What's been happening

Now that the basketball season has basically ended for area teams, I've finally had some time to dedicate to this blog. Here's what's been happening around the Frontier League in recent weeks:

(insert sound of crickets chirping).

Though this is generally the quiet time in the Frontier League -- the calm before the signings flurry in April -- but there have been a couple of things going on that have not been mentioned on this blog:

* The Rockford franchise has changed its name to the Rockford Aviators. I liked the Riverhawks nickname so my reaction to Aviators was .... ehhh. You probably can't do much marketing with the nickname Aviators. And what do you have for a mascot?

I guess Aviators could be worse. They could have renamed the team the London Rippers.

It appears that Rockford's uniforms will include some orange. Here's an idea: Rockford's players should wear orange hats. That way, the team can have Lowell Mather Night and bring in Thomas Haden Church to throw out the first pitch (I know, cheap "Wings" reference.).

At least Rockford didn't change the team colors to red & black, which seems to be the official color scheme of all Frontier League teams, expect the Wild Things, who should be wearing red & black. I never understood why there is an oversized red & black "Wild Things" logo behind home plate at Consol Energy Park but the team is wearing blue hats and socks.

* The Greys, the Frontier League's travel team that will play in the East Division, will hold spring training in Chillicothe, Ohio.

* Because of the league adding the Greys and losing the Rippers, the number of miles teams will be logging on the bus this year will be down significantly. This will be the subject of a future blog post.

* Former Wild Things first baseman Ernie Banks has been released by Normal.

* Though still listed as a minor league free agent by Baseball America, former Wild Things pitcher Tom Cochran has re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Cochran was was 9-5 with a 3.96 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) with Class AAA Lehigh Valley last year.