discounted price. Before the start
of the game, the pastor even arranged for a short Bible study. He got
the club to allow him to use one of the luxury suites for a few
minutes. I thought maybe he was going to suggest that Abner Doubleday
had been at the Last Supper, but instead he found an interesting
Biblical reference to Bandits.
The River Bandits play in the Lower A
Midwest League. Their park, Modern Woodmen Park, sits on the banks of
the mighty Mississippi and has often been cited as one of the most
picturesque parks in minor league baseball. The area has hosted a pro
team since 1901, when the River Rats began play. Over the years, the
name has changed, as has the major league affiliation. Some of the
more colorful names for the local team have included the Riversides,
Knickerbockers, Prodigals, Blue Sox, Quads and DavSox, as well as the
names of several major league teams. The team has been affiliated
with 10 big league teams over the years, starting with the Brooklyn
Dodgers in 1936. Their current affiliation is with the St. Louis
Cardinals.
When I was much younger, I attended
some games and other events at the old ball park. When the California
Angels were the major league affiliation, our town was the first stop
for one of the first “bonus babies,” a big, strapping outfielder
who was signed for a $200,000 bonus. As I recall, he went on to play
in the majors for a few years, but never quite made the Hall of Fame.
I remember being one of the members of a capacity crowd who saw the
California Angels big league club play our local Class A team in an
exhibition. We also were there for a pro wrestling program and I was
in the stands when the late, great Johnny Cash performed a free
concert, at the invitation of a local clergyman.
When we attended games as kids, we
would wait for somebody to foul off a pitch, then scramble to the top
of the stands and look out through huge openings in the wall to see
if the ball hit any cars. The stadium featured a great view, but the
benches were uncomfortable and the stadium could be drafty.
My first thought when I stepped inside
the stadium on my most recent trip was, “This certainly isn't your
father's baseball stadium!” Over the years, it has undergone
several renovations and the most recent is truly awesome! I already
mentioned the luxury suites. For those with limited mobility, they
were easily accessed via an elevator. When the elevator doors open,
you are not met by the river breezes, but you step into a
climate-controlled, carpeted lobby. Walk down a hall and you see
doors to 20 suites on your right. To your left, is a large dining
area, complete with linen tableclothes and silver. This area is
available all year for special events. Each of the suites include
comfortable seating inside, a TV and a kitchenette.
Back downstairs, where the common folk
mingle, the old wooden benches have been replaced by individual
seats. There's a stadium club behind the seats for those who would
like to take a break from the action for some refreshment. There's a
wide variety of concessions with plenty of attentive and helpful
personnel ready to see to your every need. There's a huge TV screen
in left field which offers replays, etc.
If you go to a minor league game
expecting to see the next major league superstar, you may or may not
succeed. The oldest kid on the River Bandits' team is 24. Many of
them make no more than $1,200 per month. But the hopes, dreams and
potential on that field is beyond measure.
At one time, baseball was thought to
be America's game. Lately, stock car racing and football have shared
that designation in the minds of many fans. But it's not difficult to
see the argument put forth by baseball fans. The Davenport team is
one of 16 teams in its league. There are 14 other teams in the other
“Low A” class. Add to that 30 teams in three leagues in High A,
30 teams in three leagues in Class AA, 46 teams in three leagues in
Class AAA, as well as 22 other teams in Short Season A Basll in two
leagues, 18 teams in two leagues in Advanced Rookie ball, 69 teams in
four leagues in Rookie ball and six more teams in one league in Fall
ball. That's more than 250 minor league baseball teams playing in
four countries. That's a lot of young men who undoubtedly all harbor
the dream of being the next multi-million dollar star of a World
Series champion.
Modern Woodmen Park may not be Wrigley
Field. But it's a chance to wander in, grab a dog and a beer and be
entertained for two or three hours without having to take out a
second mortgage on your house for the privilege. The chance to see a
future superstar is not guaranteed, but is offered as a bonus at no
additional charge.
