The Quad Cities professional baseball team will have a new home next season and could have a new nickname as well. General Manager Dave Ziedelis says team officials are considering changing the club’s current nickname, “River Bandits”, in conjunction with the facelift for John O’Donnell Stadium in Davenport. The stadium, which is 71-years-old, will be gutted and totally rebuilt with modern amenities. He says they also wanted to discuss the possibility of changing the name and getting public reaction.The team is holding a “name the team” contest which runs until June 20th and officials are meeting with groups of residents to get their ideas. He says the river and gambling have been a component of several suggestions for names, as have music and farming.Ziedelis says in the end they may decide to keep “River Bandits” as the nickname. He says they don’t think they’ve found the name to replace it yet.Ziedelis says they are looking at everything from the types of food served in the concession stands to team logos and uniforms. He says now is the time to change as they’re redoing the facility.
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