Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Pick up Two All-Stars from Oakland County Cruisers

The Southern Illinois Miners have picked up two pitchers, Adam Dominick and P.J. Zocchi, from the dispersal draft from the Oakland County Cruisers.

Adam Dominick went 3-7 with a 3.17 era and struck out 73 batters in 59 2/3rds innings last season with the Cruisers.  Adam made an appearance in the 2010 Frontier League All-Star game in 2010.

P.J. Zocchi tied a single season record with 26 saves for the Cruisers in 2010 and went 3-0 with a 2.96 era.  P.J. also pitched an inning for the East All-Stars


 

Happy Holidays From Baseball in Illinois

Have a happy and safe holiday season! 

UIC Baseball Camp Schedule

University of Illinois Chicago baseball has announced their baseball camp schedule for a wide range of age groups.

Listed below are some of the upcoming camps.

Elite holiday hitting and fielding camp December 30-31

Martin Luther King Day camp January 17, 2011 - ages 8-13 & 14-18

Small group pitching lessons - three sessions January 13, 20, 27, 2011; ages 12-18

Small group hitting lessons - four sessions January 12, 19, 26, 2011; ages 13-18


For more information please follow the link below:

UIC Baseball Camps

Wes Benjamin Signs With Kansas Baseball

Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced the signing of Wes Benjamin to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Jayhawks for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Benjamin is a 6'1" 185 pound left-handed pitcher from St. Charles East high school.  Wes is the number 15-ranked high school baseball player in Illinois according to Perfect Game USA.  Wes went 13-2 with a 1.26 ERA and struck out 112 in 83 1/3rd innings last season.

 

Max Allen Signs With Georgetown Baseball

Georgetown University head baseball coach Pete Wilk announced that Max Allen has signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Hoyas for the 2011-2012 academic year.

"Max has a great pitchers frame and good stuff to match" quoted by head coach Wilk.

Max Allen is a 6'1" right-handed pitcher from Highland Park IL.

 

CornBelter Baseball Selects Jeremy Jones, Luis Fernandez and Nolan Shaffer in Dispersal Draft

The Normal CornBelters selected outfielder Jeremy Jones, shortstop Luis Fernandez and right handed pitcher Nolan Shaffer from the Oakland County Cruisers dispersal draft.

Jones finished last season with a .276 batting average, 9 homers and 62 rbi's.

Fernandez ended his 2010 season hitting .238 with two dingers and 22 rbi's.

Shaffer wound up his 2010 season with a 4-6 record and a 5.21 era.

 

Casey Kopitzke Returns to Manage The Peoria Chiefs for 2011

The Chicago Cubs and the Peoria Chiefs announced the 2011 field staff for the Peoria Chiefs.  Manager Casey Kopitzke returns for a second season after leading the Chiefs to a 71-66 record in 2010. 

Kopitzke will be joined by Springfield IL native and former Chicago Cub reliever Jeff Fassero.  Fassero will be in charge of the Chiefs pitching staff.  Also assigned to the Chiefs are hitting coach Ricardo Medina, who was with the Chiefs in 2005, and athletic trainer A.J. Larson.

Corey Schultz Named to 2011 NAIA Baseball Preseason All-American Team

Corey Schultz

University of St. Francis junior right handed pitcher Corey Schultz was named to the 2011 preseason NAIA Baseball All-American Team.  Schultz is the only player from the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, one of 17 players to be named to the team and a 2010 NAIA Baseball Honorable Mention All-American.

The Fighting Saint closer Schultz led the team with nine victories, a 2.59 era, five saves and a 9-1 record.  Corey Schultz is from Kankakee, IL.


 

Kane County Cougars Host Free Coaches Clinic February 5th 2011

The Kane County Cougars are holding a free coaches clinic on Saturday February 5th 2011 featuring instructors from both the Kane County Cougars and the Kansas City Royals organizations.

The clinic is intended for adult coaches and not youth players and is open to the public. 

Clinic instructors include:

Vance Johnson - Kane County Cougars Manger
Mark Davis - Kansas City Royals minor league pitching coordinator
Tony Tijerina - Kansas City Royals minor league field coordinator
Andre Davis - Kansas City Royals minor league hitting coach.

