Rockford Aviators

Rockford Aviators
Founded in 2013 Loves Park, Illinois
Team logo
League affiliations
Frontier League (1993-2008, 2011-present) West
Name
Rockford Aviators (2013-present) Rockford RiverHawks (2011-2012) Chillicothe Paints (1993-2008)
Team Colors
Navy blue, Columbia blue, orange, silver, white
Ballpark
Aviators Stadium (2006-present)
Championships
League titles: 0 Division titles: 6 (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006)
Owner(s)/Operated By: Rock River Valley Baseball LLC
General Manager: Brad Sholes
Manager: Rich Austin
Media: Rockford Register Star
Website: rockfordaviators.com

The Rockford Aviators are a professional baseball team based in the Rockford, Illinois, suburb of Loves Park, in the United States. Currently, the Aviators are a member of the Frontier League. The franchise operated from 1993-2008 as the Chillicothe Paints, an original member of the Frontier League. After not playing in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, the franchise was moved to Loves Park and operated as the Rockford RiverHawks in 2011 and 2012. The team was renamed the Aviators on Jan. 27, 2013. In 2006, the RiverHawks moved into their current 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.

The Rockford Aviators (including years as the Chillicothe Paints) have been to six league championship series, but have yet to win a Frontier League Championship.

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 24 Nick Anderson 21 Nick Cicio 17 Jordan Cudney 15 Jon Gulbransen 30 Garrett Granitz  6 Seafth Howe  7 Trevor Harden 25 Jake Nicholson 12 Nathan O'Bryan  2 Drew Rucinski 19 Derrick Stultz ‡ -- Darrin Tew ‡ 11 Josh Schneider 27 Kelley Wagner		Catchers 14 Eric Bainer 18 Greg Van Horn Infielders 28 Kenny Bryant  4 Evan Button  8 Ray Delvalle 22 Matt Greener  5 Ray Hernandez 26 Nash Hutter 13 Carlos Luciano ‡  1 Ted Obregon Outfielders 23 Jeremy Boyd  9 Michael Hur 20 Chase Larsson ‡ 29 Alvaro Ramirez		Manager Rich Austin Coaches Patrick O'Sullivan (Hitting) Dan Grybash (Pitching) Justin Small (Assistant Coach) Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list Roster updated 5-16-2013 Transactions

Official websites

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