Ryan Thorsen and Chris Senn Earn Illinois NACC Baseball Players of the Week Honors

Illinois Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference baseball players of the week

honors go to Rockford College infielder Chris Senn and Concordia University Chicago pitcher Ryan Thorsen for the week ending March 16th.

Concordia senior Ryan Thorsen, Lake Villa, Illinois, earned pitcher of the week honors throwing eight scoreless innings against Rose-Hulman last week.  Thorsen struck out nine and gave up five hits over eight innings.

Rockford's Chris Senn, Victorville, CA, earned player of the week honors by hitting .471 with five doubles, a homer and 10 rbi's last week. 

Illinois baseball players, Zach Jacobs and Eann Cox, Earn GLVC Player & Pitcher of the Week honors.

Zach Jacobs and Eann Cox earned Player and Pitcher of the Week honors from the Great Lakes Valley Conference for the week ending February 24, 2014.


University of Indianapolis outfielder Zach Jacobs hit .600 last week with a homer, a triple and three rbi's to earn Player of the Week honors.  Jacobs is from Peoria Heights, Illinois and a transfer from Illinois Central College.


Lewis University pitcher Eann Cox gave up two hits and struck out seven in a 4-1 win over Ohio Dominican last week.  Cox is from Erie, Illinois and a transfer from BlackHawk College. 

Illinois Baseball Players on the 2014 Missouri Valley Preseason All-Conference Team

Illinois baseball players who are named to the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference preseason All-Conference Team.


Chris Godinez, Bradley, hit .320 in 2012, injured in 2013, Chris lives in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

Brock Stewart, Illinois State, hit .330 in 2013, Brock lives in Normal, Illinois.

Greg Partyka, Bradley, hit .309 in 2013, Greg lives in Bartlett, Illinois.

Kevin Kaczmarski, Evansville, hit .339 with 3 triples and 6 home runs, Kevin lives in Cary, Illinois.

Dan Savas, Illinois State, went 10-0 with a 1.79 ERA and 98 strikeouts, Dan is also a Louisville Slugger preseason All-American, Dan lives in Rosemont, Illinois.

Jeremy Rhoades, Illinois State, 6 saves in 2013, Jeremy lives in Wheaton, Illinois.

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Clinic Info

The 2014 IHSBCA Coaches Clinic will be held at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center.  Registration and booths open at 3:30 on Friday January 24, 2014.

Speakers include Corey Stevens from Wabash Valley, Justin Stone from Elite Baseball, Brian Green University of Kentucky, Dan Hartleb, Drew Dickinson, and Eric Snyder from the University of Illinois, Lee Tinsley, Chicago Cubs, Justin Dehmer, Paul Hoel, Andy Satunas, and John Newton.

For more information you can visit the IHSBCA site by clicking on the link below.

IHSBCA 2014 Clinic Info 

Three Division III Illinois Baseball Teams Ranked in Pre-Season Poll

Three Division III Illinois baseball teams are ranked in the Pre-Season poll released by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

The highest ranked team on the poll is Concordia University Chicago, ranked #13.  Concordia is also ranked #16 on the Pre-Season Poll released by D3Baseball.com.  Concordia finished last season at 39-7.




Augustana is also on both polls coming in at #22 on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and #21 on D3Baseball.com.  Augustana finished at 34-11 in 2013.


Illinois Wesleyan is the final Illinois D3 baseball team on the Pre-season Polls coming in at #26 on the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll.  Illinois Wesleyan finished 2013 with a record of 33-14.

The Sad Salary Situation for Illinois Junior College Baseball Coaches

This post discusses the inequity of pay for junior college baseball coaches in Illinois.  Are the baseball coaches at Illinois junior colleges half as good as the baseball coaches in all other states?  According to the salary information provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education, baseball coaches salary, and apparently by the administrators at Illinois junior colleges, the answer seems to be yes, they are only half as good.

We researched the salary data from 2008 through 2012, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, on Illinois junior college head and assistant baseball coaches, their annual salaries against all of the other states that have NJCAA Division I, II, or III baseball.


