2010 Pre-Season NAIA Baseball Conference Rankings

The 2010 Pre-Season conference favorites McKendree University in Lebanon Illinois along with Saint Xavier University in Chicago Illinois have been picked to win their respective conferences according to the NAIA pre-season baseball poll. 

Predicted finish for each conference is listed below:

American Midwest Conference

1. McKendree University (Ill.) (15-4-1 / 37-21-2)
2. Park University (Mo.) (15-5 / 34-12)
3. William Woods University (Mo.) (13-7 / 34-15)
4. Missouri Baptist University (10-7-1 / 24-20-1)
5. Hannibal-LaGrange College (Mo.) (9-9 / 21-27)
6. Harris-Stowe State University (Mo.) (6-12 / 22-22)
7. Williams Baptist College (Ark.) (2-16 / 10-37)


Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference

1. Saint Xavier University (Ill.) (25-5 / 41-15)
2. University of St. Francis (Ill.) (19-11 / 33-18)
3. Judson University (Ill.) (20-10 / 30-22)
4. Purdue University-North Central (Ind.) (21-9 / 31-24)
5. Robert Morris University (Ill.) (14-16 / 34-19)
6. Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) (17-13 / 29-20)
7. Illinois Institute of Technology (18-12 / 24-23)
8. Trinity International University (Ill.) (10-20 / 18-28)
9. Trinity Christian College (Ill.) (7-23 / 12-30)
10. Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) (9-21 / 10-37)
11. Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.) (5-25 / 9-46)

Cales wins MiLBY Class A Advanced Reliever of the Year

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, in the shadow of Comiskey Park, David Cales admits he was a White Sox fan growing up. When he was taken in the 24th round of the 2008 Draft by that other team in the Windy City, he quickly learned how to adjust.


It was in the Cubs system that he went 3-0 with a 0.78 ERA and 14 saves in 37 games for Daytona in the Florida State League, numbers that made him the choice for a MiLBY as the Class A Advanced Reliever of the Year.

"As I became older, I loved Chicago sports all together," Cales said. "It's an honor to play for the city of Chicago, even in the Minors. I couldn't be happier playing for the Cubs. I'm just a Chicago fan. It's an absolute privilege playing for a Chicago team."

In his first summer as a pro, Cales split time between the rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League, so he was a little surprised when he made the leap right up to Class A Advanced Daytona to start this season. He nearly fell over when he got nudged up to Double-A in May, even though that didn't go so well. But he earned his way back up there, and even got a one-appearance taste of Triple-A, late in the season.

"It was a shock to go up to Double-A," Cales admitted. "Then to give me another chance at the end of the year, I don't think I could've asked for anything better. I didn't believe much of it was happening because it was happening so fast."

Cales was drafted in the 24th round by the Chicago Cubs in the June 2008 amateur draft.  David attended Mt Carmel High School in Illinois, the University of Missouri in 2006, UIC in 2007,  St Xavier in 2008 and Mt. Carmel High School in Illinois. 

Gillespie Receives Distinguished Service Award

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

DAPHNE, Ala. - Gordie Gillespie, the winningest coach in college baseball history, received a Distinguished Service Award (DSA) from the United States Sports Academy. Gillespie, coach at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, was presented with his DSA by Academy alumna and Board of Trustees member Ms. Linda Moore on 21 December 2009 on the St. Francis campus.


Gillespie, who turns 84 in April 2010, will begin his 58th season of coaching baseball next year. He has compiled a career record of 1,816 wins and 922 losses. More than half his victories have come at St. Francis, where he coached from 1977 through 1995 and again from 2006 until the present.

Gillespie has been inducted into 16 halls of fame, including the College Baseball Hall of Fame this past summer, and is a four-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Coach of the Year. Gillespie's 1993 team won the first national championship in St. Francis school history, regardless of sport.

The DSA is given annually to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national or international sports through instruction, research or service. The DSA is separate from the Academy's Awards of Sport and each recipient also receives the coveted Order of the Eagle Exemplar for their achievements.

Each nominee must possess an extensive background in sports. This means that the individual must have had significant dealings in either instruction, research or service in sports for more than 10 years.

