Rockford Aviators

The Rockford Aviators were a professional baseball team based in Rockford, Illinois that played in the independent Frontier League. Rockford previously had a team in the Frontier League called the RiverHawks (2002-2009). There was no Rockford team in the Frontier League in 2010 as the team played in the independent Northern League. A separate RiverHawks franchise then returned to the Frontier League in 2011 and changed the team name to the Aviators in 2013.[1] The RiverHawks began play at Marinelli Field. In 2006, Rockford moved to RiverHawks Stadium, now known as Rivets Stadium, located in Loves Park, Illinois.

Rockford Aviators
Information
LeagueFrontier League (2002-2009, 2011–2015)
Northern League (2010)
LocationLoves Park, Illinois
BallparkMarinelli Field (2002-2005)
Aviators Stadium (2006-2015)
Year founded2002
Year folded2015
League championships1 (2004)
Division championships2 (2004, 2006)
Former name(s)
  • Rockford RiverHawks (2002–2012)
ColorsNavy blue, Columbia blue, orange, silver, white
         
MediaRockford Register Star

History

The Aviators Frontier League franchise was relocated from Springfield, Illinois, where the franchise played as the Springfield Capitals. The team moved to Rockford for the 2002 season. The RiverHawks franchise moved to the Northern League in 2010, but stayed for one season before a Rockford team returned to the Frontier League in 2011 when the Northern League folded. The team changed the name to the Aviators for 2013. The Aviators folded following the 2015 season.[2]

The highlight for Rockford was the stellar 2004 Frontier League season with manager Bob Koopmann, winning the West division with a 59-37 (.615) record, advancing to the playoffs where they edged the Windy City Thunderbolts 3-2 in the best of five series to advance to the league championship series.[3] Rockford would then sweep the Evansville Otters 3-0 to win the Frontier League title.[4] The team was led by pitcher Josh Tomsu (10-3, 2.64 ERA), closer Josh Latimer (3-3, 15 saves, 2.47 ERA), Aaron McEachran (.332 BA, 11 HR, 62 RBI), Rico Santana (.284 BA, 5 HR, 65 RBI, 27 SB), Doug Schutt (.286 BA, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 39 SB) and Frontier League MVP Rich Austin (.359 BA, 15 HR, 77 RBI, 22 SB).[5][6]

The franchise hit a difficult period in 2012 when the RiverHawks ballpark went through foreclosure.[7] The stadium ultimately was sold through auction in 2015.[8] The league had taken over management of the Aviators franchise late in the 2015 season, and with financial instability, the team disbanded.[9]

Rockford is represented in the Frontier League Hall of Fame by outfielders Stephen Holdren, Jason James and Richard Austin.[10]

Seasons
Rockford RiverHawks (Frontier League)
YearW-LPCTPlacePostseason
200245-39.5362nd in FL West
200348-42.5332nd in FL West
200459-37.6151st in FL WestDivision Series: Defeated the Gateway Grizzlies 3-2
Championship Series: Defeated the Evansville Otters 3-0
Frontier League Champions
200551-45.5312nd in FL WestLeague Division Series: Lost vs. Kalamazoo Kings 3-1
200649-47.5101st in FL WestLeague Division Series: Lost vs. Evansville Otters 3-2
200752-43.5472nd in FL CentralLeague Division Series: Lost vs. Windy City Thunderbolts 3-0
200848-48.5004th in FL West
200944-50.4684th in FL West
Rockford RiverHawks (Northern League)
YearW-LPCTPlacePostseason
201047-52.4755th in NL
Rockford RiverHawks (Frontier League)
YearW-LPCTPlacePostseason
201137-59.3856th in FL East
201241-55.4275th in FL West
Rockford Aviators (Frontier League)
YearW-LPCTPlacePostseason
201336-60.3756th in FL West
201440-56.4175th in FL West
201549-47.5383rd in FL WestQuarterfinals: Lost vs. Florence Freedom 1-0
2 Division Titles, 5 Playoff Appearances, 1 Championship

Notable alumni

References
  1. "RiverHawks no more: Loves Park man wins contest with Aviators", Rockford Register Star, Rockford, IL, 2013-01-28, archived from the original on 2013-02-16, retrieved 2013-02-01
  2. https://indyballisland.com/2015/10/26/frontier-league-loses-two-teams-for-2016-season/
  3. "2004 Frontier League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. "2004 Frontier League (FL) minor league baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "2004 Rockford RiverHawks minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "'Stateline Sports Memories': The night the Rockford RiverHawks won the Frontier League Championship". May 21, 2020.
  7. Reichard, Kevin (February 23, 2012). "RiverHawks: Ballpark foreclosure won't affect season".
  8. Star, Randy RuefRockford Register. "Auction of Aviator Stadium bodes well for pro baseball in Rockford". Rockford Register Star.
  9. "October 2015".
  10. "Hall of Fame – Frontier League".
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