Here is some of the 2012 data that we looked at:


First for Head Coaching positions - 

• Illinois only has 5 full time head coaches in 2012 where as there are 91 in the other NJCAA states.
• The 2012 average annual salary for head baseball coaches in Illinois $10,212 where as the average in all other states is $19,968.  As you can see, Illinois head coaches are paid about 50% less than in all other NJCAA states.
• Illinois head coaches also have to do more work as the average number of assistant coaches in Illinois is at 1.74 and all other states average closer to 2.

Next, Assistant Baseball Coaches -

• There are zero full time assistant coaches in Illinois where as other NJCAA states have 42.
• The annual salary for assistant baseball coaches at NJCAA schools was $3,925 in 2012 verses $8,554 in all other NJCAA states, that is 45.8%!
• Other NJCAA states offer 17% of assistant coaches full time employment where Illinois junior colleges offer only 4% of assistant coaches this opportunity.
• Illinois assistant coaches only earned $248 per participant (player) for the entire season where as all other NJCAA junior college states earned over $500 per participant (which is more than the head coaches in Illinois earn).

The total number of participants (baseball players) has increased 4.7% from 2008 to 2012.  There are more student-athletes playing baseball at community colleges in Illinois.  This means more tuition, more state Base Operating Grants, more federal funding.


It is easy to see but hard to understand why the coaches in Illinois are paid only half of what other NJCAA states are paying baseball baseball coaches.

Eureka Hires Another New Head Baseball Coach

Next in line at Eureka College is ex-McHenry County College baseball coach

Kim Johnson.  Johnson has coached at Moraine Valley, Bellevue, Illinois Central, and Western Illinois.

Johnson takes over for Isaac Cox (2013) , who took over for James Clark (2012).

Illinois College BlueBoys Baseball Split Twinbill Opener

The Illinois College BlueBoys 2013 baseball squad split the season opening doubleheader in Ft. Myers Florida yesterday with Eastern Nazarene College losing game one 5-0 and winning game two 2-1.

Nate Jones

In game one the BlueBoys managed only five hits in the 5-0 loss.  Nick Visconti (Godfrey, Illinois) went four innings, gave up four earned runs and suffered the loss.

Nate Jones (Belleville, Illinois) earned the victory in game two throwing all seven innings allowing one earned run on 6 hits and striking out five.  The BlueBoys scored all their runs they needed in the bottom of the sixth on a triple by Ben Heinemann (Jacksonville, Illinois) and a double from Josh Krumwiede (Carrollton, Illinois). 

CCIW Baseball Players of the Week

The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin baseball players of the week go to Jacob Van Duyne and Ben Heaton.

Van Duyne earned the CCIW Hitter of the Week going 10-18 (.556) with two doubles, 3 rbi's and scoring five times last week.  Jacob is a junior from Wilmington Illinois.

Heaton won the CCIW Pitcher of the Week honors by working seven innings, striking out six and issuing only one walk in a 6-0 victory.  Ben is from Heaton, Illinois. 

Northern Athletics Conference 2013 Baseball Preview

Aurora University baseball is picked to finish 1st in the 2013 preseason coaches poll in the Northern Athletic Conference.  The Spartans won last years NAC conference title and the last three Northern Athletic Conference tournaments.

Returning for Aurora is D3Baseball.com's preseason All-American pitcher Drew Gay who went 8-0 with a 1.68 ERA last season.  Aurora also returns pitchers Eric Palmer 8-0, 2.54 ERA, Brad Warnecke 8-0, 1.19 ERA, DH Cory Walden .352  , 57 RBI's, and catcher Ryan McMahon, .322, 17 RBI's.

Concordia, IL returns All-American third baseman Anthony Even who hit .400 with 38 RBI's and 22 doubles last season.

Benedictine has NAC Freshman All-Star Tim Hendricks coming back.  Tim hit .269 with 23 RBI's and scored 20 runs last season for the Eagles.

