University of Illinois Baseball | The Baseball Zealot

Sunday’s Game 3 of Illini’s Orange and Blue Series

On Sunday, my son and I went to Illinois Field to watch the Illini play Game 3 of their Orange and Blue Series.

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Coach Hartleb (right) takes the field before the game.

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Scott Shaw pitches for the Orange team. In 2006, Scott was practically unhittable when he was on his game.

Freshman John Schlichter hit one out on Sunday. The reward for hitting a homer is the task of retrieving the ball.

This series is the first chance I’ve had to see freshman catcher Aaron Johnson in action.

I have many more photos here at The Baseball Zealot photo gallery.

Also, the Fighting Illini site has a wrapup from Friday’s game. There will be two more games next weekend.

Beer not a minor point with investors

There’s been an interesting but probably not surprising development in the case to bring a minor league team to Champaign-Urbana. Among other points, investors are saying that the sale of beer would be critical to the financial success of the team. From the AP artcle via WBBM: “It is a critical piece,” (National Sports Services’ … Continue reading “Beer not a minor point with investors”

There’s been an interesting but probably not surprising development in the case to bring a minor league team to Champaign-Urbana.

beer

Among other points, investors are saying that the sale of beer would be critical to the financial success of the team.

From the AP artcle via WBBM:

“It is a critical piece,” (National Sports Services’ Matt) Perry said. “It could be a deal breaker if we can’t.”

Sponsorships to sell beer in stadiums are a key revenue source for sports teams, Perry said, but also a big part of what fans expect to find in pro baseball stadiums.

Since Illinois Field is on University of Illinois property and we all know absolutely no drinking goes on anywhere at a Big Ten university, the team would have go through all kinds of red tape including getting the Board of Trustees approval.

Another pro team, the Champaign County Colts played at Illinois Field from 1990-96. It was a dry stadium then and rumor has it that it hurt them financially.

I’m not a beer drinker but i have friends who are baseball fans who do. Time to evaluate the reasons why you have the policy (realistically). If it’s because of youth and alcohol problems, there are plenty of other areas you can start.

This isn’t an issue I’ll fight to the death on but if it means bringing a minor league team to C-U and improving Illinois Field in the process, then bend the rules or change them.

Illini’s Orange and Blue Series

Ben Reeser coming off a lights-out summer, started for the Orange team.

I stopped by the first game of University of Illinois’ Orange and Blue series. Stop by The Baseball Zealot photo gallery and see the photos I took.

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2B Ryan Hastings takes third on a fly ball.

If you want to see the Illini in action and couldn’t make it today, don’t worry. There are four more intra-squad games planned. Here is the full schedule:

Sept 28 – 4pm

Sept 29 – 10am

Sept 30 – 10am

Oct 5 – 4pm

Oct 6 – TBA

By the way, they’ve come out with another Fall Diamond Notes, once again with team manager Michael Schroeder.

Minor League Baseball coming to Champaign-Urbana??

Big news in the local sports section today… a group is in negotiations with the University of Illinois to get the use of Illinois Field for a minor league team. Very exciting news, indeed. From the News-Gazette: “We’re always interested in looking for new markets for a professional baseball franchise,” Matt Perry, chief executive officer … Continue reading “Minor League Baseball coming to Champaign-Urbana??”

Big news in the local sports section today… a group is in negotiations with the University of Illinois to get the use of Illinois Field for a minor league team. Very exciting news, indeed.

From the News-Gazette:

“We’re always interested in looking for new markets for a professional baseball franchise,” Matt Perry, chief executive officer of Denver-based National Sports Services, said Monday. “We did some preliminary analysis of Champaign County and thought the demographics and business base could support a team.”

The league in question is the Frontier League which is an independent league. If that name sounds familiar, it should. At least three Illini players played in the FL in 2007.

A side benefit of this exciting news is that Illinois Field would get a facelift. Perry’s group is working with architects on preliminary designs.

Perry said the vision for the renovation would include a new seating bowl with seating capacity of 3,000 to 4,000; group suites; administrative office space; a new clubhouse or expansion of the current one; hospitality areas; additional restrooms; new ticket windows and additional food and concessions facilities; and a kids play area.

In related news, a week ago, a read a similar article about a group investigating the possibility of a minor league team in Normal, Illinois. Near as I can tell, the group was an internal one so I wonder how that impacts their plans.

Illini Orange and Blue Series

The schedule for Illini’s Orange and Blue series has mostly been set. Sept 28 – 4pm Sept 29 – 10am Sept 30 – 10am Oct 5 – 4pm Oct 6 – TBA This split squad series is a good chance to see the Illinois team in action! In other Illini news, I had already reported … Continue reading “Illini Orange and Blue Series”

The schedule for Illini’s Orange and Blue series has mostly been set.

