MKE Sports & Entertainment, the group seeking to build a new independent-league ballpark in the Milwaukee suburbs, has signed a deal to manage the Rockford Aviators (independent; Frontier League) in 2015. Mike Zimmerman, who ultimately failed to convince Franklin (Wis.) officials to finance a new ballpark at his Rock Sports Complex for a Frontier League […]
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Rockford Aviators unveil new logos
The newly rebranded Rockford Aviators (independent; Frontier League) unveiled their new logos for the 2013 season. The team’s colors remain navy, orange and Columbia blue. “We received a lot of great feedback last year when we added orange and Columbia blue to the already familiar navy and wanted to keep that look,” said team president […]
New for 2013: Rockford Aviators
The name-the-team contest in Rockford has a winner: the Rockford RiverHawks will now be known as the Rockford Aviators (independent; Frontier League). “This was important to our fans and it showed due to the over 3,000 name entries over the three week period,” said Aviators President Bryan Wickline. “We want to thank each and every […]
The Week That Was: January 6
Personnel moves in Minor League Baseball, broadcast changes in Major League Baseball and a look back at 2012. The top stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Milovich new VP/GM in Myrtle Beach The Year That Was: 2012 Cleveland Indians exit broadcast world, sell SportsTime Ohio to Fox Sports […]
Goodbye RiverHawks; name-the-team contest on in Rockford
The Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) are no more, after Rock River Valley Baseball decided to launch a name-the-team context for 2013. “I cannot stress enough that the professional baseball team will be here for many years to come, and we will continue to be involved and visible in the greater Rockford community,” said Rock […]
Frontier League at 13 teams for 2013
The independent Frontier League will be at 13 teams, plus a travel squad, for 2013, as the circuit releases a schedule for next season. The Frontier League will again consist of 14 total teams with two, seven-team divisions. The East Division consists of the Evansville Otters, Florence Freedom, Frontier Greys (travel team), Lake Erie Crushers, […]
Indy ball back to Marinelli Field?
With RiverHawks Stadium now controlled by an Illinois bank after a bankruptcy auction, Rockford (Ill.) officials are looking at sprucing up Marinelli Field to attract indy ball and youth tournaments. Marinelli Field was the longtime home to pro baseball in Rockford, hosting the likes of the Rockford Reds (Low Class A; Midwest League) before the […]
Baseball on the I-90/I-35 corridor: Changes coming up?
With no new ballpark likely for the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League) and some offseason issues for the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League), we could see changes in the region in upcoming years. It’s no secret that the Snappers have ballpark issues; the condition of Pohlman Field has been a topic in league […]
Bringing the wild back to Wild Things
The Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League) was once a flagship franchise, but new owner Stuart Williams is spending his time trying to bring the team back from a slump at the box office. Washington used to lead the Frontier League in attendance, but these days the team is next-to-last at 1,595 fans a game, behind […]
Olerud adds VP title at P-Nats
Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) General Manager Josh Olerud has been promoted: he’s now vice preident/general manager of the team, as announced by President Lani Silber Weiss. “Josh has just been wonderful in trying to find ways to amplify the in game experience for our fans,” says Silber Weiss. “His management and leadership skills […]
The Week That Was: July 1
Fauxback and sponsored uniforms, new ballparks in El Paso and Hillsboro, and Mother Nature impacting ballparks across the country. The most popular stories on Ballpark Digest, measured by page views. Rays to go retro — before team existed The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford Municipal Stadium / San Jose Giants […]
The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford
This, to the best of our knowledge, is a first: the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) are wearing uniform sponsor logos for every game, in a straight sale of sponsorship rights. We’re not counting auto racing, golf or MLS soccer and don’t want to embark on a discussion of whether these are major sports; for the […]
RiverHawks: Ballpark foreclosure won’t affect season
Even though their home is going through a bank foreclosure, the owners of the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) say their 2012 season will go on. The ballpark was developed by Kurt Carlson, who owned a previous incarnation of the RiverHawks, which played in the independent Frontier and Northern League. Last season a group led […]