Rockford's top returning pitcher is Kaleb Rich, who went 3-4 with a 4.82 ERA last year.

Dominican University only returns 10 letter winners from their 2012 squad right fielder Adam Quinn leads the way hitting .267 with 22 rbi's last season.

Top Returning NJCAA Pitchers from Illinois Junior Colleges

Below are the top returning pitchers from Illinois junior colleges posted in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason media guides.

Division I:
Northern District, Regions 4, 11 and 24:

Luke Hayes, Kishwaukee College, RHP, 1.46 ERA
Derek Thompson, John A. Logan, LHP, 1.49 ERA
Nick Andros, Rend Lake, LHP, 1.65 ERA
Tait Rauen, Kishwakee College, LHP, 1.83 ERA
Brandon George, Rend Lake, RHP, 1.90 ERA
Brandon Allen, Wabash Valley, RHP, 2.18 ERA
A.J. Crutchfield, Southwestern Illinois, LHP, 2.20 ERA
Ryan Wells, Lincoln Trail, RHP, 2.91 ERA
Clay Wallace, Wabash Valley, RHP, 4.26 ERA
Eben Brooks, John A. Logan, RHP, 4.05 ERA
Ben Allison, Kishwaukee College, RHP, 4.43 ERA
Chris Hunt, John A. Logan, RHP, 4.43 ERA

Division II:
Midwest District:
Matt Lambert, Heartland, RHP, 1.70 ERA
Ryan Byrne, Heartland, RHP, 2.60 ERA
David Stagg, Heartland, LHP, 3.00 ERA
Dylan Van Fleet, Illinois Central, RHP, 3.21 ERA
Cale George, Illinois Central, RHP, 3.52 ERA
Clint Sestak, Lincoln Land, RHP, 3.71 ERA
Dan Reiser, Lincoln Land, LHP, 4.44 ERA
Jason Condit, Illinois Central, RHP, 4.72 ERA
A.J. Vasquez, Danville Area, LHP, 4.88 ERA

North Central District:
Caleb Haley, Lake County, RHP, 2.01 ERA
Eann Cox, Blackhawk, RHP, 2.37 ERA
Bobby Thorson, Elgin, RHP, 2.40 ERA
Sam Cok, Prairie State, RHP, 2.44 ERA
Dominic Talone, Elgin, RHP, 2.45 ERA
Jim Miller, Prairie State, RHP, 2.83 ERA
Kenny Lowden, Oakton, RHP, 2.87 ERA
Tyler Hurst, Oakton, LHP, 3.27 ERA
Jake Sharp, Blackhawk, RHP, 3.35 ERA
Eddie Nelson, Prairie State, RHP, 3.48 ERA
Matt Schwitz, Kankakee, RHP, 3.53 ERA
Joe Ross, McHenry County, LHP, 3.75 ERA

2013 Baseball Players to Watch From Illinois in The Mid American Conference

Here are some of the baseball players to watch in the Mid American Conference for 2013.  The list is selected from Mid American baseball coaches and published in the Collegiate Baseball News.  Our list contains only the players from Illinois or on Illinois teams.

Players to Watch:

1B/DH Jeff Zimmerman, Northern Illinois University, Jeff hit .267 with 6 home runs, 11 doubles, and 29 rbi's last season.  Jeff is from Victor J. Andrew HS and lives in Tinley Park Illinois.

OF/INF/P Alex Klonowski, Northern Illinois University, Alex hit .280 with 3 home runs, 9 doubles and 30 rbi's along with going 3-1 on the mound.  Alex is from Kearny Missouri.


Northern Illinois is projected to finish last in the Western Division of the MAC based on the coaches votes.

Minnesota Gopher Baseball Signs Two from Illinois

The University of Minnesota Gopher baseball program signed two Illinois players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period in November 2012.

Right handed pitcher Cody Campbell attended Naperville Central HS and was a member of the Midwest Future Games Illinois roster this past summer.  Cody lives in Naperville Illinois.

