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Rockford Rivets

Rockford Rivets
Information
LeagueNorthwoods League (Great Lakes East 2019-pres)
(South Division 2016-2018)
LocationLoves Park, Illinois
BallparkRivets Stadium
Founded2015
League championships0
Division championships0
ColorsBlack, Gold, Silver
Ownership
  • David Casey
  • Todd Kolosso
ManagementPresident: Steve Malliet[1]
ManagerVincent Tornincasa
WebsiteRockfordRivets.com

The Rockford Rivets are a baseball team in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The league's only team based in Illinois, their home games are played at Rivets Stadium in Loves Park.

History

Following the demise of the Frontier League's Rockford Aviators, their ballpark was put on the market. On October 14, 2015, the Northwoods League officially announced that Rockford Baseball Properties, LLC (composed of league president Dick Radatz, Jr. and Chad Bauer) had purchased the ballpark and would field a team in the league to begin play in the 2016 season. The team would be a member of the South Division, with the La Crosse Loggers moving to the North Division (taking the place of the recently folded Alexandria Blue Anchors).[2][3]

On November 18, the team announced that Northern Illinois Huskies baseball and Madison Mallards alumnus Brian Smith would serve as the team's first manager.[4]

Finally, on February 11, the Rivets name, logo and colors were officially announced.[5][6]

Seasons

Season Record Win % Finish Manager Playoffs
2016 33-39 .458 6th in South Brian Smith Did not qualify
2017 39-33 .541 3rd in South Brian Smith Lost in quarter-finals (0-1) to Battle Creek Bombers
2018 28-43 .338 9th in South Brian Smith Did not qualify
2019 33-39 .458 4th in Great Lakes East Josh Keim Did not qualify
2020* 16-27 .372 3rd in WI-IL East Josh Keim No playoffs due to COVID
2021 29-42 .408 4th in Great Lakes East JT Scarra Did not qualify
2022 37-35 .514 2nd in Great Lakes East JT Scarra Did not qualify
2023 45-27 .625 2nd in Great Lakes East Vincent Tornincasa Did not qualify

Rivets in the Pros

Name Highest Level Team Professional Organization Years with Rivets
Hunter Hargrove Stockton Ports Oakland Athletics (A Advanced) 2016
Hunter Steinmetz Dunedin Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays (A Advanced) 2016
Kacey Murphy West Michigan Whitecaps Detroit Tigers (A) 2016
Michael Smith Bowling Green Hot Rods Tampa Bay Rays (A) 2016
Eric Cole Lexington Legends Kansas City Royals (A) 2017
Hunter Fedducia Great Lakes Loons Los Angeles Dodgers (A) 2017
Zach Rheams Columbia Fireflies New York Mets (A) 2017
Bren Spillane Dayton Dragons Cincinnati Reds (A) 2017
Michael Mateja Rome Braves Atlanta Braves (A) 2018
Jesse Wilkening Williamsport Crosscutters Philadelphia Phillies (A Short-Season) 2016
David Cronin Great Falls Voyagers Chicago White Sox (rookie) 2016
Jordan Wicks Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs (MLB) 2020

References

  1. ^ Haas, Kevin (15 December 2022). "New Rockford Rivets Owners, Team President Plan To Fill The Stadium With Constant Entertainment". Rock River Current.
  2. ^ "Northwoods League Introduces New Team in Rockford, IL". Northwoods League. October 14, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  3. ^ Taft, Jay (October 13, 2015). "Rockford baseball: Aviators out, Northwoods League team in". RRStar.com. Rockford Register-Star. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  4. ^ Trowbridge, Matt (November 18, 2015). "Former NIU star Brian Smith 1st manager for Rockford's Northwoods League team". RRStar.com. Rockford Register-Star. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  5. ^ "Rockford's new team introduces Rivets nickname". Northwoods League. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  6. ^ Trowbridge, Matt (February 11, 2016). "Rockford Rivets unveil name, logo of new baseball team". RRStar.com. Rockford Register-Star. Retrieved February 11, 2016.

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