36 players and the 7-member coaching staff arrived this week at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
Second year manager Brooks Conrad hopes to improve on last year's losing record, but says his main job is developing the young players.
"Wins are definitely something we strive for every day, the goal is to go out there and win the ballgame but if that doesn't happen we're not going to really pound that into them that we're upset that we're losing. We're more interested in what effort they're putting in, are they preparing."
This season, major league baseball implemented several changes to speed up the game and make it more exciting to watch. Conrad says minor league teams have been using those "new" rules for two years already.
"I like the more stolen bases, I like the more athletic plays in the infield as far as you can't shift any more. So it's bringing back some excitement."
The River Bandits open the 132-game season Friday night hosting South Bend, and again Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.