Former Major Leaguer and Illini pitcher Jason Anderson joins the fighting Illini coaching staff as a volunteer coach. Jason will team up with Drew Dickinson who was named Pitching Coach on August 3rd as Illinois will carry two pitching coaches.
Anderson retired from professional baseball on July 19th. Anderson also ranks third in wins at Illinois with 29 and holds the single season record for victories with 14.
Drew Dickinson was named Pitching Coach after a seven year professional career and spending two years as a volunteer assistant coach at Illinois. Drew was 30-7 in his career at Illinois.
Chris Serritella, Southern Illinois University, captures the Prospect League Player of the Year award by leading the league in home runs (14) and rbi's (60) and coming in fourth in batting average at .361.
Chris also helped lead the Quincy Gems to their second league championship in the three year history of the Prospect League with a 5-0 victory over the West Virginia Miners.
Chris will be a senior at Southern Illinois University and is from Glenview Illinois.
More drama for the Lake County Fielders baseball team from Zion Illinois this past week.
Since having a game cancelled against Calgary for using sub par baseballs that are not approved by the league the Fielders were at it again after they refused to travel to a four game series because the cost of travel was too much.
The North American League announced on Thursday that the Lake County Fielders had been thrown out of the league.
The City of Zion wants its $185,000 in rent and most of the players and coaches quit over financial issues - not to mention the on air exit from the Fielders broadcaster.
The rest of the season is up for grabs from the Fielders but you can bet there are tickets still available.
Western Illinois University announced that registration is open for their two day fall baseball camp on October 8th and 9th 2011. The camp is open to ages 15-20.
The fall camp offers instruction in all aspects of the game from Leatherneck coaches and players. Interested players can choose a one day ($85) or two day session ($155).
For more information please visit the Western Illinois Baseball website below.
2011 Western Illinois Baseball Camp
The Lincoln-Way North baseball team captured it's first summer state baseball championship at the Phil Lawler Summer Classic Tournament just three years after playing its first varsity game with an 8-5 win over Prairie Ridge.
Reed Hero became the hero as he delivered a single in the top of the seventh to give the Phoenix (21-4) a 6-5 lead. The Phoenix added a couple of insurance runs on a two out single up the middle from Josh Handzik. Reed Hero was named the MVP of the Phil Lawler Summer Classic.
The game between the Calgary Vipers and the Lake County Fielders was suspended Friday in Zion Illinois when the Vipers claimed the Lake County Fielders were playing with sub par baseballs.
Once again Fielders owner Richard Ehrenreich is left trying to explain why the Fielders were using recreational baseballs purchased at a local sporting goods store rather than purchasing its usual order for Rawlings professional model.
Ehrenreich said he is expected to announce Tuesday whether the Fielders will complete the rest of the season. Ehrenreich, who also owned the now defunct Schaumburg Flyers, was ordered by a the court to pay over $500,000 in past due rent to the village. Ehrenreich's Grand Slam Sports and Entertainment, the Fielders parent company, owes $185,000 in back rent to the city of Zion dating back to the 2010 season.
Trenton Moses from Southeast Missouri State University baseball captured the Prospect League batting title going 3-4 with a homer, a double and 4 rbi's moving his batting average to .388 on the season. Moses also holds the Prospect League record of reaching base in 45 consecutive games this season.
The Dekalb County liners play their home games at Founders Field in Sycamore Illinois.
