From Mascot Mayhem To Community Trust, A Minor League Owner Tells All
Mon Feb 02 2026
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We trace how a bruised franchise became a community beacon: a Ferris wheel inside the gates, a fan-led return to River Bandits, and partners who bet on a big vision. Dave Heller shares the mascot check fiasco, the bridge-in-the-logo story, and why family-first design wins.
• why an amusement-park mindset belongs in a ballpark
• the lockout scare and earning back trust
• Modern Woodmen partnership and local sponsors
• fan vote restoring River Bandits name
• Francis Santaquilani’s logo suite and bridge arches
• merch surge after rebrand and color debates
• letting kids roam safely while parents watch
• critiques of the Swing era and Copa identity
• pride in a naturally retro park by the river
• next week’s focus on Quad Cities baseball history
Make sure you guys hit the subscribe button, and if you want to, go ahead and go to the YouTube link and then hit subscribe there as well. Give it five stars, guys. That way I go up on the rankings. And until then, keep on grinding and then support the minor leagues.
Support the show
Make sure to follow the Dad Hat Chronicles: https://linktr.ee/TheDadHatChronicles
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Send us a text We trace how a bruised franchise became a community beacon: a Ferris wheel inside the gates, a fan-led return to River Bandits, and partners who bet on a big vision. Dave Heller shares the mascot check fiasco, the bridge-in-the-logo story, and why family-first design wins. • why an amusement-park mindset belongs in a ballpark • the lockout scare and earning back trust • Modern Woodmen partnership and local sponsors • fan vote restoring River Bandits name • Francis Santaquilani’s logo suite and bridge arches • merch surge after rebrand and color debates • letting kids roam safely while parents watch • critiques of the Swing era and Copa identity • pride in a naturally retro park by the river • next week’s focus on Quad Cities baseball history Make sure you guys hit the subscribe button, and if you want to, go ahead and go to the YouTube link and then hit subscribe there as well. Give it five stars, guys. That way I go up on the rankings. And until then, keep on grinding and then support the minor leagues. Support the show Make sure to follow the Dad Hat Chronicles: https://linktr.ee/TheDadHatChronicles