Another New College Summer Baseball League in Illinois - The Lake Michigan Baseball League

Here we go again...another new collegiate summer league has popped up in Illinois, the Lake Michigan League.

The Lake Michigan Baseball League states they will focus on the development of players that attend junior colleges, NAIA and division III programs.  The league will play 24 games in just over one month and have rosters of only 22 players.  There are also league fees for each player of $595.

Other leagues in the Northern Illinois area are the Metro Collegiate Summer Baseball League of Illinois, The Midwest Collegiate League, and  The Chicago Suburban Baseball League.

Quincy Gems Baseball Reports 23K Loss for 2012

The Quincy Gems summer collegiate baseball team in the Prospect League reported a loss of over $23,000 for the past summer.  General manager Rob Ebbing stated gate receipts were $16,000 below budget projections and beer, picnic, and catering revenues were also down.  Ebbing claims the weather played a significant role in the short falls.

Quincy Civic Center authority chairman Hubert Staff has had concerns in the past and still has concern but states "i'm not suggesting at this time that we will discontinue", and "i'm sure we will be making a recommendation in the near future."

The Gems have been around since 1996 as a collegiate summer team and participated in the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1996-2008.  In 2008 the Prospect League absorbed the Central Illinois Collegiate League and the Gems have participated in the Prospect League since.

Other summer Illinois collegiate teams have had financial issues in 2012 include the two teams owned by Jamie Toole, the Will County CrackerJacks and the Illinois Lincolns.  The two teams were kicked out of the Midwest Collegiate League for failure to pay anybody, including umpires.

History of the Eastern Illinois Baseball League

1937 Buckey Team Photo

In 1933 Shelby Himes, Jack Waldron and Dock Leedy started the Champaign County League and in 1936 the league name was changed to the East Central Illinois League.  In 1936 there we ten teams in the league, Leverett, Royal, Flatville, Buckley, Sadorus, Thomasboro, Seymour, Chanute Field, 106th Calvary of Urbana, and Rankin. 

Today, 75 years later, the league still continues with seven teams, two which have been in the league since it's inception - Flatville (Gifford-Flatville) and Buckley. 

Connor Kretz Signs With Rockford Foresters Baseball

Baseball in Illinois News

The Rockford Foresters announced today that Boylan High School graduate Conner Kretz, who currently plays for St. Ambrose University, will be playing for the team in it’s Inaugural Season in the infield.


Kretz graduated from Boylan High School in 2009. While at Boylan, Kretz was a powerhouse player batting .393 with 35 hits, 19 RBIs and 3 home runs.

With the signing of Kretz, the Foresters now have six of eight players signed that are from the Rockford area including Ryan Hickey, Ryan Jacobson, Austin Licon, Matt Carroll, and Brett Russell.

Travis Ruppel Signs With The Quincy Gems For 2010

The Quincy Gems signed local product RHP Travis Ruppel from Qunicy University for the 2010 summer season.  Travis, who is currently a Junior at Qunicy University, played two seasons for John Wood Community College and is from Ashland Illinois. 

Talley Haines Named Pitching Coach for the Danville Dans

Baseball in Illinois News

Haines completed his college career at Southeast Missouri and Freed-Hardeman Universities and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998. During his 9 year tenure in pro ball, he pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, spending a portion of 7 years in Triple-A

Sean Flanagan Signs With Mallard for Summer

Baseball in Illinois News

The Madison Mallards have signed University of Iowa sophomore infielder/pitcher Sean Flanagan for the team’s upcoming 10th season in the Northwoods League.


Sean Flanagan, a 6’3”, 200 pound sophomore infielder/right-handed pitcher from Downers Grove North High School in Illinois, started 11 games at first base, seven games in left field, and appeared in five games on the mound for the Hawkeyes his freshman season.

