Danville Dans Baseball Hire Assistant Baseball Coach

(Danville Illinois)

Bret Simmermacher

The Danville Dans baseball club announced that Bret Simmermacher has been named as an assistant baseball coach for the 2011 season. 

Simmermacher is currently the head baseball coach at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell New Mexico.  Bret is in his fifth season at New Mexico Military Academy and joins Danville head coach Mike Hutcheon for the summer season which begins on June 2nd.  Hutcheon coached for seven seasons at the Air Force Academy before resigning from the Academy in 2010.

Concordia, North Park Ranked in Latest Division III Baseball Polls

In the latest Division III national baseball polls both Concordia University and North Park University earn spots on the poll for Illinois teams.  Augustana, who was ranked 13th has dropped off of the national poll as of April 25th.

Concordia (23-5) is ranked at #20

North Park (24-7) is ranked at #25

Illinois Wesleyan and Augustana did receive votes but did not make the rankings this week.

Gaedele Earns Horizon League Baseball Player of the Week

Valparaiso Junior outfielder Kyle Gaedele (Rolling Meadows Illinois) was named the Horizon League Baseball Player of the Week for the week ending April 23rd.

Gaedele, who is the great-nephew of Eddie Gaedel - the shortest player ever used in a Major League Baseball game, went 3-5 with a homer and 3 rbi's in the opener against the University of Hawaii and 2-3 with a triple in the final game against Hawaii.  Kyle had a .619 on base percentage and a .786 slugging percentage.  Gaedele was also walked four times and two were intentional. 

Michael Rutas Throws No-Hitter as Batavia Baseball Breaks Streamwood's Streak

Batavia, Illinois.

Batavia High School baseball Senior Michael Rutas ended Streamwood High School's 14-0 record by tossing a no-hitter Monday as the Bulldogs defeated Streamwood 4-0.

Rutas struck out five and walked two and only three balls left the infield in the right-handers complete game no-no.  Rutas, 3-1 on the season, retired the first 11 batters when the Sabres got their first baserunner on an error.

Danny Seiton led off the sixth with an 0-2 opposite field home run for Batavia.  The Bulldogs added three more in the seventh with an rbi single from Branden Hrack and three Streamwood errors.

Batavia moves to 4-10 on the season as Steamwood drops to 14-1.

Chris Britton Signed by the Lake County Fielders Baseball

The Lake County Fielders (Zion Illinois) announced they have signed Chris Britton as a starting pitcher for the 2011 season. Britton was drafted by the Orioles in the 8th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft.  Chris pitched in 78 games in the bigs with the Orioles and Yankees from 2006 through 2008.  In 2009 Chris was signed as a free agent by the Padres and released by the Padres in May 2009.

Since then Britton has played the last two seasons in Independent Baseball with the York Revolution and the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association.  Britton was released by the Saltdogs in June of 2010.

Britton was also know for being one of the heaviest players in baseball.  At 275 pounds, the only other major leaguers as heavy or heavier were CC Sabathia, Jonathan Broxton, Bobby Jenks, Adam Dunn and Dimitri Young.

Youngest Paxson's Turn at Stark County High School Baseball

Bryce Paxson, the youngest of three brothers who all played baseball at Stark County High School, is making a name for himself all over the diamond this year in Toulon Illinois. 

On the mound Bryce threw consecutive complete games, an 8-1 two hitter against West Prairie and another two hitter 4-0 win over Galva-Williamsfield.  In 14 innings Bryce gave up four hits and struck out 24 batters.  Currently Bryce is 3-3 with a 2.79 ERA, 54 strikeouts in 37 2/3rds innings pitched.

At the plate Bryce has reached base 17 of his last 18 plate appearances.  He is hitting .417 with 14 rbi's, seven doubles and 27 runs scored on the year. 

Bryce's brothers Tyler (Missouri State) and Ky (Blackhawk College) have both been supportive to Bryce.  Bryce stated that Tyler "pretty much taught me to hit". 

Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Adds Sean Coughlin

The Southern Illinois Miners announced the addition of former Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Sean Coughlin.

Coughlin was a 13th round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondback and played 4 seasons of Minor League ball, the latest was in 2010 at the AAA level in Reno where Sean hit .191 in 89 at bats.  In 2009 Coughlin hit .304 at the AA level in Mobile.

Concordia Baseball Leads Northern Athletics Conference Standings

Concordia University of Chicago Illinois Baseball stands in first place in the Northern Athletics Conference as of April 22nd.  Concordia (20-4 overall) is also moving up on the ABCA ranking board to #16.

Concordia was on an eleven game winning streak before yesterday's loss to the University of Wisconsin/Whitewater and holds a two game lead over Aurora University.  Concordia and Aurora will battle for first place on April 25th in Aurora.

