Iowa Barnstormer's Arena Football Talk

[DMRyan]

Talk in the DSM Register today about the AFL2 corporate office being wooed by Des Moines and Iowa Economic Development officials. Only 15 employees on the office, but it would be a nice ceremonial coup if we were able to land this.

Arenafootball2 officials are looking for a new home for the league's headquarters, and Des Moines is in the running.

The Iowa Department of Economic Development provided few details but confirmed there are talks to bring the league office to Des Moines from Chicago.

"All we can say is that there has been contact and discussions," said IDED's Erin Seidler.

Jeff Lamberti, who heads the ownership group of the Iowa Barnstormers, said that league owners were surprised by the interest of cities in getting the league's front office.
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Another top contender is Tulsa, Lamberti said. The league office employs 10 to 15 people, he said.

[dogbo]

Only two more home games (not including possible playoff games)! Hope to see an uptick in attendence tomorrow eve. and in a couple weeks.

Sidenote: anyone have any idea why they've moved the organized tailgating to the south side of Vets? Previous year and most of this year it has been held on the north side.

[dogbo]

Only two more home games (not including possible playoff games)! Hope to see an uptick in attendence tomorrow eve. and in a couple weeks.

Good win tonight. Announced attendance was 9,400+ so good to see that going up again.

[DMRyan]

I find it very unprofessional that our local sportscasters are taking potshots at the Quad Cities in the way in which they are.

Tonight's WHO newscast had a sportscaster saying something to the effect of "the Barnstomers have to go to the Quad Cities next weekend...wear surgical face masks", implying that the place is some dirty hell hole. I've heard other snipes whenever it's mentioned that the Barnstormers are playing the Steamwheelers. Obviously, there's an interstate rivalry, but this kind of thing does nothing to invoke a classy organization or make for a fanbase that can take the high road when it comes to sportsmanship.

[QuadCityImages]

I would say that's right in line with the kind of bad reputation the QC area has been fighting for 20 or 30 years. In 1989 that kind of image might not have been too inaccurate, but things have changed since then. Its why some of us come across as pretty defensive, especially since there are people living here who still think the area is what it was back then.

Of course, by the sound of things, those announcers probably won't have to worry about visiting the iWireless Center after this season... who knows though.

[mirage1]

It is good to see we have found the two people right here in this forum who never told any Minnesota jokes.

The WHO sportscasters have LONG been known for their sense of humor (which, sad to say, there are a few that don't get it)

The Arena Football league has a long reputation as one that (even IN the game) allows extra emotion to show and even taunting of the opponents by other players. You will rarely see an unsportsmanlike conduct call unless fists are flying. (again, obviously there are a few that don't get it)

Much like the over the top WWF, and TV like "Wipe Out" where some taunting is a major part of the "entertainment", the Arena league was BUILT to be a bit over the top in this area (and many OTHER areas...ex. if its too loud you are too old) and as one that attends every arena game is aware that virtually every real arena fan understands the context of those statements. Bucs fans understand this every time they play Sioux City....do you know the chant? I surmise the VAST majority of real Arena fans clearly understand these comments if you take them in context as intended, and don't have thin enough skin that they take them too seriously.

I suggest to those that feel "insulted" by a bit of taunting relax a bit and understand the context. In Arena Football, you will note that even after all of the taunting of each other by players on the field after the game all come together and hold hands, and leave all bad feelings on the field. They ALL clearly "get it". Learn a lesson from that.

That is class.

[hawk61401]

Sports radio in Des Moines ... ya gotta love it. It's so, shall we say .... colorful? Did anyone hear the profanity-laced argument that was heard live on the air during a commercial break on KXNO? The mics were still on as the station cut to commercials. I was waiting for a fist fight to break out on the air.

Here it is ..

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

Sports radio in Des Moines ... ya gotta love it. It's so, shall we say .... colorful? Did anyone hear the profanity-laced argument that was heard live on the air during a commercial break on KXNO? The mics were still on as the station cut to commercials. I was waiting for a fist fight to break out on the air.

Here it is ..

Welcome to 4 months ago.

