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 by Chris Hanners and Bryan Wickline moved their Frontier League membership into the Loves Park ballpark, leasing it from Carlson. The ballpark, previously known as Road Ranger Stadium under a naming-rights deal, is in foreclosure, as the financial issues that dogged the prior ownership (causing it to take on the Wickline group as a tenant) continue.
“This foreclosure has nothing to do with the baseball franchise,” Wickline said. “This is between the bank and the ownership of the stadium. The RiverHawks have a multi-year lease. We’ll be working with the bank or with a new entity. Our group is rebuilding relationships and continuously improving on our current support base. I hope our businesses and fans give us a chance to show them how enjoyable professional baseball can be in the Stateline area. We are confident they will want to come back time and time again,” Wickline said.
“We’re moving full steam ahead toward the start of the new season and Opening Day on May 25,” Wickline said. “Within a month, a new logo will be released, a new website will be launched and a promotional calendar will be announced.”
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