| Rockford Aviators | |
| Founded: | 2002 |
| Folded: | 2015 |
| City: | Loves Park, Illinois |
| Ballpark: | Marinelli Field (2002-2005) Aviators Stadium (2006-2015) |
| League: | Frontier League (2002-2009, 2011–2015) Northern League (2010) |
| Former Names: |
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| Colors: | Navy blue, Columbia blue, orange, silver, white |
| League Champs: | 1 (2004) |
| Division Champs: | 2 (2004, 2006) |
| Media: | Rockford Register Star |
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. The RiverHawks began play at Marinelli Field. In 2006, Rockford moved to RiverHawks Stadium, now known as Rivets Stadium, located in Loves Park, Illinois.
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.[1]
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.[2] Rockford would then sweep the Evansville Otters 3-0 to win the Frontier League title.[3] 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).[4] [5]
The franchise hit a difficult period in 2012 when the RiverHawks ballpark went through foreclosure.[6] The stadium ultimately was sold through auction in 2015.[7] The league had taken over management of the Aviators franchise late in the 2015 season, and with financial instability, the team disbanded.[8]
Rockford is represented in the Frontier League Hall of Fame by outfielders Stephen Holdren, Jason James and Richard Austin.[9]
| 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. Florence Freedom 1-0 | |
| 2 Division Titles, 5 Playoff Appearances, 1 Championship | |||||