[hawk61401]

Welcome to 4 months ago.

Yes, it's sooooo yesterday. But not everyone lives in the center of the universe (Ankeny) and knows or is aware of everything in Des Moines the way you are blessed.

[dogbo]

I have to side with mirage on this one. You can't look at remarks made by sports talk guys (or fans for that matter) between rival cities as anything more than normal banter that goes along with normal "smack talk" between competing teams.

Keith and Andy (WHOTV13's "Soundoff") have a history of smart-a$$ remarks on their show. No one is off limits. It is what makes the show entertaining.

Ryan, you're taking them much too seriously and giving their off-hand comments waaaaayyyyy too much credit.

[dogbo]

Welcome to 4 months ago.

Yes, it's sooooo yesterday. But not everyone lives in the center of the universe (Ankeny) and knows or is aware of everything in Des Moines the way you are blessed.

OK….that was a little funny. This story was all over the place when it happened.

In hawk's defense, if you're not in central Iowa, you probably didn't realize how heavily covered this was at the time.

[hawk61401]

[
OK….that was a little funny. This story was all over the place when it happened.

In hawk's defense, if you're not in central Iowa, you probably didn't realize how heavily covered this was at the time.

Thanks dogbo. I think sometimes people forget that this medium is not like an AM radio station that reaches only to Pella. Being the artistic person that I am, I try to speak to the national/international audience that is not aware of the daily happenings in Des Moines. So, someone in Penguin, Tasmania now knows that there are sports announcers in Des Moines who don't act like good Methodists.

[Ingersoll1978]

It's nice that the Quad City-Iowa game is on Mediacom Channel 22. The Barnstormers came flying back to the lead in the second...30-28. It's amazing to me how empty the Mark (iWireless) is compared to when they are at home at WFA.

[Ingersoll1978]

Barnstormers win a close one... 57-49

[DMRyan]

So a win next week ensures that any/all playoff games will be home games for the Barnstormers? I'd better make it to next week's game to see them during regular season play one last time.

[bettman]

It's nice that the Quad City-Iowa game is on Mediacom Channel 22. The Barnstormers came flying back to the lead in the second...30-28. It's amazing to me how empty the Mark (iWireless) is compared to when they are at home at WFA.

The Steamwheelers sold out every game at The Mark during their first two seasons, but just like professional hockey, the locals became bored with the sport. Believe it or not, there are other things to do in the Quad Cities than just sit in an arena and watch minor league sports.

[bettman]

I would say that's right in line with the kind of bad reputation the QC area has been fighting for 20 or 30 years. In 1989 that kind of image might not have been too inaccurate, but things have changed since then. Its why some of us come across as pretty defensive, especially since there are people living here who still think the area is what it was back then.

It's arena FRICKIN' football, dude. Seriously.

Why don't you save your outrage for more important topics...like how Bettendorf is such a terrible city because its beating the crap out of Davenport in nearly every category. Ya' know...your typical routine.

[Ingersoll1978]

The actual attendance was 3972 on Saturday's game in Moline. I understand there are competing events, as there always are in the summer. It's not a jab at the Quad Cities, it just reminded me of going to an Iowa Chops game.

Keeping the Steamwheelers in the league is important, as I really enjoy going to those games when they are playing the Barnstormers (same with any other Prof. minor league).

[bettman]

The actual attendance was 3972 on Saturday's game in Moline. I understand there are competing events, as there always are in the summer. It's not a jab at the Quad Cities, it just reminded me of going to an Iowa Chops game.

Competing events or not, the Quad Cities is just pretty much bored of arena football. The Wheelers won their two consecutive af2 titles and had a 39-1 record for 2001 & 2001. There was nowhere for that team to go but down. Just like the Mallards in hockey, there was a huge initial feeding frenzy from the public which quickly burned out by 2004.

The QC doesn't approach minor league sports in the same serious manner Des Moines does. Most of the focus here is on outdoor music and individual competition events (i.e. Quad City Air Show, Mississippi Blues Fest, John Deere PGA Golf Classic, Bix 7, River Roots Live, etc.) Minor league sports is treated as filler material by most folks when there's nothing bigger going on over the weekend.