Sept 28 – 4pm

Sept 29 – 10am

Sept 30 – 10am

Oct 5 – 4pm

Oct 6 – TBA

This split squad series is a good chance to see the Illinois team in action!

In other Illini news, I had already reported on Joey Bonadonna’s Rawlings Silver Glove award in the Northwoods League. Also in the NWL, Brandon Wikoff was named the Number 24 professional prospect as he played for the Madison Mallards.

Congrats to both!

Bonadonna wins Northwoods League Silver Glove

Congrats are in order for University of Illinois’ Joe Bonadonna. He was awarded the Rawlings Silver Glove for his play at second base while playing second base for the Duluth Huskies in the Northwoods League. In addition to his fine work with the glove, Bonadonna broke the league record with an incredible 75 stolen bases. … Continue reading “Bonadonna wins Northwoods League Silver Glove”

In addition to his fine work with the glove, Bonadonna broke the league record with an incredible 75 stolen bases.

Great work, Joe!

Illini Baseball continuing Diamond Notes updates

Throughout the summer the Illini baseball program has been keeping us informed of what’s was happening in the player’s own words with Summer Diamond Notes. I found them very useful and entertaining. Now it turns out they will continue the series with Fall Diamond Notes. Presumably, they will detail how things are going in fall … Continue reading “Illini Baseball continuing Diamond Notes updates”

Now it turns out they will continue the series with Fall Diamond Notes. Presumably, they will detail how things are going in fall practice and the upcoming Orange and Blue series.

Fall Diamond Notes #1 starts out with the Illini team manager Michael Schroeder and his take on the first few weeks of practice. You can read Michael’s write-up on the Fighting Illini’s website.

Mark your calendar for the week of September 24. That is the week of the Orange and Blue Series. I attended last year and it’s a good chance to get your Illini baseball fix and get a preview of the 2008 team.

Back to work for the Illini

Monday was the first day of practice for the University of Illinois baseball team, I showed up to watch and take a few photos.

Thanks to Coach Hartleb and the staff for the privilege. I was the only non-team member there so I felt like I had quite an exclusive.

Here’s my first look at Aaron Johnson. He’s an incoming freshman catcher. He’s known for being the third Illini catcher from Canada in four years. More info about Johnson

Coach Hartleb feeding the pitching machine. When I got there, they were going through fundamentals drills… bunting, baserunning…

… and playing catch.

After a while, they got up a mock game going to work on the glove skills.

Here’s Assistant Coach Eric Snider hitting fungoes for some infield practice. By the way, if you haven’t seen Snider’s bio, you should. He already has quite a legacy for the baseball program at Illinois including having a hand in recruiting 14 eventual pro ballplayers.

I took a whole lot more photos today. Check them out. I also have past photos of the Illini baseball team.

It was a fine day to see some baseball even if was practice. Thanks, guys!

Reeser, Stockwell win Summer Honors; Fall Practice Begins

In their respective collegiate summer leagues, Illini players Ben Reeser and Nick Stockwell won post season awards before heading back to the University of Illinois for classes. Reeser was dubbed Coastal Plain League Defensive Player of the Year after winning a Fayetteville Swampdog team record 8 games with a 1.61 ERA. Stockwell ended the summer … Continue reading “Reeser, Stockwell win Summer Honors; Fall Practice Begins”

In their respective collegiate summer leagues, Illini players Ben Reeser and Nick Stockwell won post season awards before heading back to the University of Illinois for classes.

Reeser was dubbed Coastal Plain League Defensive Player of the Year after winning a Fayetteville Swampdog team record 8 games with a 1.61 ERA.

Stockwell ended the summer season well. His Lombard Orioles won the Chicago Suburban Baseball League World Series and he was the Most Valuable Player of the series.

Back to School

Well, classes have started at the U of I and that can only mean one thing… Fall practice for the baseball team. They will begin drills next week,

Also, the dates for the Orange and Blue series have been set. Mark your calendar for the week of September 24.

Former Illini Basak heads to the Twins organization

Chris Basak, an Illini product, was acquired by the off waivers by the Twins from the Yankees. Basak has spent most of his time at Scranton-Wilkes Barre but did see 5 major league games for the Yanks. /thanks to Teddy Ballgame for the tip

Chris Basak, an Illini product, was acquired by the off waivers by the Twins from the Yankees.

Basak has spent most of his time at Scranton-Wilkes Barre but did see 5 major league games for the Yanks.

/thanks to Teddy Ballgame for the tip