Riverside Pilots

The Riverside Pilots were a Minor League Baseball team in Riverside, California. They were a Class A-Advanced team that played in the California League, and were a farm team of the Seattle Mariners. In spite of making the playoffs each year of its existence, poor attendance plagued the franchise throughout its tenure. The Pilots finished last in the league in attendance for three consecutive seasons. The franchise was moved to Lancaster, for the 1996 season as the Lancaster JetHawks.

Riverside Pilots
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A-Advanced
LeagueCalifornia League
DivisionSouthern Division
Major league affiliations
TeamSeattle Mariners
Minor league titles
Division titles (1)1994
Team data
Previous names
Reno Silver Sox (1988–1992)
Reno Padres (1982–1987)
Reno Silver Sox (1955-1981)
ColorsNavy blue, silver, dark teal
     
BallparkRiverside Sports Center (1993–1995)

History

Riverside had been without professional baseball since the departure of the Red Wave in 1990. The Reno Silver Sox, who were in a contentious relationship with the city leaders resulting from poor conditions at Moana Stadium and disputed bills were a prospect for relocation. Offering a newer facility that had recently received a significant renovation, Riverside was seen as an upgrade to the Silver Sox.[1] The Silver Sox, who were in a contentious relationship with the city leaders resulting from poor conditions at Moana Stadium and disputed bills. The franchise inked a four year played development contract with the Seattle Mariners.[2] On December 2, 1992 it was officially announced that the franchise would relocate to Riverside.[3]

In their inaugural game the Pilots would open on the road against Angels affiliate Palm Springs. In a game with twenty-four combine hits, the Pilots won 8-7 to record their first victory.[4] Under the league's split season format the Pilots went 36-32 and 40-28 respectively for a record of 76-60 overall. Riverside tied with High Desert for the second half to set up a one game play-off to determine home field advantage for the best of five series division play-off.[5] Riverside dropped the play-off giving High Desert home field for the first three games in the series. The eventually California League champion Mavericks would take the series from the Pilots in four games.

Dave Myers returned a chief pilot for the 1994 campaign. Riverside posted a record of 87-49 on the year to win both halves of the season. The Pilots faced Rancho Cucamonga in the south division play-off series.[6] Riverside would suffer a similar fate as the previous season with a post season exit in four games. Despite another successful season in the win-loss column and consecutive post season appearances, the club finished last in league attendance tallying just over thirty-five thousand in sixty-seven home dates. The Pilots ownership attributed the poor attendance to the inability to sell beer at the games.

Entering the 1995 season there were rumblings that the Pilots were poised for relocation. The California League had witnessed a boon of new facilities in recent years. Other communities including Lancaster and Ventura sought the opportunity to bring professional baseball to their own backyard. Dave Brundage, was tabbed as manager for the Pilots. With the season still in progress it was announced that the club would be relocating to Lancaster, who had approved a new $7 million stadium. Riverside compiled a 72-67 record to finish third in the league's southern division. Under the California Leagues's new expanded play-off, Riverside earned a wild card berth. The Pilots met southern division second half winner, Lake Elsinore, in a three game set. The Pilots existence came to a close with a loss the Lake Elsinore in the decisive wild card game.

Upon relocating to Lancaster the franchise rebranded to become the Lancaster JetHawks.

Team identity

Upon relocating the franchise held a name the team contest. With over 2,000 entries, the club selected the name Riverside Pilots. "It's got both that nautical and aeronautical feel to it," said General Manager Jack Patton.[7] The team adopted a color scheme mirroring that of their parent club, the Seattle Mariners.

Ballpark

The Riverside Sports Center served as the Pilots' primary ballpark. Now known as the Riverside Sports Complex, the facility is the home of UC Riverside baseball.

Season-by-season record
Season PDC Division Finish Wins Losses Win% Post-season Manager Attendance
Riverside Pilots
1993 SEA South 2nd 76 61 .555 Lost division finals to High Desert Mavericks 1-3 Dave Myers 68,821
1994 SEA South 1st 87 49 .640 Lost division finals to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1-3 Dave Myers 85,358
1995 SEA South 3rd 72 67 .518 Lost division semi-finals to Lake Elsinore Storm 1-2 Dave Brundage 56,590
Division winner League champions

List of Riverside Pilots players in MLB

All players are listed in alphabetical order by their surname, with the year(s) they played for Riverside in parentheses.

Notes of interest

References
  1. Santoro, Joe. "Riverside ballpark attracts Silver Sox general manager". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  2. Santoro, Joe. "Mariners add Silver Sox to fleet". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  3. "Team's gone, lots of questions remain". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  4. Plunkett, Bill (1993). Persons, Davis (ed.). "Riverside takes off early in 8-7 win over Palm Springs". The Desert Sun Sun. p. Bq.
  5. Long, Jim (1993). "Despite win, Mav's forced to one game play-off". The San Bernardino County Sun. p. B1.
  6. "6 Sep 1994, Page 16 - The San Bernardino County Sun at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  7. Oberjuerge, Paul, ed. (1993). "Sports". The San Bernardino County Sun. p. 25.
  8. Riverside Pilots – Google News Archive Search
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