Danville Dans Post 2010 Summer Pre-Season Roster

Baseball in Illinois News

The Danville Dans summer collegiate baseball team has posted their pre-season roster for 2010.  The Dans will carry 26 players this summer and are waiting for two commitments.  Below is the Dans 2010 pre-season roster:

Austin Green, RHP, So, San Diego

Jason Hamm, C, Jr, St. Leo
Mason Katz, IF/C, Fr, Louisiana State
Alex Edward, IF/OF, Fr, Louisiana State
Jake Huxtable, IF, So, University of Central Florida
Miles Silverstein, SS, So, Pepperdine
Bryan Haar, IF, So, San Diego
Tyler Brubaker, OF, So, Pepperdine
Floyd Given, OF, SO, Pepperdine
Sam Frost, IF/OF, Fr, Mississippi State
Cole Bieser, CF/util, Fr, SE Missouri
Harry Clark, IF/DH/C, Fr, UAB
Aaron Lambrix, RHP, So, Abilene Christian
Ryan Livingston, RHP, So, Chapman
JD Learnard, RHP, Fr, Ilinois State
Wil Browning, RHP, Jr, Louisiana-Monroe
Chad Girodo, LHP, Fr, Mississippi State
Donavan Drake, RHP, So, University of Indianapolis
Taylor Dennis, RHP, Jr, Southern IN
Brooks Oursler, RHP, Fr, Mississippi
Keven Inman, RHP, Jr, Pepperdine
Chris Stratton, RHP, Fr, Mississippi State
Aaron Brandt, RHP, So, St. Leo

Danville Dans Summer Baseball Schedule Announced

Baseball in Illinois News

The Danville Dans released their home schedule for the 2010 summer collegiate season.  You can view the home schedule by clicking on the following link.

2010 Danville Dans Home Schedule

Springfield Sldiers Baseball Release 2010 Summer Schedule

The Sliders kick off their 2010 season when they travel to face the Terre Haute Rex in Indiana. The home opener is on June 5th against the Danville Dans at Robin Roberts Stadium. Click the link here 2010 Slider Schedule for the full schedule. 

Rockford Foresters Baseball Signs First Player for 2010

Baseball in Illinois News

The Rockford Foresters announced the signing of their first player, first baseman and lefty Brett Russell from Southeast Missouri State University, a Division I program in the Ohio Valley Conference. Russell graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 2007.

“Russell is a great pickup for our team,” said Foresters Head Coach Rene Valdez. “Not only does Russell bring a heavy bat with him, he also brings with him speed.”

Russell, who is from Rochelle, graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 2007 where he played first base, outfield, and was a pitcher. After graduating from Rochelle, he played one-year at Rockford College where he earned 2008 NAC All-Conference All-Rookie honors.

Homestead Ranchers Join Great Plains Baseball League

From Baseball in Illinois News

The Homestead Ranchers from Gurnee, Illinois have joined the Great Plains Summer Collegiate Baseball League for the 2010 season.  The league will have two divisions--North & South. The Ranchers will be in the North Division and roster 20 players between the ages of 19-22. 

Joliet Steel City Aces Arrive for Collegiate Summer Baseball in Illinois

Baseball in Illinois News

The Steel City Aces are officially apart of the new Great Plains Baseball League!

The 2010 Joliet Collegiate Summer Team is made up of some of the top baseball athletes in the Joliet Area. All of our players have played collegiate ball and some professional experience. Some of our players were apart of the 2007 Joliet Junior College NJCAA D3 National Champions and the 2008 Ingalls Park that competed in the Palomino World Series.

We are currently competiting in the 2010 Windy City Collegiate League, before we were in the JABL last three years formally known as the Joliet Blue Jays and Dragons. The Joliet Blue Jays are the current reigning champions in the JABL winning the 2007,2008, and 2009 championships with a playoff record of 12-0. We are currently set to compete in the JABL 4th of July Tournament and the NABF Kankakee Regional. All of our games are currently played at Joliet Junior College. Check out our schedule and come support our players.

Rockford Foresters Announce Head Baseball Coach for Inaugural Season

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

The Rockford Foresters announced today that Sauk Valley Community College Head Baseball Coach Rene Valdez will be the coach that will lead the team in its Inaugural Season.


“We interviewed nearly a dozen coaches since the end of last summer and Renee stood out among all coaches for numerous reasons including his great performance as a coach on the field, his work ethic, and his ability to attract top talent through recruitment,” said President Joe Stefani. “I’m confident that Rene will not only put a great team on the field, but that he will help lead the Foresters to a league title.”

Valdez currently serves as Head Coach at Sauk Valley Community College out of Dixon, Illinois. A member of the coaching staff for the last five years, he took over the program as head coach and is going into his third season as the team’s skipper. In 2009, Sauk Valley finished 2nd in their conference with a record of 28-19.

“Being the first coach of the Foresters is truly an honor,” said Rockford Foresters Head Coach Rene Valdez. “It feels great to lead a team that is going to keep local college kids in the area while giving them exposure to Major League Baseball Scouts.”

