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.

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.

Northern Illinois Baseball Adds Four More for 2012

The Northern Illinois University baseball program added four more student athletes to the baseball program.

The Huskies signed two players from Illinois and two Junior College transfers.

Below are the latest to sign with NIU:

LHP John Savarise.  John is from Stevenson High School and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 33rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft.  Savarise lives in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Outfielder Brandon Mallder.  Brandon attended St. Laurence High School and lives in Bridgview, Illinois.

LHP Brody Justice.  Brody is a transfer from Paris Junior College in Texas, played for the Dekalb County Liners and lives in Frisco, Texas.

Outfielder Landon Tenhagen.  Landon is a transfer from Madison College and lives in Burlington, Wisconsin.

CornBelter Baseball's Rich Mascheri Signs Yankees

Normal CornBelter left handed pitcher Rich Mascheri has had his contract purchased by the New York Yankees last week.  

Mascheri had 10 saves with 2.29 era in 26 appearances this season with the CornBelters.  Mascheri also represented the West Division at the Frontier League All-Star game.  

Rich played college baseball at Western Illinois University and lives in Wauconda, Illinois.

Grizzlies add Pat Arnold to Pitching Staff

The Gateway Grizzlies announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Pat Arnold to their pitching staff for the 2012 season.

Arnold was released from the Washington Nationals farm system after spending the last five seasons with the Nats.  Arnold's career stats with Washington are 11-16 with a 4.68 ERA. 

The Gateway Grizzlies are a member of the Independent Frontier League and play their home baseball games in Sauget Illinois.

Slammers Baseball Add Two Big Bats for 2012

The Joliet Slammers have aquired outfielder Zach Mandelblatt from the McAllen Thunder of the North American Baseball League for a player to be named later.  Mandelblatt hit .298 with 14 homers and 46 rbi's last season with the Thunder.

The Slammers also signed catcher Ryan Ferguson, who attened Temple University.  Ferguson holds the record at Temple for hitting safely in 26 games.  Ryan hit .316 with 10 homers his senior year at Temple.

The Slammers are an Independent professional baseball team who plays at Siver Cross Field in Joliet Illinois.  The Slammers are part of the Frontier League.

RiverHawks Baseball Pick up Options on Nine Pitchers for 2012

The Rockford RiverHawks announced they have picked up the options on nine picthers for the 2012 season. 

Left handers include Alex Symanski, Kyle Kriech and Theron Minium.

The righties are Joe Scumaci, Adam Osteen, Brad Allen, Corey Frerichs, Nick Gaudi and Joey Gradney.

Alex Symanski is returns as last year's ace for the RiverHawks going 5-4 with a 4.09 ERA.

Boomers Baseball Sign First Pitcher for 2012

The Schaumburg Boomers baseball club recently signed their first pitcher for the 2012 season - right handed pitcher Matt Collins from Piedmont College.


Collins was 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA, 13 saves and 75 strikeouts in 47 innings in 2011 at the Division III school.  Matt is from Roswell GA.

The Boomers will open their 2012 season on Friday May 18th at Lake Erie and open at home on Friday May 25th against Florence.  The Boomers will play their home games at Alexian Field in Schaumburg Illinois.

Two Naperville North Baseball Players Commited to U.S. Armed Forces Academies

Naperville North baseball players Conner Adamski and Mariano Long have both committed to attend U.S. Armed Forces Academies for the 2013 baseball seasons.

Left handed hitting catcher Conner Adamski has committed to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis MD.

Right handed pitcher Mariano Long committed to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs Colorado.

In addition to Long, Sandburg outfielder Zak Reks has also committed to attend the Air Force Academy.



Congratulations to these young men who will continue their baseball careers at these prestigious academies.

ThunderBolts Baseball Bring Some Vipers to Crestwood Illinois for 2012

Ex Calgary Viper manager and current ThunderBolt manager Morgan Burkhart has brought over three of his ex players to Crestwood for the 2012 baseball season. 

Outfielder Bryan Burke signed with the Vipers in 2011 and set his career best in batting average hitting .302 last season.

Shortstop Louis Templeton spent his rookie season in Calgary last summer hitting .289 with 5 home runs in 2011.

Right handed pitcher Stephen Whalen pitched for four different teams in three season, the latest being in Calgary in 2011.  In 14 games at Calgary Whalen went 7-5 with a 5.13 ERA.

The T-Bolts also signed right handed pitcher Bobby O'Neil after O'Neil was release from rookie ball with the Twins in 2011.

The ThunderBolts play their home games at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood Illinois and open their 2012 baseball season on May 14th 2012.

Villanova Baseball Signs Three from Illinois

Villanova Wildcats head baseball coach Joe Godi announced the signing of three baseball players from Illinois to National Letters of Intent for the 2013 season.


Infielder Eric Lowe from Rolling Meadows HS and lives in Arlington Heights Illinois.  Lowe has tremendous speed.

Infielder/Catcher Emmanuel Morris from Hinsdale South HS and lives in Willowbrook Illinois.  Morris is a utility player who can play middle infield, catch and play outfield.

