It's been TOO long since I've been to a ball game.  We always go at least once a year with my family but of course last year nothing was normal.  So, sitting in the beer garden and BSing with my family & friends is something I'm missing tremendously this year.

And now...whether you're in the stands or watching from home, the Quad Cities River Bandits fans will have the highest quality video production in the teams history!

You'll be able to experience the new upgrades firsthand starting on June 1 when the River Bandits return home for a six-game homestand against Beloit.

Guests at River Bandits’ home games are now treated to high-definition video and live in-game scoring graphics both on Modern Park’s state-of-the-art video board and its new ribbon board, both of which are capable of displaying 4K content. Both the new videoboard and ribbon board were built by Peerless A-V; the new cameras and software were installed by the 12-10 Production Company.

 

 

“I’ve always said the best seats in baseball are right here in the Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park and today, with our new videoboard, ribbon board and high-definition cameras that’s more true than ever,” said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. “We’ve added three new high-definition cameras, cool new graphics, and new high-tech software programs. The 12-10 Production Company does cutting edge work and we’re delighted to partner with them and the great people at Peerless-AV to bring a state-of-the-art major league experience to the Quad Cities.”

 

 

In addition to the in-ballpark upgrades, MiLB.TV broadcasts of River Bandits home games now feature a scoring display and replay system along with a three-camera high-definition video stream. “This new equipment will be the backbone of the River Bandits production department for the next decade,” said 12-10 Production Company owner, Brad Jagielski. “As technology changes, the team will be able to add new features to a system that allows the team to develop new creative ideas and maximize the full capabilities of the new system.”

 

 

“The importance of digital signage within ballparks is more important than ever as teams seek to encourage fans back into the stands for live games after so long watching from the comfort of their own homes,” commented Nick Belcore, Executive Vice President, Peerless-AV. “Peerless-AV is pleased to have collaborated with Main Street Baseball to deliver digital signage solutions that significantly enhance the fan experience in one of the best parks in all of Minor League Baseball.”

Iowa's Island City

There is something unique about every town, but there is really something special about Sabula, IA. Known as "Iowa's Island City," Sabula is the only town in the state of Iowa that is entirely on an island. While not a lot of people have been to, or live in Sabula, it is a quaint little town nestled right on the Mississippi River.

Before we show you around "Iowa's Island City," let me give you the history of Sabula. Sabula was established in 1835, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis. Isaac Dorman and a man named Hinkley crossed the river from the Illinois side on a log and decided to settle on what is now Sabula. An Ohio couple, James and Margaret Woods would settle on Sabula about a year later in April of 1836. Their son, Dr. E. A. Woods would purchase Hinkley's interest in the claim. Charles Swan and W. H. Brown would soon purchase Dorman's interest. The three men, Woods, Swan and Brown later had the land plotted in 1837.

The idea behind plotting the land was because there was no town between Lyons (north Clinton) and Bellevue. The plot of the new town was recorded in Dubuque as this area was part of Dubuque county at the time, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

According to Island City Harbor's website, Sabula went through a few names before landing on the official town name. In 1837, Sabula was first called Carrollport. Residents of the town didn't like the name because there was a man's name who was Carroll who had a bad reputation. The town changed its name to Charleston, after early settler Charles Swan. The only issue was that there was already a town called Charleston in Iowa which caused much confusion.

In 1846 the settler’s decided to find a name. Island City Harbor's website says that because of it’s sandy soil, William Hubble suggested the town be called "Sabulum" which is Latin for sand. A party was being held around the time the town name was being discussed, when a woman, supposed to be Miss Harriet Hudson, suggested the town be called Sabula as it was easier to pronounce and sounded more elegant, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

Sabula did not actually become an island until 1939. According to Wikipedia, in the 1930's, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the lock and dam system. In 1939, Lock and Dam No. 13 between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL was built which caused the bottomlands west of the town permanently flooded. With the Mississippi River east of the town, this created the "Island City." A levee was built around Sabula in 1957 for protection, according to Island City Harbor's website. This also allowed for the south sand pit to be turned into a boat harbor.

I would like to thank my mom Beth, her fiancé Matt, my brother Nolan and my wife Ellie for accompanying me to Sabula. We always have a blast on our trips and this one was no exception.

It's now time to introduce you to Sabula, Iowa, Iowa's Island City.

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