Grand Prairie AirHogs
Encyclopedia
The Grand Prairie AirHogs are a professional baseball team based in Grand Prairie, Texas
, in the United States
. The AirHogs are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball (of which they are the current defending champions), which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. Beginning in the 2008 season, the AirHogs have played their home games at QuikTrip Park.
The name "AirHogs" is a slang term used by U.S. military pilots, and refers to the city's aviation industry (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
is headquartered in Grand Prairie, and Vought Corporation has a major plant just next to the city, though the plant is technically in Dallas).
On October 22, 2007, the AirHogs named former Major Leaguer, Pete Incaviglia
, as the first manager.
, losing the contest 10-3. Their first win in team history was captured on May 15 at Shreveport, beating the Sports
2-1. Starting pitcher Scot Drucker was the winning pitcher while right-hander James Morrison picked up the save.
The first home game ever played by the AirHogs ended on a sour note as they were defeated 4-2 by the Wichita Wingnuts
on May 16.
On July 25, Scot Drucker's contract was purchased by the Detroit Tigers
. He will play for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves
in the Eastern League. Drucker ends his AirHogs career with an 8-3 record in 15 starts to go along with an ERA
of 2.41. That was the second best mark in the league at the time of this transaction. Scot is the first ever Grand Prairie player to be signed by a team affiliated to a Major League club.
On July 28, Starting pitcher Kieran Mattison's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers
. He will be sent to the Dodgers Double-A team, the Jacksonville Suns
in the Southern League
. Mattison's final stats as an AirHogs player reads, a 9-2 record in 14 starts with the third best ERA in the league (2.42). His 9 wins tied him for second in the league as well.
The AirHogs finished the 2009 Spring Training pre-season with a final undefeated record of 4-0, Sweeping the Fort Worth Cats
at La Grave Field and the Sioux City Explorers
at Home.
The AirHogs 2009 Season started on the road in Fort Worth on Thursday, May 14 against the cross-town rival Fort Worth Cats
. The 2009 Season Home Opener will take place on Friday, May 22 against the Pensacola Pelicans
.
.
The All Star Game itself was held on Tuesday, July 21, 2009- with Gates Opening at 3 p.m. in time to allow fans to witness both the North and South division teams have batting practice before the Home Run Derby set at 5:30 p.m.
The Pre-Game ceremonies began at 7 p.m. and the First Pitch was thrown by 7:30 p.m.
Grand Prairie, Texas
Grand Prairie is a city in Dallas, Ellis, and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas and is a part of the Mid-Cities region in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Grand Prairie is a suburb of both Dallas and Fort Worth and had a population of 175,396 at the 2010 census.- History :The city of...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The AirHogs are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball (of which they are the current defending champions), which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Beginning in the 2008 season, the AirHogs have played their home games at QuikTrip Park.
The name "AirHogs" is a slang term used by U.S. military pilots, and refers to the city's aviation industry (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control is a Lockheed Martin business unit based in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie, Texas. The unit's offensive and defensive arsenal includes air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, naval rockets and missiles, fire control and sensor systems, fire support...
is headquartered in Grand Prairie, and Vought Corporation has a major plant just next to the city, though the plant is technically in Dallas).
On October 22, 2007, the AirHogs named former Major Leaguer, Pete Incaviglia
Pete Incaviglia
Peter "Inky" Joseph Incaviglia is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was drafted in the 1st round by the Montreal Expos in the 1985 amateur draft out of Oklahoma State University, but was traded later the same year to the Texas Rangers...
, as the first manager.
2008 season
The AirHogs played their first game in franchise history on May 8 against the St. Paul SaintsSt. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, losing the contest 10-3. Their first win in team history was captured on May 15 at Shreveport, beating the Sports
Shreveport Sports
The Shreveport-Bossier Captains are a professional baseball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the United States. The Captains are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
2-1. Starting pitcher Scot Drucker was the winning pitcher while right-hander James Morrison picked up the save.
The first home game ever played by the AirHogs ended on a sour note as they were defeated 4-2 by the Wichita Wingnuts
Wichita Wingnuts
The Wichita Wingnuts are a professional baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas, in the United States. The Wingnuts are a member of the Central Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.An expansion franchise in the...
on May 16.
On July 25, Scot Drucker's contract was purchased by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He will play for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
in the Eastern League. Drucker ends his AirHogs career with an 8-3 record in 15 starts to go along with an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 2.41. That was the second best mark in the league at the time of this transaction. Scot is the first ever Grand Prairie player to be signed by a team affiliated to a Major League club.
On July 28, Starting pitcher Kieran Mattison's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. He will be sent to the Dodgers Double-A team, the Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
in the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. Mattison's final stats as an AirHogs player reads, a 9-2 record in 14 starts with the third best ERA in the league (2.42). His 9 wins tied him for second in the league as well.
2009 season
The 2009 Season will see the AirHogs defending the South Division Title earned in their inaugural season, as well as playing host to the 2009 American Association All-Star Game.The AirHogs finished the 2009 Spring Training pre-season with a final undefeated record of 4-0, Sweeping the Fort Worth Cats
Fort Worth Cats
The Fort Worth Cats are a professional baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. The Cats are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season the Cats...
at La Grave Field and the Sioux City Explorers
Sioux City Explorers
The Sioux City Explorers are a professional baseball team based in Sioux City, Iowa, in the United States. The Explorers are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.They were originally to be...
at Home.
The AirHogs 2009 Season started on the road in Fort Worth on Thursday, May 14 against the cross-town rival Fort Worth Cats
Fort Worth Cats
The Fort Worth Cats are a professional baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. The Cats are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season the Cats...
. The 2009 Season Home Opener will take place on Friday, May 22 against the Pensacola Pelicans
Pensacola Pelicans
The Pensacola Pelicans were a minor league baseball team based in Pensacola, Florida. In various incarnations, they played in three different independent baseball leagues from 2002–2010...
.
2009 All-Star Game
The Grand Prairie AirHogs played host to the 2009 American Association All-Star Game at their home field, Quik Trip Park, on July 21, 2009. The All-Star festivities began on Monday, July 20, 2009 with a banquet for the North and South division All-Stars, held in the locker room of the Dallas Cowboys in ArlingtonArlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
.
The All Star Game itself was held on Tuesday, July 21, 2009- with Gates Opening at 3 p.m. in time to allow fans to witness both the North and South division teams have batting practice before the Home Run Derby set at 5:30 p.m.
The Pre-Game ceremonies began at 7 p.m. and the First Pitch was thrown by 7:30 p.m.
Year-by-year
| Year | League | Record W\L |
Pct | Finish | Playoffs | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | American Association of Independent Professional Baseball | 56-40 | .622 | 2nd | Won South Division/ Lost in Finals to Sioux Falls Canaries | 3,056 |
| 2009 | American Association of Independent Professional Baseball | 48-48 | .500 | T-3rd | - | 3,003 |
| 2010 | American Association of Independent Professional Baseball | 43-52 | .453 | 3rd | - | 2,707 |
| 2011 | American Association of Independent Professional Baseball | 64-36 | .640 | 1st | Won South Division/ Won Finals over St. Paul Saints St. Paul Saints The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball... |
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