Rockford RiverHawks
- Location: Rockford, IL
- League: Frontier League 2002-2009, 2011-2012; Northern League 2010
- Affiliation: Independent
- Stadium: Marinelli Field 2002-2005; Road Ranger Stadium 2006-2012
Team History[edit]
The Rockford RiverHawks began play in the independent Frontier League in 2002. Previously the Springfield Capitals, the team was bought and relocated to Rockford, Illinois. The RiverHawks went on to capture the league championship in 2004. Through 2005, they played their home games at Marinelli Field before moving to RiverHawks Stadium in 2006. The club opened a new ballpark, Road Ranger Stadium in 2006.
In 2004, Rockford edged the Gateway Grizzlies in five games in the first round and swept the Evansville Otters, three games to none, in the finals. In 2006, the two teams again met in the finals, this time with Evansville besting Rockford for the Frontier League Championship.
The RiverHawks left the Frontier League, and moved to the Northern League beginning with the 2010 season. After the Northern League closed the RiverHawks rejoined the Frontier League. The club was renamed the Rockford Aviators for 2013.
Year-by-Year Record[edit]
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 45-39 | 5th | Bob Koopmann | |
| 2003 | 48-42 | 6th | Bob Koopmann | |
| 2004 | 59-37 | 2nd | Bob Koopmann | League Champs |
| 2005 | 51-45 | 6th | Mike Young | Lost in 1st round |
| 2006 | 49-47 | 4th | J.D. Arndt | Lost in 1st round |
| 2007 | 52-43 | 4th | J.D. Arndt | Lost in 1st round |
| 2008 | 48-48 | 6th (t) | Bob Koopmann | |
| 2009 | 44-50 | 7th | Bob Koopmann | |
| 2010 | 47-52 | 5th | Bob Koopmann | |
| 2011 | 37-59 | 12th | Rich Austin | |
| 2012 | 41-55 | 11th | Rich Austin |
Coaches[edit]
- Spiro Lempesis, 2008-?
Championships and Honors[edit]
- 2004 Frontier League West Division Champions
- 2004 Frontier League Champions
- 2006 Frontier League West Division Champions (lost to Evansville in finals)
RiverHawks Alumni Signed into Organized Baseball[edit]
- Jayson Drobiak- New York Yankees Organization
- Justin Olson- Minnesota Twins Organization
- Justin Dowdy- Seattle Mariners Organization, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Organization
- Jason Shelley- Milwaukee Brewers Organization, Baseball America's 2003 Independent League Player of the Year
- Scott Sobkowiak- Cincinnati Reds Organization
- Rich Austin- Kansas City Royals Organization, 2004 Frontier League Player of the Year
- Derrick Ellison- Seattle Mariners Organization
- Mike Marksbury- Milwaukee Brewers Organization
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