Rockford Aviators
Baseball team in Loves Park, Illinois
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The Rockford Aviators were a professional baseball team based in Loves Park, Illinois, that played in the independent Frontier League from 2013 through 2015. Their home field was Aviators Stadium.[2]
Northern League (2010)
Aviators Stadium (2006-2015)
| Rockford Aviators | |
|---|---|
Logo | |
| Information | |
| League | Frontier League (2002-2009, 2011–2015) Northern League (2010) |
| Location | Loves Park, Illinois |
| Ballpark | Marinelli Field (2002-2005) Aviators Stadium (2006-2015) |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Folded | 2015 |
| League championships | 1 (2004) |
| Division championships | 2 (2004, 2006) |
| Former name |
|
| Colors | Navy, orange, Columbia blue, white[1] |
History
Rockford joined the Frontier League in 2002, replacing Springfield in the league's membership.[3] In 2011, after the previous Rockford RiverHawks organization left the North American League, a new ownership group acquired the ballpark lease and team marks and returned a Rockford RiverHawks team to the Frontier League.[4] The Frontier League recorded the club's 2013 rebranding as the Aviators.[3]
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.[5] Rockford would then sweep the Evansville Otters 3-0 to win the Frontier League title.[6] 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).[7][8]
The franchise faced ballpark financial difficulties beginning in 2012, when the stadium entered foreclosure proceedings.[9] The ballpark was offered for sale in 2015.[2] The Aviators did not return to the Frontier League for the 2016 season.[10]
Rockford is represented in the Frontier League Hall of Fame by outfielders Stephen Holdren, Jason James and Richard Austin.[11]
Seasons
| Rockford RiverHawks (Frontier League) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | W-L | PCT | Place | Postseason |
| 2002 | 45-39 | .536 | 2nd in FL West | |
| 2003 | 48-42 | .533 | 2nd in FL West | |
| 2004 | 59-37 | .615 | 1st in FL West | Division Series: Defeated the Gateway Grizzlies 3-2 Championship Series: Defeated the Evansville Otters 3-0 Frontier League Champions |
| 2005 | 51-45 | .531 | 2nd in FL West | League Division Series: Lost vs. Kalamazoo Kings 3-1 |
| 2006 | 49-47 | .510 | 1st in FL West | League Division Series: Lost vs. Evansville Otters 3-2 |
| 2007 | 52-43 | .547 | 2nd in FL Central | League Division Series: Lost vs. Windy City Thunderbolts 3-0 |
| 2008 | 48-48 | .500 | 4th in FL West | |
| 2009 | 44-50 | .468 | 4th in FL West | |
| Rockford RiverHawks (Northern League) | ||||
| Year | W-L | PCT | Place | Postseason |
| 2010 | 47-52 | .475 | 5th in NL | |
| Rockford RiverHawks (Frontier League) | ||||
| Year | W-L | PCT | Place | Postseason |
| 2011 | 37-59 | .385 | 6th in FL East | |
| 2012 | 41-55 | .427 | 5th in FL West | |
| Rockford Aviators (Frontier League) | ||||
| Year | W-L | PCT | Place | Postseason |
| 2013 | 36-60 | .375 | 6th in FL West | |
| 2014 | 40-56 | .417 | 5th in FL West | |
| 2015 | 49-47 | .538 | 3rd in FL West | Quarterfinals: Lost vs. Traverse City Beach Bums 1-0 |
| 2 Division Titles, 5 Playoff Appearances, 1 Championship | ||||
Notable alumni
- Drew Rucinski (2011–13)
- José Martínez (2014)
- Josh Smoker (2014)
- Nick Anderson (2012–13)