Yesterday, we counted down the top stories of the year from 30-21, today we get into the next ten, 20-11, and it’s, for the most part, a pretty upbeat mix of stories of local successes, on the individual and group level. For the criteria on how we picked the stories, check out my column on the countdown. And, without any further ado, here’s today’s part of the top 30 of 2019 . . .   20.) Raccoon Motel Switches To Devon’s Complaint Department, Ending The Moeller Reign Of Downtown Davenport: Over the past few years, Sean Moeller was the ubiquitous king of downtown Davenport, and beyond... Read More

Davenport’s team was eliminated Sunday from the Babe Ruth World Series after a fourth tough loss, but its team can hold its head high after another terrific effort, perhaps their best yet of the competition. The team is composed of Manager Jason Gillaspie, Coach Larry Cato, Coach Tony Losasso and players Cody Depardo, Sam Wellman, Jacob Struss, Luke Loving, Lucas Gross, Andrew Hutchcroft, Cade Amato, Nate Canfield, Jake Mahon, Alex Jaros, Owen Steiger, Jackson Vogel, Kieren Obrien and Sam Fleming. Day four of the thirteen year old Ottumwa Babe Ruth World Series started smoothly but was interrupted... Read More

Davenport and Meridian entered the nightcap session of day 3 at the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series both searching for their first win. Both teams committed costly errors, but Meridian would earn the win 5-4 on a walk off single by Layton Jenkins. In the 3rd inning, Davenport was the beneficiary of two errors as they scored two runs off a botched double play attempt. 2 batters later an infield single by Cody Depardo made it 3-0 Davenport. Meridian would tack on a run after a liner by Travis Boswell found its way off the outstretched glove of Depardo to score Brock Butler from third. Davenport... Read More

In one of the night cap games for day two of the thirteen year old Ottumwa Babe Ruth World Series, Pearl City(HI) took on Davenport(IA). Pearl City jumped out early and cruised to a five inning 11-0 win over Davenport. Things were all Pearl City’s way in the first. Jayton Pang started with a double, Kelena Sauer then singled. But it was a wild pitch that brought in the first run. Next up Michael Yamaguchi singled followed by Bryden “Maka” Malama with a sacrifice fly to score Sauer. Jaron Yoshikane got in on the scoring next with a RBI single bringing in Yamaguchi, Pearl City went up 3-0. Two... Read More

If you like offense, the nightcap game featuring Sarasota and Davenport was the game for you. Both teams traded blows down the stretch until a 5 run 5th inning by Sarasota put the contest out of reach. Sarasota would get the ball rolling in the first inning scoring two runs off RBI singles by Luke Holman and Chase Palmer. On the mound, Hunter Bell of Sarasota was wild at the start, but still managed to keep Davenport off the board until the 3rd inning when Davenport got on the board due to a fielder’s choice. Sarasota would add to their lead off of a Gabe Copeland RBI double down the line that... Read More

OTTUMWA – The Babe Ruth World Series got underway in Ottumwa, Iowa Wednesday afternoon, with a little light-hearted fun. Players from all ten teams took the field for the skills competition. Spokane Washington had the best showing, winning two events. The Pacific Northwest Champs won the Turn Two competition as the fastest team to turn three sets of double plays. Spokane’s David Dawson won the Home Run Derby, hitting two dingers. Waterford Connecticut’s Connor Podeszwa won the Bean Babe competition, awarded to the player that scored the most points throwing at a home plate target. Eau... Read More

The Davenport 13-year-old little league team is headed to the big show. The all-star team composed of players from the Davenport, Bettendorf and surrounding Iowa areas will be playing in the Babe Ruth World Series next month. The team reports Aug. 9 and will begin games Aug. 11 in Ottumwa, Iowa, against a dozen teams from around the world in the double-elimination round-robin tournament. The team is composed of Manager Jason Gillaspie, Coach Larry Cato, Coach Tony Losasso and players Cody Depardo, Sam Wellman, Jacob Struss, Luke Loving, Lucas Gross, Andrew Hutchcroft, Cade Amato, Nate Canfield,... Read More