You can download a clinic brochure by following the link below:

Kane County Cougar Coaches Clinic

Judson University Baseball Picked to Win 2011 CCAC

The Judson University Eagles are picked to win the 2011 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference from NAIA conference polls.

Judson won 39 games last season, which was the most in Eagle history.

CCAC NAIA Preseason Poll:

1. Judson University
2. University of St. Francis
3. Robert Morris University
4. Saint Xavier University
5. Olivet Nazarene University
6. Trinity International University

Tim Johnson Replaces Fran Riordan as Lake County Fielders Manager

Less than three months after announcing that Fran Riordan will return as field manager for the Lake County Fielders the organization has hired former MLB manager Tim Johnson to manage the club for the 2011 season. 

Johnson, who most recently managed the Independent Tuscon Toros, managed the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1998 season.  The Toros are not fielding a team for the 2011 season with the hopes of Triple-A baseball returning to Tuscon. 

Riordan went 41-59 with the Fielders last season.


 

Kevin Tokarski and Nick Martini earn Preseason All-American Honors







Kevin Tokarski

 Second baseman Kevin Tokarski and outfielder Nick Martini land on the 11th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-American Team.

Illinois State University second baseman Kevin Tokarski earned his fifth and sixth All-American honors as the redshirt junior was named to both the NCBWA and Louisville Slugger preseason All-American third-teams.  Tokarski hit .412 with 25 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs and 53 rbi's last season for the Redbirds.  Kevin is from Downers Grove North High School.



Nick Martini



Kansas State outfielder Nick Martini, who was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and a second team ABCA All-American following his sophomore season, earned third team honors on the 2011 NCBWA All-American Team.  Martini hit .416 with 4 homers, 17 doubles and 59 rbi's for the Wildcats as a sophomore.  Nick is from Prairie Ridge High School and lives in Crystal Lake, IL.

Catcher Doug Beath Signs With Oakland University

Oakland University head baseball coach John Musachio announced the signing of Doug Beath to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Grizzlies for the 2012 season.

Beath is a 6'3" switch hitting catcher from Barrington High School will bring the Grizzlies power from both sides of plate along with a big time arm.  With Doug's athleticism and exceptional throwing ablility makes him a versatile player with the ability to play other positions, according to coach Musachio.

Southern Illinois University Names Ken Henderson Interim Head Baseball Coach

Director of Athletics Mario Moccia announced that Ken Henderson was named the interim head baseball coach for the 2011 season for the Salukis.

Henderson, who has been with the Saluki baseball program for over 20 years, succeeds his longtime friend Dan Callahan who passed away on November 15th.  Henderson served as interim head coach midway through the 1994 season where he guided the Saluki's to a 12-8 record under his direction.



 

Jeff Schalk Signs With Alabama Birmingham Baseball

University of Alabama Birmingham head baseball coach Brian Shoop recently announced the signing of outfielder Jeff Schalk to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Blazers for the 2012 season.

Schalk, who is from Wheaton North High School, is listed as the sixth best player in Illinois by Perfect Game USA.  Jeff hit .344 with with 8 home runs, 7 doubles and 41 rbi's as a junior at Wheaton North.

Kyle Wood Signs With Purdue Baseball

Kyle Wood, left handed pitcher/Outfielder, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play with Purdue Unviersity for the 2012 season.

Wood, who is a first team All-State as an outfielder, batted .538 with 14 home runs and 56 rbi's along with posting a 7-2 record with a 1.72 ERA on the mound as a junior.

Kyle is from St. Laurence High School in Burbank, IL.


 

Northwestern University Baseball Sign Cody Libman and Brandon Magallones

Northwestern University head baseball coach Paul Stevens announced the signing of Cody Libman and Brandon Magallones to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 season.

Catcher/RHP Cody Libman, Glenview, IL, Glenbrook South High School, gives the Wildcats flexibility as both a catcher and a pitcher and coach Stevens believes Cody will bring depth behind the plate and has potential on the mound.

Right handed pitcher Brandon Magallones, Manhattan, IL, Providence Catholic High School, has one of the best arms that Stevens has run into in a number of years.  "Brandon throws low 90's right now and he is still developing" according to Stevens.