Outfielder Nick Coutre from Libertyville HS and lives in Libertyville Illinois.  Nick can play all three outfield positions.

Eastern Illinois University Baseball Sign Seven for 2013 Season

Eastern Illinois University head baseball coach Jim Schmitz announced the signing of seven players for the 2013 baseball season.


Utility player Matt Dunavant from Eureka HS, lives in Eureka Illinois.

Infielder Mitch Gasbaro from Glenbard South HS, lives in Glen Ellyn Illinois.

RHP Jake Johansmeier from St. Charles North HS, lives in St. Charles Illinois.

RHP CJ Martin from Oakville HS, lives in St. Louis Missouri.

Outfielder Derek Page from Edwardsville HS, lives in Edwardsville Illinois.

Outfielder Trey Russell from Joliet Junior College, lives in Urbana Illinois.

Catcher/IF Jason Scholl from Glenbrook North HS, lives in Northbrook Illinois.

Olivet Nazarene Sign Four for the 2013 Baseball Season

Olivet Nazarene head baseball coach Todd Reid announced the Tigers have signed four student athletes to letters of intent for the 2013 baseball season.  Below are the signees.

Infielder Josh Altman from Lockport HS in Lockport Illinois

Infielder Jordan Hayes from St. Charles East HS in St. Charles Illinois

Outfielder Caleb Gulledge from Parma Western HS in Spring Arbor Michigan

Cody Haver from Andrean HS in Merriville Indiana

Iowa Hawkeye Baseball Sign Four from Illinois for 2012

The Iowa Hawkeyes head baseball coach Jack Dahm announced the signing of four Illinois baseball players to National Letters of Intent.

Listed below are the Illinois players.


Left handed pitcher Ryan Borucki from Mundelein HS.  Ryan was 7-1 with a 1.20 ERA.  Ryan lives in Mundelein Illinois.

Catcher Blake Hickman from Simeon HS.  Blake is a 6'5" catcher is an Illinois High School All-Stater.

Infielder Devin Pickett from Marion Catholic HS.  Devin was a third team All-American by Perfect Game.  Devin lives in Flossmoor Illinois.

Infielder Nick Roscetti from Williamsville HS.  Nick hit .465 with 25 rbi's and 14 stolen bases along with going 6-3 with a 1.81 ERA on the mound as a junior.  Nick lives in Sherman Illinois.

Two Illinois Baseball Players - Hanson, Hjellming Sign With Valpo Baseball

Valparaiso University baseball announced the signing of two Illinois student athletes for 2012 - Jacob Hanson and Andrew Hjellming.

Hanson is a 6'1" catcher from Aurora Christian HS in Aurora Illinois and hit .395 with 20 extra base hits and 29 rbi's as a junior. 

Hjellming is a 6'6" right-handed pitcher from Wheaton Warrenville South HS in Wheaton Illinois and also a member of the the Wheaton Warrenville South football team.  Andrew was named to the All-DVC academic team in 2011.

Sully Stadler Signs National Letter of Intent With Indiana University Baseball

The Indiana University baseball program announced the signing of left handed pitcher Sully Stadler to a National Letter of Intent for the 2012 baseball season.

Stadler is a 6'5" lefty from Glenbrook South HS who pitches and plays outfield.  Stadler hit .403 with 3 dingers and was 4-1 on the mound in 2011.  Sully joins his brother Walker who is a redshirt sophomore at Indiana.  Stadler lives in Glenview Illinois.

Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Sign Four in Frontier League Transactions

The Southern Illinois Miners Frontier League baseball team is keeping busy in the off season by signing four players for 2012.

The Miners signed three pitchers - James Albury, Albert Ayala, Anthony Collazzo and 1B/OF slugger Matt Fields.

Fields returns to the Miners after playing 57 games for the Miners last season before breaking a bone in his hand.  Fields hit .275 with 17 homers and 45 rbi's in 57 games.

Tyler Perkowitz Signs With Miami Ohio Baseball

The Miami Ohio baseball program signed four high school seniors to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 season, one from Illinois - Tyler Perkowitz.


Infielder Tyler Perkowitz is from Hersey HS and lives in Mt. Prospect Illinois.  Perkowitz hit .301 with six triples as a junior setting the school's season and career record in triples.

Kevin Ross Signs National Letter of Intent With Michigan Baseball

University of Michigan head baseball coach Rich Maloney announced the signing of Kevin Ross to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for the Wolverines for 2012-2013.

Kevin is an infielder from Skokie Illinois and played his high school baseball at Niles West.

Ross received the New Balance Kevin Youkilis "Heart and Hustle" award for his performance at the Area Code Games and was also named to the All-Area Code team at third base.

Butler Baseball Signs Catcher Chris Marras to National Letter of Intent

Butler University head baseball coach Steve Farley announced the signing of catcher Chris Marras from Vernon Hills HS in Illinois to a National Letter of Intent.

Marras is a two-time all-conference player and was named to the Daily Herald All-Area Team along with being named the Pioneer Press Player of the Year. 

Chris lives in Vernon Hills Illinois.