Northern Illinois Baseball teams certainly have a disadvange when it comes to preparing their teams to compete early each spring.
Knox College baseball players went outside on February 15th but it wasn't to practice like most of the southern teams. Players were outside shoveling the snow off of the field and learning what it takes to perpare a baseball field for a practice and a game.
One of the Prairie Fire players, Zach Ricketts (Galesburg IL), will be working as a groundskeeper for the Boston Red Sox after he graduates in June.
Know will open their season on March 15th against St. Joseph's College of New York in Fort Meyers FL.