The United States Sports Academy is an independent, nonprofit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and the world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports. For more information about the Academy, call 251-626-3303 or visit www.ussa.edu.

Patriots Sign Nick DePaul

Play Ball USA Patriots Manager Mike Schultz is excited about the signing of Nick DePaul (Benedictine University) for the 2010 season.


DePaul made 7 starts for Benedictine as a freshman in 2009 and will be at the top of their rotation in 2010. His 3-2 record and 4.81 ERA earned him NAC All-Freshman honors. Prior to BU, Nick was an All-Conference player and Team Captain at Maine South High School in 2008.

Chicago State University Baseball Signs Dylan Sterrett for 2010-11 Season

Chicago, Illinois - Chicago State baseball has announced that Indiana high school standout Dylan Sterrett to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Cougars starting in 2010-11.


Sterrett is a three-sport athlete at Frontier (Ind.) High School competing in football, basketball and baseball where he has earned numerous accolades for his athletic prowess, including all-state honors in all three sports. He competes as an infielder and pitcher for Frontier’s baseball team.

Big Ten Baseball 2010 Pre-Season Projections

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Below is the 2010 pre-season projected order of finish based on how the coaches voted in the Big Ten Conference:

1.  Ohio State
2.  Minnesota
3.  Michigan
4.  Illinois
5.  Indiana
6.  Michigan
7.  Purdue
8.  Penn St.
9.  Northwestern
10. Iowa

Trition College Lands 18th on the 2010 Pre-Season Poll

From Baseball in Illinois News Source

Triton College in River Grove Illinois has been ranked number 18 on the NJCAA Division I Pre-Season Poll by the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association. 

Joliet Junior College Ranked 3rd in Pre-Season Poll

From Baseball in Illinois News Source

Joliet Junior College begin the 2010 season ranked third in the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Pre-Season Poll.  The Wolves rolled to a 41-16 record last season and return four starting position players and seven quality pitchers. 

One Key pitcher is RHP Zach Petrick who went 9-4, 2.85 ERA with 96 strikeouts.  Zach has been clocked at 89-90 on the mound with his fastball and also diaplays an excellent curveball.

Parkland Number 1 in 2010 NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll

From Baseball in Illinois News Source

Parkland College is the 2010 pres-eason favorite according to the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Pre-Season Poll.  The defending national champions went 49-9 last season and return three starting position players along with four key pitchers.

Ranked fourth in the pre-season poll is Kankakee Community College.  The Cavaliers rolled to a 52-14-1 record last season while finishing third in the NJCAA Division II World Series.

Heartland Community College came in at number 13 according to the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Division II pre-season poll.

Thunderbolts Host SouthSide Challenge

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Date: Sunday April 11, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM


See the best high school baseball in the Southland as the ThunderBolts and Marist High School host this great event now in it's second year. Once again teams from the Chicago Catholic League will battle teams from the East Suburban Conference.

The 2010 Schedule:
10 am: Providence Celtics -vs- Marian Catholic Spartans
1 pm: Mt. Carmel Caravan -vs- Joliet Catholic Hilltoppers
4 pm: St. Rita Mustangs -vs- Carmel Corsairs
7 pm: Brother Rice Crusaders -vs- Marist Redhawks

Knox College Hitting League

The Knox College Hitting League is a competitive and instructional way to keep your hitting and baseball skills sharp for the upcoming season. League members will compete against like age groups in a seasonal long hitting competition. In addition, instruction will be offered by the Knox College coaching staff, current Knox players and local coaches.

Dates:

January 10. 17, 24 & 31
February 14, 21 & 28
March 7

Time & Age Group:
Grades 1, 2 & 3 @ 1:00-1:45
Grades 4, 5 & 6 @ 2:00-2:50
Grades 7 & 8 @ 3:00-4:15
Softball- All Ages @ 3:00-4:15

Cost: $64 for all Hitting League dates or the equivalent of $8 a session


League Director-----Head Baseball Coach Jami Isaacson


For registration form please visist: 
www.knox.edu/Athletics/Hitting-League.html
Knox College is located in Galesburg Illinois.

