Rockford Rox

Minor league baseball began in Rockford, Illinois with the 1871 Rockford Forest Citys. The Forest Citys, also known as the Forest City Club, played in the 1871 National Association, finishing 4–21. This was one of the first professional leagues. Rockford had previously hosted amateur teams with the same name. Rockford played only the 1871 season in the National Association.[2][3]

In 1879, the Rockford White Stockings played in the Northwestern League, where they finished 13–9.[4]

Rockford joined the Central Interstate League in 1888. The team was 11–23 when it disbanded on June 26, 1888.[5]

In 1891, the Rockford Hustlers joined the Illinois-Iowa League. The Hustlers finished 54–47 (3rd) in 1891 and 46–38 (2nd) in 1892. After four teams in the league disbanded during the season, the Illinois-Iowa league folded when the 1892 season concluded.[6][7]

Rockford Forest City (1895–1897) and the Rockford Rough Riders (1899) played in the Western Association. Forest City finished 66-60 (4th), 44–37 (4th) and 70–55(3rd) in their three seasons, disbanding after the 1887 season. Rockford rejoined the league in 1899. The Western Association disbanded on June 16, 1899, with the Rockford Rough Riders in second place at 20–16.[8][9]

The Rockford Red Sox were charter members of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (Three-I) in 1901. Other 1901 charter members were the Bloomington Blues, Cedar Rapids Rabbitts, Davenport River Rats, Decatur Commodores, Evansville River Rats, Rock Island Islanders and Terre Haute Hottentots. After finishing 57–55 (4th) in 1901, the Red Sox won the 1902 Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League Championship with a 74–52 record. After finishing last with a 48–76 record in 1904, Rockford folded after the season, replaced by the Peoria Distillers in the 1905 Three-I League.[10][11]

In 1908, the Rockford Reds joined the Wisconsin-Illinois League. The 1908 Reds were charter members of the Wisconsin-Illinois League, along with the Fond du Lac Cubs, Freeport Pretzels, Green Bay Tigers, LaCrosse Pinks, Madison Senators, Oshkosh Indians and Wausau Lumberjacks. The Rockford Reds (1908– 1910) were renamed the Rockford Wolverines (1911-1913) and Rockford Wolves (1914), while remaining in the Wisconsin-Illinois League. The 1911 Rockford Wolverines captured the Wisconsin-Illinois League Championship with a 74–46 record. The Wisconsin-Illinois League folded after the 1914 season.[12][13]

In 1915, the Rockford Wakes rejoined the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League, where Rockford played in 1915–1917 and 1919–1923. The Wakes finished 72–58, 3rd in 1915 and 67–66, 4th in 1916. The Rockford Rox (1917, 1919–1923) continued play in the "Three-I League" , which did not play in 1918 due to World War I. The Rox finished 2nd in the league in 1917, 1921 and 1923. Rockford folded after the 1923 season.[14][15]

The next professional team in Rockford were the famed Rockford Peaches, who played in the AAGPBL (1943–1954), when the women's league was formed during World War II. The Peaches claimed AAGPL Championships in 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950. The Peaches played in every AAGPL season. They are featured prominently in the fictional film A League of Their Own.[16][17]

In 1947, the Rockford Rox returned minor league baseball to Rockford after a 23–year absence. The 1947 Rockford Rox joined the reformed Central Association, along with the Burlington Indians, Clinton Cubs, Hannibal Pilots, Keokuk Pirates and Moline A's. The Rockford Rox were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds (1947–1949). The Rox finished 3rd, 5th and 6th in their three seasons. The Central Association folded after the 1949 season.[18][15]

After a 29–season absence, minor league baseball returned to Rockford, when the 1988 Rockford Expos began play as members of the Midwest League.

The 1871 Rockford Forest Citys played at the Agricultural Society Fair Grounds.[19] The ballpark had no outfield fences, only trees that surrounded the park. It was located at Kilburn Avenue & Mulberry Street, Rockford, Illinois.[20]

In 1879, Rockford played at Fairgrounds Park. [per local newspapers]

The various Rockford clubs of the 1880s and 1890s played at several parks that are difficult to locate precisely.

By 1901, they were playing at Rierside Park, which was outside the city limits to the north.

In 1913, the club abandoned Riverside Park and moved to Kishwaukee Park. Also known as "Rockford Base Ball Park", Kishwaukee Park was located at 15th Avenue and Seminary Street in Rockford. This site would later be developed as Beyer Stadium. [per city directories and local newspapers] Some sources give an erroneous location.[21]

In 1947–1949, the Rockford Rox played at Rox Park a.k.a. 15th Avenue Park, which was just east of and adjacent to the main Beyer Stadium, the home of the Rockford Peaches. [per local newspapers] Some sources say they played within Blackhawk Park, but the newspapers contradict that claim.[22][23]