It also doesn't matter what level of minor league the team is in, either. Hockey was drawing 8,500 fans every game with a barely AA-level team, yet couldn't draw any more than 3,500 with the AHL. Meanwhile, the River Bandits are having one of their best seasons ever at the gate with Low-A MWL baseball. Right or wrong, it seems minor league sports are simply regarded as something of a novelty item in the Quad Cities.

[mirage1]

tonight.
fan blackout.
last game of the regular season.
10000 cowbells and out of control fans.
yarddawgz in town. (thinking they have a chance)
halftime with the river rescue team.
the storm chaser dance team.

and believe it or not, a concert with the soapbox prophets with the legendary james biehn on guitar.

it does NOT get better than this.

[DMRyan]

Followed by a night out in the best entertainment district in town if you're under 50 (downtown), and you're right! It doesn't get any better than this!

Looking forward to the game and I'm betting on more than 10,000 fans for this one.

[Ingersoll1978]

Attendance tonight against the Yard Dawgz was 10,516. Stormers won a crazy game 63-59.

[Des Moineser]

Crazy indeed, player ejection, fan escorted out by police, a great comeback, and seeing my most hated receivers coach from HS (#12 Dusty Kain) an awful job, which is typical for him. Quite the night.

[dogbo]

That wasn't just any fan that was escorted out last night (twice!) . That was Howe, #77. offensive lineman from the original Barnstormers.

Very fun game last night. I brought four out-of-town guests to the game last night and they had a blast.

[hawk61401]

Followed by a night out in the best entertainment district in town if you're under 50 (downtown), and you're right! It doesn't get any better than this!

Aaaah, c'mon. Ageism is stereotyping/discriminating of people because of their age. Twenty-somethings flock to concerts at WFA for rock bands that have members in their 60s.

[mirage1]

That wasn't just any fan that was escorted out last night (twice!) . That was Howe, #77. offensive lineman from the original Barnstormers.

Very fun game last night. I brought four out-of-town guests to the game last night and they had a blast.

What are you talking about?....before anyone gets confused, the guy Dogbo is speakng of was NOT thrown out..just escorted back to his seat on the sideline of the field as he was NOT supposed to be seated in the end zone, is NOT Garry Howe even though he wears a cheap replica #77 jersey, and his actual name is Ron.

Garry is a friend of mine, and really would not appreciate being misidentified as you did in your post Dogbo.

[Des Moineser]

What are you talking about?....before anyone gets confused, the guy Dogbo is speakng of was NOT thrown out..just escorted back to his seat on the sideline of the field as he was NOT supposed to be seated in the end zone, is NOT Garry Howe even though he wears a cheap replica #77 jersey, and his actual name is Ron.

It wasn't Howe, he just had the jersey (it was some old guy), but the guy did get ejected. He was yelling tons of nasty stuff at the Oklahoma players and two police escorted him out of the arena after he got sent out by the first security guard.

[dogbo]

That wasn't just any fan that was escorted out last night (twice!) . That was Howe, #77. offensive lineman from the original Barnstormers.

Very fun game last night. I brought four out-of-town guests to the game last night and they had a blast.

What are you talking about?....before anyone gets confused, the guy Dogbo is speakng of was NOT thrown out..just escorted back to his seat on the sideline of the field as he was NOT supposed to be seated in the end zone, is NOT Garry Howe even though he wears a cheap replica #77 jersey, and his actual name is Ron.

Garry is a friend of mine, and really would not appreciate being misidentified as you did in your post Dogbo.

My apologies for this misidentification. Thanks for correcting the record. That said, "Ron" got a police escort out of the building when he tried to return to his original seat (after being removed from the end zone seat he'd temporarily moved to). I was right there as the two officers took him from his regular sideline seat and escorted him out.

[Ingersoll1978]

My goodness...tonight's game was madness. The ups and down were numerous! Thankfully, the 'Stormers beat Manchester, 70-53!

[mirage1]

Really really really fun game last night.

That crowd was ROCKIN!

I still am recovering. Whew!