Rockford Aviators

Rockford Aviators
File:Rockford Aviators.png
League	Frontier League (1993–2008, 2011–2015) (West)
Location	Loves Park, Illinois originally Rockford, Illinois
Ballpark	RiverHawks Stadium (2006-2010)
League championships	0
Division championships	6 (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006)
Former name(s)	Rockford RiverHawks (2002–2012)
Colors	Navy blue, Columbia blue, orange, silver, white
Ownership	Rock River Valley Baseball LLC
Manager	James Frisbie
General Manager	Brad Sholes
Media	Rockford Register Star
Website	www.rockfordaviators.com

The Rockford Aviators were a professional baseball team based in Rockford, Illinois, and played in the Frontier League. Previously, Rockford had a team in the Frontier League called the River Hawks, who began FL play in 2002. There was no Rockford team in the FL in 2010. Rockford came back into the Frontier League in 2011 and changed the team name to Aviators on January 27, 2013. In 2011, the Aviators moved into their most recent home, Aviators Stadium, located in Loves Park, Illinois.

History

The Aviators franchise was relocated from Chillicothe, Ohio, where they were known as the Chillicothe Paints, to Rockford in time for the 2011 season after the former Rockford RiverHawks franchise moved to the Northern League in 2010 and folded following that season. The club operated as the RiverHawks for 2011 and 2012 before changing the name to Aviators.

Seasons

Chillicothe Paints (Frontier League)
Year	W-L	PCT	Place	Postseason
1993	25-27	.480	2nd in FL West
1994	33-34	.492	1st in FL Southern	Lost 1st Round Playoff vs Lancaster Scouts 2-1
1995	21-48	.304	8th in FL
1996	48-26	.649	1st in FL East	Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Johnstown Steal 2-1. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Springfield Capitals 2-0.
1997	41-38	.519	3rd in FL East
1998	48-31	.608	1st in FL East	Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Canton Crocodiles 2-1. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Springfield Capitals 2-1.
1999	45-38	.542	2nd in FL East
2000	42-40	.512	3rd in FL East
2001	51-33	.607	1st in FL East	Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Canton Crocodiles 2-1. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Richmond Roosters 3-0.
2002	35-49	.417	5th in FL East
2003	54-31	.635	1st in FL East	Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Evansville Otters 2-1.
2004	48-48	.500	4th in FL East
2005	53-42	.558	T-2nd in FL East	Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Washington Wild Things 3-2. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Kalamazoo Kings 3-2.
2006	58-37	.611	1st in FL East	Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Washington Wild Things 3-1. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Evansville Otters 3-0.
2007	47-49	.490	2nd in FL East
2008	39-57	.406	5th in FL East
2009	Did Not Play
2010	Did Not Play
Total	688-628	.523		6 Division Titles.
Rockford RiverHawks (Frontier League)
2011	37-59	.385	6th in FL East
2012	41-55	.427	5th in FL West
Rockford Aviators (Frontier League)

Current roster

Rockford Aviators roster
Active (24-man) roster				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 25 Kyle Allen 23 Kyle Brueggemann 11 Eric Cendejas 22 Patrick Dolan 19 Matt Frahm 91 Nick Grim 21 Kyle Hassna 26 Michael Holback 44 Colby Holmes 10 Roberto Padilla 10px 28 Tony Rizzotti 13 David Russo  9 Michael Schaub		Catchers 12 Ryan Breen  6 Mason Morioka Infielders  2 Brian Bistagne 27 Devon Rodriguez  1 Connor Szczerba 14 Elijah Trail 15 Greg Velazquez  5 Tanner Witt Outfielders  7 Michael Hur  4 Teodoro Martinez 30 Anthony Renteria 24 Dusty Robinson		Manager  8 James Frisbie Coaches 29 Jeff Brooks (Hitting) 29 John Foster (Pitching) 10px Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list Roster updated May 17, 2015 Transactions

External links

• Rockford Aviators
• Frontier League
• Aviators page at OurSports Central