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.
History Rockford joined the Frontier League in 2002, replacing Springfield in the league's membership. 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. The Frontier League recorded the club's 2013 rebranding as the Aviators.
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. Rockford would then sweep the Evansville Otters 3-0 to win the Frontier League title. 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).
The franchise faced ballpark financial difficulties beginning in 2012, when the stadium entered foreclosure proceedings. The ballpark was offered for sale in 2015. The Aviators did not return to the Frontier League for the 2016 season.
Rockford is represented in the Frontier League Hall of Fame by outfielders Stephen Holdren, Jason James and Richard Austin.
Seasons Rockford RiverHawks (Frontier League) Year W-L PCT Place Postseason200245-39.5362nd in FL West200348-42.5332nd in FL West200459-37.6151st in FL WestDivision Series: Defeated the Gateway Grizzlies 3-2 Championship Series: Defeated the Evansville Otters 3-0 Frontier League Champions200551-45.5312nd in FL West League Division Series: Lost vs. Kalamazoo Kings 3-1200649-47.5101st in FL West League Division Series: Lost vs. Evansville Otters 3-2200752-43.5472nd in FL Central League Division Series: Lost vs. Windy City Thunderbolts 3-0200848-48.5004th in FL West200944-50.4684th in FL WestRockford RiverHawks (Northern League) Year W-L PCT Place Postseason201047-52.4755th in NLRockford RiverHawks (Frontier League) Year W-L PCT Place Postseason201137-59.3856th in FL East201241-55.4275th in FL WestRockford Aviators (Frontier League) Year W-L PCT Place Postseason201336-60.3756th in FL West201440-56.4175th in FL West201549-47.5383rd in FL WestQuarterfinals: Lost vs. Traverse City Beach Bums 1-02 Division Titles, 5 Playoff Appearances, 1 Championship
Notable alumni Drew Rucinski (2011–13) José Martínez (2014) Josh Smoker (2014) Nick Anderson (2012–13)
References
External links Frontier League Aviators page at OurSports Central