Brian Glowicki is a right handed pitcher from Downers Grove South HS and went 8-2 with a 1.20 ERA as a junior.  Brian lives in Downers Grove Illinois.  

Both Cody and Brian were members of the Downers Grove Longshots summer team.

Eric Jagielo Named to the Preseason All-Big East Baseball Team

Eric Jagielo was named to the 2013 preseason All-Big East baseball team by Big East baseball coaches.

Jagielo is a third baseman who hit .310 with 13 homers and 43 runs batted in for Notre Dame last season.  Eric attended Downers Grove North and lives in Downers Grove Illinois.

American Baseball Coaches Association 2013 Chicago Convention

The 2013 ABCA Chicago convention is scheduled from January 3rd, 2013 through January 6th, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago.  Guest speakers include +Andy Lopez from Arizona, Matt Senk-Stoney Brook, Butch Thompson-Mississippi State, Keith Vorhoff-Kentucky, Charlie Greene, Ron Wolforth, Jerry Weinstein, Phil Swimley, Justin Stone, Mike Birkbeck-Kent State, Steve Smith-Baylor, +Sal Fasano-Toronto Blue Jays, and many others.

For registration information follow the link below:

2013 ABCA Chicago Convention Registration 

Western Illinois Baseball Prospect Camp

Western Illinois University baseball is holding a prospect camp for high school athletes ages 14-18 on Saturday December 22nd. 

The camp is broken down into two sessions; session one is for pitchers and catchers from 9:00 am to noon and session two is for position players from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  

The cost of the camp is $110 and to register you can follow the link below.



2012 Western Illinois Prospect Camp

Kane County Cougars Baseball Announces 2013 Coaching Staff

The Kane County Cougars, now a Chicago Cubs affiliate, announced the coaching staff for the 2013 season.  

Mark Johnson has been named the manager, Ron Villone as pitching coach, and Tom Beyers as hitting coach.

Johnson spent the last two seasons in Boise as manager and led Boise into the Northwest League Championship series last season.  Johnson spent eight seasons as a catcher in the Big Leagues and his first four seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

Villone was the pitching coach for Peoria last season and played for 12 different Major League teams in his career.

Beyers has been a coach or coordinator with the Cubs for more than a decade.  Beyers managed the 2004 Boise franchise to a Northwest League championship in 2004.

Zach Burdi Signs With Iowa Baseball

University of Iowa head baseball coach Jack Dahm announced the signing of Zach Burdi to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Hawkeyes in 2014.

Zach is a 6'3" right handed pitcher from Downers Grove South H.S. and went 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA as a junior.  "We believe Zach will develop into a top of the rotation type pitcher for us early in his career" according to head coach Dahm.

Spencer Gaa Signs Letter of Intent With Bradley Baseball

Spencer Gaa is the one player from Illinois out of the seven signed by Bradley head baseball coach Elvis Dominguez for the 2014 season.  Bradley signed two players from Missouri, two from Wisconsin, one each from Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Spencer Gaa is an infielder from Metamora Illinois who hit .417 with 53 hits and 42 runs scored as a junior at Metamora H.S. last year.  Gaa also runs a 6.53 60.

Lewis University Baseball Signs Five Illinois Players for 2014

Lewis University head baseball coach Tim McDonough announced the signing of five Illinois baseball players for the 2014 season.

First baseman Brandon Collins is a transfer from South Suburban and Moraine Valley Community College.  Collins hit .400 at Moraine Valley and went to Lincoln Way North H.S.

Left handed pitcher Sam Couch is from Joliet Catholic was named to the WJOL All-Tournament team as a junior.  Sam lives in Bolingbrook Illinois.

Brad Elmore is a 6'3" 240 lb pitcher from Bolingbrook H.S..  Brad was an All-Area selection and lives in Bolingbrook Illinois.

James Holub is also a pitcher and went 7-1 while striking out 62 in 42 innings at Wauconda H.S. last season.  James lives in Wauconda Illinois.