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.