Current Standings in the Northern Athletics Conference:
Concordia Chicago 10-0
Aurora 8-2
Rockford 7-3
Marian 6-4
Concordia Wisconsin 5-4
Edgewood 6-6
Benedictine 5-5
Wisconsin Lutheran 5-5
Dominican 4-7
MSOE 4-8
Lakeland 3-9
Maranatha 0-10

Daniel Covert and Luke Bell Named St.Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Players of the Week

Senior outfielder Daniel Covert from Greenville College and freshman pitcher Luke Bell from Principia College earned the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Players of the Week award announced April 18th.

Covert, Weshclin High School, Trenton Illinois, hit .462 with 11 rbi's in four games last week.  Covert went 5-6 with 8 rbi's against Westminster College, including a grand slam, a double and seven rbi's in game two of the doubleheader.

Bell, Orlando Florida, threw a complete game on 88 pitches against Blackburn College to earn Pitcher of the Week honors.  Bell allowed one run on four hits while tying a single game record 11 strikeouts for Principia.

N

Eastern Illinois Baseball downs Illinois

The Eastern Illinois University baseball won the battle of Illinois teams as the Panthers defeated the University of Illinois 10-2.

DH Ben Thoma, Columbia Illinois, went 4-5 with three doubles, three rbi's and scored twice.  First baseman T.J. McManus, Parkland College, Glenview Illinois went 2-4 with a double, 2 rbi's and 3 runs scored.

Sophomore right handed pitcher Troy Barton, Libertyville Illinois, pitched 2 and 1/3rd innings of scoreless relief and got his third win of the season.

Illinois DH Josh Parr, Chillicothe Illinois, had two of the five hits for the Illini.

Eastern ups their record to 13-21 on the season as Illinois drops to 12-20.

Illinois High School Baseball Rankings from the Chicago Daily Herald

Todd Parola's 400th

The Local Illinois high school baseball top 20 teams from the Chicago Daily Herald as of April 19th.  Mundelein High School sits at the #1 spot and the 400th victory for Mundelein Head Baseball coach Tood Parola.


1. Mundelein 13-0
2. Streamwood 12-0
3. Leyden 11-0
4. Stevenson 8-2
5. Prospect 9-2
6. South Elgin 7-3
7. Huntley 10-1
8. St. Charles North 8-3
9. Schaumburg 7-1
10. Neuqua Valley 7-3
11. Wheaton North 7-3
12. Downers South 8-5
13. Cary Grove 8-4
14. Glenbard North 9-3
15. Naperville Central 8-4
16. Warren 8-4
17. St. Charles East 7-4
18. Geneva 7-2
19. Burlington Central 9-3
20. Hersey 6-4

RiverHawks Baseball Add Patrick O'Sullivan and Scott Roehl as Coaches

Two former players, Patrick O'Sullivan and Scott Roehl, are back with the RiverHawks, now as coaches. 

Patrick O'Sullivan was 13th on the active minor-league home run list retired after 12 seasons playing professional baseball to become Rockford's hitting coach for the 2011 season.  In his final season Patrick hit 13 homers, two shy of the RiverHawks record.

Scott Roehl accepted the RiverHawks pitching coach position and also announced his retirement as a player.  Roehl saved 18 games which is a team record for the RiverHawks.  Roehl closed out his playing career with a 28-27 record and 56 saves.

Carl Sandburg's Greg Billo Back in Illinois with Kane County Cougars Baseball

Six foot four inch 221 pound right handed pitcher Greg Billo was hoping last fall that the Kansas City Royals would choose Kane County instead of moving their low A team to Savannah Georgia.  Greg got what he was hoping for, a Royals agreement to move to Kane County and a spot on the Cougars Roster.

Billo was drafted in the 28th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft out of Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park Illinois.  In his three seasons of pro ball Greg has a 6-11 record with a 3.97 ERA.  So far this season with the Cougars, Greg is 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 7 1/3rd innings pitched. 

Springfield Sliders Baseball Hire Danny Cox as Field Manager

The Springfield Sliders announced that former St. Louis Cardinal Pitcher Danny Cox will be the Sliders Field Manager for the 2011 summer season.

Cox takes over for Curt Ford who managed the Sliders last season and was offered a bench coach position but Curt declined.

Cox served as the Sliders pitching coach in 2009 under manager Jack Clark for the Sliders first season in the Prospect League.  Cox spent 11 seasons in the Majors and was with the Cardinals from 1993-1998.

Nick Addison from Illinois Chicago Baseball Earns Horizon League Player of the Week

Sophomore outfielder Nick Addison from the University of Illinois Chicago earned the Horizon League Baseball Player of the Week reported on April 18th.

Nick collected a career high five rbi's in game one of a double header against Wright State and a career high four hits in game two.  Nick hit .667 on the week with six rbi's and four runs as UIC swept Wright State and defeated Northwestern last week.

Nick is from Fremd High School and lives in Barrington Illinois.

Rend Lake's Nick Wooley Playing for The Kane County Cougars

Right Handed Pitcher Nick Wooley from Rend Lake College in Ana Illinois is playing for the Kane County Cougars this season. 

Nick was drafted in the 12th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Royals.  Nick also attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and was drafted out of William Woods University.

Nick's stats so far this season with the Cougars:

2 appearances with a 3.86 ERA in 4 and 2/3rds innings of work.

