Category: University of Illinois Baseball

Roark (right) will be sitting out 2008

Some bad news for the Illini baseball team. Tanner Roark, who led the team in wins last year, won’t be playing this spring because of “academic reasons”.

Roark was integral in last year’s season for Illinois. He was a second team All Big Ten selection and led (or tied) the team in wins, strikeouts, games started, and innings pitched.

This is obviously a tough blow for the team and I suppose, it isn’t easy for Roark either. The Illinois baseball team is known for paying attention to the academics. Last year, Ryan Hastings and Ryan Snowden were named to ESPN Magazine’s Academic All-District team.

Coach Hartleb did his best to put a positive spin on the situation. In an interview with the Big Ten Network, Hartleb said, “It is an unfortunate situation. But we have a number of talented, experienced pitchers who will be able to step up for us this season.”

(hat tip to Big Ten Hardball)

At long last, Illinois Field is beginning to look like a ballpark once again. 

The last few days, crews have been installing the “Field Turf” at the home of the University of Illinois ballclub, giving the field the bright green look. There was even a photo and writeup in the News Gazette, the local paper.

I admit it’s taken me a bit to get used to the idea to an artificial surface on Illinois Field.  But after discussing it with some in the baseball program I’m growing accustomed to the idea and I’ve also learned the field was getting in bad shape so SOMETHING had to be done. 

Sometime next week I’ll head over there and snap my own photos.  In the meantime, you can view the baseball program’s photo gallery of Field Turf installation. 

The photos from the last week show the turf actually being rolled out.  Cold work for the crews to be sure as it has been no higher than 35 all week. 

Asst. Coach Eric Snider plays an important part in Illinois’ recruiting process

It was announced yesterday that four prep stars signed letters of intent to play for the University of Illinois baseball team. 

No doubt it was a long process and Coach Dan Hartleb and his staff have been working hard to this end. Assistant Coaches Eric Snider and Ken Westray (who even spent some time in the Phillies organization in player development) are a crack team when it comes to recruitment.

“I am extremely excited about the entire signing class because I feel like we have brought in four outstanding athletes,” Hartleb said. “All four have played at a high level in their careers and have been involved in championship programs. The group includes some of the top baseball players and athletes in the state of Illinois, and they will be able to contribute early in their collegiate careers. They also will have the opportunity to help make us a championship program during their careers.”

Here are the players they got:

• Adam Davis, C, Driscoll Catholic HS, Bloomingdale, Ill.
• Corey Kimes, LHP, Ottawa HS , Ottawa, Ill.
• Josh Parr, SS, Illinois Valley Central HS, Chillicothe, Ill.
• Bryan Roberts, RHP, Benet Academy,  Lisle, Ill.

Kimes is a lefty, Roberts is a righty. I found a scouting report on Kimes at Perfect Game USA, FWIW.  The word on him is that he is a big kid that really brings it (fast ball velocity upwards of 86mph).  More than that, he knows how to work the hitters.  He can also play first and the outfield.

You can read bios of all four players at the Fighting Illini website. 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2008 schedule for the University of Illinois baseball team has been finalized.

As for the non-conference part, some of the usual suspects are on there.  The Illini will be playing in the Al Ogletree Classic to begin the season February 22. 

Some of the new teams on the schedule include Central Connecticut and Northern Iowa and Kansas. 

Fighting Illini website has a wrap up.  While you’re there, take some time to admire the renovation they’ve done on their web site.  Nice job!

Here is link to the actual schedule. 

Only four months to go!!

 

Now with the Orange and Blue series over and done with, construction is underway for installation of Field Turf. 

The Fighting Illini website has photos. 

 

I don’t want too much time to go by without giving the University of Illinois football team their due.  They defeated #5 Wisconsin this past Saturday 31-26. 

There have been some lean years in Illini football lately though last year, there was no doubt it was an exciting team to watch. 

The profesors in my department had a $1 pool at the beginning of the season.  One person whether being optimistic or just being funny, picked Illinois to go 13-0.  At the time, we all had a laugh.  “That Joe, what a joker.”

Of course, Illinois has already had one loss (versus Missouri).  But maybe joker Joe wasn’t so far off. 

 

The two lives of Kyle Hudson

Juice Williams, J Leman, and Rashard Mendenhall are the big stars but keep an eye on Kyle Hudson.  I think of him of as the starting center fielder of the Illini baseball team but he’s a great wide receiver and punt returner for the football team, too.  Kyle led the team in receptions the past two years.

I met Kyle’s mom at the Big Ten Tournament earlier this year.  She told me how proud she was of her son.  She told me of Kyle’s busy schedule having to juggle football practice and the baseball season.  On top of that, she tells me he does well in school.

Go Illini!