As an assistant coach in 2006 and 2007, Valdez worked with infielders, hitters, and conditioning. He said those year were a great learning process that is helping him put everything in place this season for himself and his assistant coaches.

The Rockford Foresters are members of the new Great Plains Baseball League, and will be playing at the historic 2,422 seat Marinelli Field starting Memorial Day Weekend 2010. Single game tickets start at $4 and season tickets start at $79 per seat. Information on season tickets, group tickets and corporate sponsorships can be obtained by calling the front office at (815) 549-7487 or by visiting the team’s web site at www.RockfordForesters.com

Brian Stroud Signs with the Battle Creek Bombers

Baseball in Illinois News
courtesy Battle Creek Bombers

The Battle Creek Bombers are pleased to announce that pitcher Brian Stroud has been added to their 2010 team roster.



Stroud, a junior at Western Michigan University, has had a successful career as a Bronco. During his first season with the team, he was named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. He also was awarded First Team All-MAC and MAC Pitcher of the Week back on May 12, 2008. He is one of seven pitchers in WMU history to have six or more wins with a perfect record (6-0).


During MAC play in 2008, Stroud’s performance stood out. He had an ERA of 3.95, which ranked the best of any freshman and fourth best in the conference. Stroud started 11 games, pitching at least five consecutive innings in eight of the 11 starts, and throwing a total of 62.2 innings. He held opposing hitters to a .193 batting average, allowing 43 hits of which only 15 were for extra bases.

In his final three seasons at Providence Catholic High School in Joliet, Illinois., he was an All-Conference selection in baseball and named All-State as a senior. Stroud was also a three-year letter winner in basketball and football while at Providence Catholic. His success in sports was mirrored in the classroom as he earned academic honors as well.

Chicago Wildcats Add Three

Baseball in Illinois News



The Chicago Wildcats have picked up three more arms for the 2010 Campaign. Right Handed Pitchers Mike Stirling and Mike Pokers of Saint Xavier University and Southpaw Matt Sienkowski from Kishwaukee College have just inked contracts to play for the Cats this summer.

Patriots Sign Three More for 2010 Summer

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

January 27th, 2010 - Coach Mike Schultz announced the signing of three more players for the 2010 season.

Kevin LaPorta (Oakton Community College) will pick up quality innings on the mound this summer. He held the best record (8-3) at OCC as a freshman last spring.

Jeremy Winnan (Judson University) will add depth to the Patriot roster this summer. He was an All Big Northern Conference player as a unior and senior at Marengo High School. He threw a no-hitter as a Judson U. freshman last spring.

Brian Evans (Elmhurst College) is a solid second baseman with an above average glove and the ability to put the ball in play and make things happen at the top of the lineup. He will look to get on base and set the table for the Patriots.

Terre Haute Rex Sign Klye Burnam for 2010 Summer

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Two Terre Haute natives and a Marshall, Illinois product will be among the founding players on the Terre Haute Rex team, Indiana State coach Rick Heller said Tuesday.


Heller, who will not be involved with the summer collegiate league team in any way, said that sophomore Koby Kraemer of Terre Haute South and Brandon Dorsett of Terre Haute North, will stay in Terre Haute this summer, as will outfielder Kyle Burnam, who was a part-time starter for coach Lindsay Meggs and the Sycamores last spring.

Burnam, who was a standout at Marshall, played with Kraemer and Dorsett on the same summer league team in Missouri last year.

Kyle lives in Marshall, Illinois.

Play Ball USA Patriots Sign Four More for 2010

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Kevin Serna (Augustana College) was a two time all-conference player at Rolling Meadows High School. The former two sport standout is currently a sophomore at Augustana and will be looking to start in the outfield for the Vikings this spring.


Jacob Rone (Parkland College) will be an impact player on the mound as a rising-freshman. He has a fastball with run and good secondary pitches.


Ryan Konsler (John Carroll University) is a top level defensive outfielder who was a an all-conference and all-area player while at Lake Forest High School.


Derek Shomon (Judson University) should put up big numbers in the middle of the Patriots order. At 6'3' and 265lbs. he is an intimidating force."

PlayBall Patriots add Jack Kosar

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

The PlayBall Patriots added two-way player Jack Kosar to their roster for the 2010 summer.  Kosar is a freshman at Illinois Institute of Technology and is expected to see time in the the outfield and on the mound.  Jack is from Lake in the Hills, Illinois and attended Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Illinois.