It’s feeling more like spring than winter. Aren’t we all waiting for the crack of the bat? Well, in Des Moines we’re going to hear the crack of the helmets and pads first. It’s time for the Iowa Barnstormers and its league af2 (not to be confused with Des Moines’ earlier league affiliation Arena Football).
Iowa Barnstormers
- first game on March 27, 2009 in Milwaukee against the Milwaukee Iron (Too bad Newton doesn’t have a team; they could be the Newton Washers.)
- first home game on Saturday April 4 2009 against the Tulsa Talons, Wells Fargo Arena.
- tickets are listed as $12, $15, $19, $26, $42, and $58
- As of 3/19/2009 the prices are listed but the seating chart is not available, but I am sure they will post that information soon. Wouldn’t ya’ think?
I went to a Barnstormers game a few years ago. It’s quite entertaining. It’s rough like college and professional football, but it is faster paced, smaller field, closer (hence more personal), higher scoring, and – the out of bounds? – well, as you can see out of bounds is the wall.
There are a few regional names on the roster
- Tim Dodge (Rockwell City and Iowa)
- Jason Ripke (Newell and Simpson)
- DeAndre Jackson (ISU)
- Pete Traynor (Iowa)
- Donva Louder (Graceland)
- Mike Matthes (Williamsburg and UNI)
- Joe Brannen (Colo and Coe)
- Dusty Cain (Prairie City and Simpson)
- Tanner Varner (Ottumwa and UNI)
- J. J. Payne (Davenport)
- Eric Rothwell (Iowa)
- Charles Johnson (Cedar Falls and UNI)
Of course the Iowa Barnstormer and local boy we most like to remember is Kurt Warner (CR Regis and UNI) who went from Hy-Vee sacker to DE sackee in just a few short years. In case you missed it, Warner is making a few million dollars along the way (quite a few actually). He has won several MVP awards in the NFL and one in the Super Bowl. Kurt Warner had some surgery on his hip yesterday; it’s officially reported as hip labrum arthroscopic surgery. Want a nice description of what causes a hip labrum tear and how it gets fixed? The surgeon (who also repaired a damaged Alex Rodriguez), reported that he removed a few loose fragments from Warner’s hip.
Loose fragments happen.
According to the Arizona Cardinal site, Warner was up and on a stationary bike within hours but will miss the minicamp.
At any rate you’ll be able to see the Iowa Barnstormers in action soon. They play at Wells Fargo Arena.
photo by flickr by brood_wich
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