JJC hurler Patrick Murray added to RMU Nine for 2011 season!

Chicago, IL - Robert Morris University Coach Mike Kashirsky continues to reap the fertile fields of the outstanding baseball program at Joliet Junior College (IL) for recruits, signing right-handed pitcher Patrick Murray to a letter of intent for the 2010-2011 season.


The son of Michael and Judy Murray of Shorewood, IL, Patrick was a member of JJC Coach Wayne King, Jr.'s 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III World Series team. Pat went 8 2/3 innings for the win in the NJCAA regional championship game, catapulting the Wolves into the World Series where they finished fourth. The newest Eagle was 5-1 for JJC as a freshman, including a win in the NJCAA World Series.

Pat was a standout at Joliet West High School for Coach Terry Piazza. He also played basketball for the Steelmen during his prep career.

"Pat has a chance to be a #1 pitcher for us," says Coach Kashirsky. "He has developed a great deal over his final year in high school and his first season in junior college. We got a prime-time pitcher today."

CSU Baseball Inks Michigan Standout for 2010-11

From baseball in Illinois news sources

Chicago State baseball announced the recent signing of Gavin Trevino (East Kentwood, Mich.) to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Cougars beginning with 2010-11 school year.


Trevino is the first signee for the Cougars and more signings will be announced down the road.

Hooters and Hammers!

jackhammerbaseball.com: News:

JOLIET, IL- The Joliet JackHammers are adding new “Bat Boys” to

the Thursday night lineup. The Orange Crush is teaming up with Hooters
Restaurant for a new on-field promotion for the 2010 season. Hooters girls
dressed in uniform will be performing the duties of the bat boys on Thursday

nights throughout the season. The girls will also be tossing merchandise into
the stands in between innings while accompanied by “Hootie,” the Hooters
owl mascot.

“We are excited that Hooters wants to be more involved at the ballpark this
season,” says Matt Mendes, Corporate Sales Manager of the JackHammers.
“Thursday games should be a hoot this year!”

Hooters is once again sponsoring the JackHammers Team Photo Giveaway
scheduled for August 2010. The restaurant will also be providing dinner for
the players and Front Office staff members on Thursdays.

Happy Holidays

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

Augustana College Illinois - 2010 BASEBALL PREVIEW

COACHING STAFF

HEAD COACH: Greg Wallace, Augustana - 1988…356-162 (.687) in 12 years at Augustana…Overall collegiate record is 434-211-1 (.673) which includes a four-year stint at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland where he compiled a 78-49-1 record.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Tim McChesney, John Furlong, Jorge Acosta, Michael Meyers

TEAM INFORMATION KEY RETURNEES:

2009 HIGHLIGHTS: The Vikings posted their 12th consecutive 20 victory season, finishing the 2009 season with a 23-17 record... Augustana finished fourth in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin in both the regular season (10-10) and conference tournament …Over the past 10 years, Augustana has compiled a record of 133-73 (.646) in the conference.
 

Matt Erickson (Marmion Academy, Channahon, Ill.), Senior, P, 2009: 4-4 with a 6.48 ERA...Led team in starts (11), innings pitched (66 2/3) and strikeouts (57)...2008: 6-2 with a 3.72 ERA…Co-Most Outstanding Pitcher for Augustana in 2008…Led team in ERA and tied for the team lead in wins in each of his first two seasons…Tied for the team lead with 58 strikeouts…Enters his senior season 17-7 with an ERA of 4.57...Currently fourth on the school’s career strikeout list with 162...Also 10th in wins (17) and innings pitched (181 1/3).

Vince Frede (St. Charles East HS, St. Charles, Ill.), Junior, P...2009: 1-1 record with an ERA of 0.46...Split six games evenly between starts and relief appearances...One complete game and one save...2008: 4-1 with three saves and a 3.78 ERA… Co-Most Outstanding Pitcher for Augustana…Tied for the team lead in saves…allowed just 12 hits while fanning 19 in 16 2/3 innings…Opponents hit just .203 against him and only .150 in conference play...Enters his junior season 5-2 with four saves, a 1.98 ERA and a .222 opponents’ batting average in his career.

