Other Sports | The Baseball Zealot

Illinois Marathon has everyone running

There was no college baseball in town this weekend but there was the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, becoming quite the event these days.

Over 18,000 participated in the marathon, half-marathon, 10K or the 5K on Friday and Saturday. These photos are mostly from the marathon (there are a lot more here) at around the 12 mile mark.

By the way, that’s the eventual first place finisher among the women on the right Lauren Kromrey (#27).

A few more photos:

You can find the results of the all the races this weekend here.

Wildcat Lacrosse team edges ‘05 White Sox for “Team of the Decade” in online poll

Some things are apparently more important than baseball. Like college lacrosse.

In a “Team of the Decade” online poll hosted by the Chicago Tribune, the Northwestern women’s lacrosse team soundly defeated the 2005 World Series winner Chicago White Sox.

For those who don’t follow the sport (no, I don’t either), the Wildcat lacrosse team has won five of the last national Division I titles. I guess they are that good.

They won with 57 percent of the vote in the poll compared to the White Sox’ 36 percent. Rumor has it there was a little “ballot-stuffing” by fans of the lacrosse team.

"Our fans wanted it bad, I guess," (lacrosse Coach) Amonte Hiller said with a laugh.

It’s tempting to take a jab at the Sox for losing out to a bunch of girls but a) those “girls” worked hard and really deserved it b) the 2003 Cubs barely got 1% in the poll and most importantly, c) it just a stupid poll.

Cricket match on the U of I campus

On my way back from Illini baseball’s Orange and Blue game on Saturday, I was treated to a cricket match on the University of Illinois campus. Seeing as I already had my camera with me, I snapped some photos.

In the past, I’ve watched these guys practice on my way home from work on Fridays. THIS, I gather, is what they’re practicing for.

I know next to nothing about the game of cricket but I do enjoy watching the bowler in action as he bowls the ball toward the batsman. Unlike baseball, HE gets a running start.

A cricket player rests a rest as the teams took a break to let two elderly walk through the sidewalk the players were playing on.

Everything is Rosy around here

I don’t want too much time to pass before I congratulate the University of Illinois football team on being chosen to play at the Rose Bowl.

I’ll admit it, I’m not a huge college football fan. I jokingly tell my friends who know about my interests in baseball that the only reason I follow Illinois football is to make sure that wide receiver Kyle Hudson who ALSO plays centerfield for the Illinois baseball team doesn’t get hurt. That said, you can’t work and live in this town without having some attachment to the team.

The day after the announcement was made, there was quite a hub-hub around the U of I campus. There was a lot of talk about "are you getting tickets?" and the like. There was even a photo of linebacker J Leman, who hails from Champaign by the way, in the local paper with a rose in his hair.

The last time the Illini went to the Rose Bowl, I was in college. We sorta got crushed by UCLA 45-9 that time.

I think we’ll do much better this time.

Go Illini!!

Photos of the UI Women’s BB team in action

Uof I’s first year Coach Jolette Law

Yesterday, my daughter and I went to see the University of Illinois Women’s Basketball team with their new coach Jolette Law. They were playing the Salukis of Southern Illinois.

Things were a bit shaky at first for both teams with no points scored almost into the the two minute mark. The Salukis got off to a 8-3 and 11-5 lead. But that’s when the Illini took charge and went on a 20-2 run and never looked back. The Salukis did play respectable in the second half but the writing was on the wall. Final score: Illinois 63 Southern Illinois 53

Jenna Smith dominated with 32 points and 10 rebounds

No doubt who the player of the game was. Jenna Smith, last week’s Big Ten Player of the Week, has a good chance of keeping that title. She dominated the game with 32 of the Illini’s 63 points with 10 boards.

More of my photos of Sunday’s game at The Baseball Zealot Photo Gallery (cool pics of cheerleaders doing their thang, too)

Friday afternoon cricket

Every Friday when leave the building I work, I’m treated to a display of the the game of cricket.. The large grassy area outside the building may have as many as six or seven cricket games going on at a time. There’s something about it that makes me feel good. I think it’s just great that so many people are playing a game with little or no fanfare but obviously with a lot of devotion.

The young men shown here were nice enough to let me snap a few photos.

I spoke to one them who was playing. He says that on Fridays they are actually practicing for a match that is held on Saturday. This happens pretty much every weekend. From the looks of it, most of the participants, are Indian students (I could be wrong).

I know next to nothing about the game of Cricket but it is fascinating to watch. I love watching the guy who throws the ball (I’m sure there’s a more proper term for him but that will have to do). Unlike baseball, he gets a running start when he unloads. Wow, that’s fun to watch!

More photos are here. For those in the C-U area who want to check out a cricket match, they have matches every Saturday at 1:30 near Mumford Hall.

When you can tell it’s college football time

This was the scene outside the building I work at this afternoon. The Fighting Illini Marching Band (complete with flag girls and cheerleaders) has been practicing out there for there for the last two weeks.

They have improved greatly since they started, I can tell you. Just in time for the home game tomorrow.

In related news, Illinois avoided ESPN’s bottom 10 list.

Just barely. They did make the Waiting List.