Impact of the Ryno...

Steve Batterson at the Quad-City Times takes a look at what the return of Ryne Sandberg as the manager of the Peoria Chiefs means to the Quad City River Bandits and the Clinton LumberKings.

First a bit about last season and the spike in attendance for both clubs:

Not only did Sandberg’s presence help Peoria establish attendance records, it also attracted a crowd throughout the league.

Quad-Cities, which averaged 2,254 fans last season, drew an average of 3,288 in the five games Peoria played in Davenport.

The Chiefs played four games in Clinton, but the LumberKings established a franchise attendance record for a four-game series.

How Peoria many visits to the respective river towns in '08?

He’ll appear in both cities more than twice as often in 2008. The River Bandits have 11 home games against the Chiefs and the LumberKings will host Peoria eight times.

Clinton general manager Ted Tornow said the crowds will continue to follow.

“I think he’ll be the same type of draw that he was last season,” Tornow said. “People who didn’t get a chance to come out and see him before will now have that chance. We’ve already had sponsors call to see if they could set up their night for one of the games Peoria is in town.”

One more time, the Chiefs will play the Rattlers on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on June 1, 2, 3 & 4 and July 1, 2, 3, & 4. Make your plans.