Dave Hoffman (Cary-Grove HS, Fox River Grove, Ill.), Junior, IF...2009: 1st team All-CCIW...Hit .363 with two home runs and 31 RBI...Tied for team lead with 58 hits...Led team with 13 doubles...Tied for second on the team with 79 total bases...Third in runs scored with 34.

Kevin Kulig (Benet Academy, Lemont, Ill.), Senior, P...2009: 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in a team-high 15 appearances, all in relief...Had one save...Fanned 29 and walked just seven in 29 2/3 innings.

Mike Lamb (Ottawa HS, Ottawa, Ill.), Junior, OF...2009: Hit .375 with one home run and 16 RBI...Slugged .554 and was perfect in five stolen base attempts...Fielded 33 chances without an error.

Grant Loiselle (Bloomington Central Catholic, Normal, Ill.), Junior, P...2009: 3-0 with a 4.10 ERA in nine appearances...Team-high three complete games in five starts...Fanned 42 and allowed just 24 hits in 37 1/3 innings for an opponents’ batting average of .182.

Josiah Martin (Canton HS, Canton, Ill.), Sophomore, P...2009: 0-3 with a 5.47 ERA...Second on the team with 12 appearances.

Joe Moran (Notre Dame HS, Chicago, Ill.), Sophomore, IF...2009: Hit .392 with 20 hits in 51 at-bats...scored 17 runs and drove in nine.

T.J. O’Donnell (New Trier HS, Northbrook, Ill.), Junior, C...2009: Tied for the team lead in home runs with five in just 71 at-bats...Hit .310 with 25 RBI and a .592 slugging percentage...Threw out three of seven potential base stealers (43%).

Mike Pagano (Notre Dame HS, Chicago, Ill.), Senior, P…2009: 5-2 with an ERA of 4.33 in 10 appearances...Led team in wins...Struck out 30 in 35 1/3 innings...Second on the team with seven starts...2008: 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA…Led team in innings pitched with 69 1/3 and shutouts with two…Tied for the team lead with 58 strikeouts and 12 starts.

Mike Trotta (Notre Dame HS, Chicago, Ill.), Sophomore, P-IF...2009: 1-3 with a 5.01 ERA as a freshman...Second on the team with 41 1/3 innings pitched...Third on the team with six starts...Completed one game...Allowed a .267 opponents’ batting average.

IHSA 2010 Baseball Sectional Sites Announced

The Illinois High School Association announced the sectional sites and super sectional sites for the 2010 baseball season.


Super Sectional Sites:
Class 4A:  Bloomington - Illinois Wesleyan University
                  Rockford -  Riverhawk Stadium (Rockford will host two sectionals)
               Crestwood - Standard Bank Stadium
Class 3A:  Rock Island - Augustana College
               Saugut - GSC Park
               Naperville - North Central College
               Crestwood - Standard Bank Stadium
Class 2A:  Springfield - Lincoln Land Community College
               Rock Island - Augustana College
               Lisle - Benedictine University
               Saugut - GSC Park
Class 1A:  Springfield - Lincoln Land Community College
               Champaign - University of Illinois
               Lisle - Benedictine University
               Marion - Southern Illinois Miners

Joe Scumaci Named To NCBWA Preseason All-America Third Team

Lewis University senior earns national honor

ROMEOVILLE, Illinois - Senior pitcher Joe Scumaci (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence/Triton) was named to the 2010 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Preseason All-America Third Team on Tuesday.


Scumaci earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference Second Team honors last season. He posted a team-best 2.42 earned run average, the lowest for a Lewis starter since 2000. He finished with a team-best 6-4 record and a .252 opposing batting average. Scumaci completed seven of his 12 starts and recorded a save in his one relief appearance.

"I am very happy for Joe and he is very deserving of this honor," head coach Tim McDonough said. "Joe is an example of how hard work, preparation and execution on the field can lead to success and honors such as this. While pre-season awards are nice, I know Joe will only be satisfied with personal accomplishments when Lewis baseball reaches its team goals of reaching the GLVC tournament and a regional berth."