Kevin Callahan and Steve Kuligowski CCIW Baseball Players of the Week



Kevin Callahan

 Kevin Callahan from Illinois Wesleyan and Steve Kuligowski from North Park both earned the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin baseball Players of the Week on April 12th.

Steve Kuligowski

Sophomore first baseman Callahan hit .572 with a homer, a double, eight rbi's and seven runs scored for Illinois Wesleyan last week.  Kevin went 5-5 in an 18-13 victory over Augustana on April 5th.  Kevin is from Brother Rice High School and lives in Chicago Illinois.

Junior pitcher Steve stuck out 10 and walking one last week.  Steve leads North Park with a 5-1 record and 47 strikeouts along with a 2.72 ERA on the season.  Steve is a transfer from Parkland College and lives in Grayslake Illinois.

Joliet Slammers Baseball Tryout April 30th 2011

The Joliet Slammers Independent Baseball Club announced their first tryout date on Saturday April 30th 2011. 

The tryouts will be held at Silver Cross Field in Joliet at 2:00 pm and open to players who are born in 1984 and after due to the Frontier League's age limit. 

The cost of the tryout is $40, must be in cash and registration will take place on the day of the tryout.  All interested players should arrive at 1:00 pm to sign up.   

Mid American Conference Baseball Co-Pitchers of the Week

Brian Stroud from Western Michigan and Jeremy Gonzales of Northern Illinois earn the Mid American Conference Co-Pitchers of the week honors reported April 11th.

Stroud, a redshirt junior from Western Michigan, threw his second complete game of the season in a 5-1 victory over Ohio.  Brian struck out seven, gave up four hits and walked one while lowering his ERA to 2.54 on the season.  Brian is from Providence Catholic and lives in Joliet Illinois.

Senior Northern Illinois University pitcher Jeremy Gonzales shares the Pitcher of the Week honors by throwing a complete game shutout against Miami Ohio on April 10th.  The senior from NIU had a perfect game through 5 2/3rd's innings and allowed only one runner to reach second base in his 2-0 complete game victory.  Jeremy allowed three hits and struck out seven on the day and is now 3-0 and not allowed a run in 24 innings in the MAC.  Jeremy is from Bakersfield CA.

New Illinois High School Baseball Coaching Positions Open

Glenbard East High School is looking for a Head Baseball Coach for the 2011-2012 baseball season.  Please go to http://www.glenbard87.org/ to fill out an applicaton or contact Mr. Davis at 630-627-9250.

Mt. Vernon City Schools is also seeking a Head Baseball Coach.  For more information please visit http://www.mtv80.org/.

Tony Bucciferro Named Big Ten Baseball Pitcher of the Week

Michigan State junior right handed pitcher Tony Bucciferro earned the Big Ten Conference baseball Pitcher of the Week honors by throwing a complete game shutout against Minnesota last Saturday.  Tony struck out two, gave up five hits while earning his 6th win this season. 

In 57 innings this season for the Spartans, Tony is 6-1 with a 2.05 ERA and has 2 complete games.

Tony is from Minooka Community High School and lives in Joliet Illinois.

College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Baseball Standings as of April 10th

Current baseball standings for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin as of April 10th.

Carthage 6-1
Augustana 6-2
North Park 6-2
Illinois Wesleyan 6-2
North Central 5-3
Wheaton 1-6
Elmhurst 1-7
Millikin 0-8

Illinois High School Baseball Rankings as of April 4th 2011

Illinois High School Baseball rankings from the SunTimes as of April 4th 2011.

1.   Providence Catholic
2.   Mt. Carmel
3.   Nazareth
4.   Plainfield North
5.   Mundelein
6.   St. Rita
7.   St. Laurence
8.   Downer Grove South
9.   Neuqua Valley
10. Oak Park River Forest

Estand, Helwich Named GLVC Baseball Players of the Week

St. Joseph's senior infielder Sean Estand earned Player of the Week in the GLVC by hitting .714 last weekend as he led the Pumas to a four game sweep over UW Parkside.  Sean went 10-14 with six rbi's, four doubles and five walks.  Sean is a transfer from Eastern Illinois University, attended St. Rita High School and lives in Evergreen Park Illinois.

Lewis freshman pitcher Tom Helwich captured the Pitcher of Week honors in the Great Lakes Valley Conference by throwing eight innings, striking out 10 and giving up six hits with no earned runs in a 2-1 victory over Indianapolis University last weekend.  Tom is from Lincoln-Way Central High School and lives in New Lenox Illinois.

Robert Morris University Baseball Moves into First Place in The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference

The Robert Morris University Eagles baseball team took over first place in the North Division of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference going 8-1 last week.  The Eagles only loss on the week was a 9-8 extra innings game against Rockford College.

In addition Tyler Thompson from Robert Morris was named the conference Player of the Week by hitting .458 with 3 home runs, a triple, 2 doubles and 12 rbi's on the week.

The Eagles hold a 1.5 game lead on Judson University in conference and are 22-12 overall this season.