Modern Woodmen Park Named Number One Minor League Ballpark in the Country

This post isn’t really Red Sox related, but it is baseball related.  As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, the ballpark in my hometown was one of the finalist for USA Today’s Best Minor League Ballpark in the Country.  We found out the results today, and Modern Woodmen Park was voted number one.

I did vote for Modern Woodmen Park because Davenport really does have a great ballpark.  I’ve spent many nights over the years at that ballpark, including a few birthdays for my youngest brother that included appearances by The Famous Chicken.  The ballpark has gone through some drastic changes in those years.

For one, since 1971 the ballpark was named John O’Donnell Stadium until about six years ago when Modern Woodmen of America paid for the naming rights.  I was actually working at Modern Woodmen of America when this happened, and the team’s mascot made an appearance at our Christmas lunch.  The press box was named John O’Donnell Press Box.

Over the last few years, there have been more and more upgrades to our beloved ballpark.  Some have lasted, like the cornfield behind home team’s bullpen that the players walk out of (like Field of Dreams).  Some have not, like the hot tub past right field.  This past season saw the introduction of the zip line, and a Ferris Wheel is supposedly in the works.

There’s a quote from Ballpark Digest on the Quad Cities River Bandits website that states “The integration of the old with the new makes Modern Woodmen Park one of the nicest ballparks in the minors.”

I didn’t go through all the ballparks that were finalists for USA Today’s poll, but I did see McCoy Stadium (Pawtucket) and LeLacheur Park (Lowell) were also finalists.  There's the Red Sox tie-in.

In 2008, there was an article in Sports Illustrated about the best minor league baseball experiences around the country, and going to a game at Modern Woodmen Park was listed.  You can find that story here.  Also, a few years ago, MLBNetwork broadcasted a game from Modern Woodmen Park, which was pretty neat to watch.

I thought I’d end this post with pictures of Modern Woodmen Park.  If you haven’t already had to opportunity to attend a game here, I would highly recommend it.  Not just because it’s my hometown’s ballpark, but because there’s an essence in that ballpark that keeps the game pure (despite all the added features it has).

To find out more about Modern Woodmen Park and the Quad Cities River Bandits click here.