The association's Division II national poll voters and members of the association's board of directors selected the NCBWA Division II Preseason All-America teams from nominations submitted by sports information directors at NCAA Division II baseball-playing institutions.

Winter Developmental Baseball Camps

The Trinity Christian College baseball program is hosting developmental baseball camps for boys, ages six and up. The camp, held at the Mitchell Memorial Gymnasium, will be conducted on the four Friday evenings of February and run from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Camp instruction will focus on hitting and pitching skills. Trinity’s head coach Jason Huisman will instruct the hitting camp and Trolls’ assistant coaches Justin Huisman and Wally Widelski will direct the pitching camp.


Registration is required for attendance and participants can register for any number of sessions. More information, camp session cost, and registration procedures can be obtained by contacting Jason Huisman at 708-239-4780 or jason.huisman@trnty.edu

Joe Heller Joins Play Ball USA Patriots as Assistant Coach

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Joe Heller, who played in the MCSBL over the course of the past few summers, has joined the Patriots coaching staff for the 2010 summer.


Heller is currently an assistant coach at North Central College, his alma mater, where he works with the infielders and hitters and also over sees the teams strength and conditioning. Heller has played in instrumental role in NCC's recruiting efforts this year.

Coach Heller was the starting second baseman at North Central from 2006-2009 and was an All-CCIW player in 2007.

Redbird Baseball Matches Highest Team GPA in Fall Semester

Redbird Baseball Matches Highest Team GPA in Fall Semester - ILLINOIS STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE:

NORMAL, Illinois - The Illinois State baseball team posted a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) and landed 24 student-athletes on the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll during the fall semester, matching the highest single-semester mark established by the program as grades were released Wednesday.


Freshman outfielder Chad Hinshaw earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during his first semester as a collegiate student-athlete and led the charge for the Redbirds to tie the previous baseball team record set during the fall 2006 semester. Redshirt Junior Ryan Court also turned in a strong semester and continues to lead the returning baseball Redbirds with a 3.77 cumulative GPA.

"I am pleased with the work our guys put in this fall academically," Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said. "I believe a strong work ethic leads to success on the field and the classroom. Having this type of achievement shows the commitment our players have made.

"I would like to thank our tremendous academic study center staff led by (Associate Athletics Director for Academics and Life Skills) Jane Fulton. (Karin L. Bone Athletic Study Center Director) Tim Schlosser puts in an exceptional amount of time and effort with our players, and we are extremely grateful. We stress the importance of academic achievement, and it is important our players take that seriously."

Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division I Preseason Rankings

The Collegiate Baseball Newspaper came out with the preseason division I baseball rankings today and the only teams from Illinois that made the list are the University of Illinois and Eastern Illinois University, which did not make the top 40 but were listed as "Other teams receiving votes".  Illinois finished 4th in the Big Ten Conference in 2009 with a 16-8 record and 34-20 overall.  Eastern Illinois finished first in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2009 with a 13-4 record and finished 33-14 overall. 

Arndt Returns to Rockford RiverHawks Coaching Staff

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Veteran hitting instructor J.D. Arndt will return for another season on the Rockford RiverHawks’ coaching staff, the team announced Monday.


Arndt will again coach the team’s hitters as the RiverHawks play their first season in the independent Northern League.

“JD’s been with us eight years,” co-owner and director of baseball operations Dave Ciarrachi said. “He’s been a hard worker and a loyal coach and I think he has a good grasp on the technical and on the mental side of hitting.”

Last season, the RiverHawks hit a composite .275, tied for third in the Frontier League. Each of the last two years, a RiverHawk led the league in hitting.

“I’m excited and thrilled to be a part of the coaching staff as we work with Dave on bringing in quality players,” Arndt said. “I’m looking forward to a great season in the Northern League.”

JackHammer California Tryouts Dates Have Changed!

California Tryouts Dates Have Changed!

JOLIET, ILLINOIS- The Joliet JackHammers have updated the dates for their upcoming tryouts in California. The first of the two tryouts will be held at San Diego Christian College at noon on January 9, 2010 in San Diego. The second will be held on January 10 at The Masters College in Los Angeles at 10am. For more information, contact Chad Parker at chad@jackhammerbaseball.com.