 

Southern Illinois Salukis Baseball Sign Four for 2012

The Southern Illinois Saluki baseball program announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 baseball season. 

Right handed pitcher Sam Coonrod, Carrollton High School, Carrolton, IL, is a three sport athlete and went 8-1 with a 1.10 era his junior year.

Left handed pitcher Nathan Dorris, Rend Lake College, Marion High School, threw 49 innings last season at Rend Lake College.  Nathan also played in the Prospect League last summer going 2-4 with a 2.91 era for the Richmond River Rats.

Middle infielder J.C. Davis, DuQuoin High School, hit .436, 5 homers, 31 rbi's and 23 stolen bases as a junior.  J.C.'s father also played baseball for the Saluki's.

Outfielder Trevor Murphy, Lemont High School, left handed hitter Murphy hit .296  and stole 11 bases as a junior at Lemont.  Trevor is also a wide receiver on the Lemont football team.

Butler University Baseball Signs Austin Miller and Eric Stout

Butler University head baseball coach Steve Farley announced the signing of two Illinois players to National Letters of Intent, Austin Miller and Eric Stout.

Austin Miller is a shortstop from Grayslake Central High School and choose Butler over the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Miller hit .345 with 5 homers as a junior at Grayslake.

Left handed pitcher Eric Stout is from St. Francis High School in Wheaton, IL.  Stout was the top left handed pitcher at Butler's prospect camp and an All-Conference and All-Area player as a junior at St. Francis.


 

Lewis Baseball Signs Baldassano, Barajas and Quick to National Letters of Intent

Lewis University Baseball Tim McDonough announced the signing of Anthony Baldassano, Mike Barajas and James Quick to National Letters of Intent and join the Lewis University baseball program in 2011-2012.

Third Baseman Anthony Baldassano, Woodridge, Nazareth Academy, was named the best defensive player in the summer state high school tournament, hit .432 with 27 rbi's as a junior.

Shortstop Mike Barajas, Chicago, Nazareth Academy, listed as the 56th best player in Illinois by the PrepBaseballReport, batted .412 with 17 doubles as a junior.

Catcher/Infielder James Quick, Wonder Lake, Woodstock North, hit .414 with 5 homers, two triples and a .490 on base average.

Joliet JackHammers, Lake County Fielders, Schaumburg Flyers and Rockford RiverHawks Join Newly Formed North American League

The Northern League, Golden Baseball League and the United League announced they have joined forces to create a new professional baseball league to be known as the North American League. 

The league will cover many of the major markets in the U.S. and Canada and expand in 2012.   The North American League will be second to Major League Baseball in terms of the number of teams and geographies.  The existing leagues will keep their names and their business activities and will now adhere to a consistant set of league rules and by-laws.  The league will have 16 - 20 teams in the U.S. and Canada in 2011.

Illinois teams from the Northern League who will be currently joining forces with the North American League are the Joliet JackHammers, Lake County Fielders, Rockford Riverhawks and the Schaumburg Flyers.

Dayton Flyers Baseball Sign Kevin Colburn, Max Hoefer, A.J. Ryan and Tyler Seawall

University of Dayton head baseball coach Tony Vittorio announced the addition of four Illinois baseball players to their 2011-2012 roster.

Infielder Kevin Colburn, Warren Township High School, Gurnee, IL, - Colburn is a two-time North Suburban All-Conference team selection with 12 homeruns in the last two years.

Infielder Max Hoefer, Freeport High School, Freeport, IL - Hoefer hit .340 for the Pretzels last year.

Firstbaseman A.J. Ryan, Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, IL - Ryan hit .400 with 40 rbi's last season.

Right Handed Pitcher Tyler Sewall, Fenwick High School, Oak Park, IL - Seawall was the Friars workhorse throwing 61 innings with 53 strikeouts and a Chicago Catholic League All-Conference Team member as a pitcher.

 

Augustana Holiday Baseball Camps

Augustana College will hold two holiday camps in December:

Pitching Camp - December 22nd and 23rd - for ages 10-16.  Camp is from 8:30 am to 10:30 am and provides one on one instruction from the Augustana coaching staff.

Hitting Camp - December 27th and 28th - ages 8-12 will meet from 9-11 am and ages 13-18 will meet from 11:30-1:30 pm.  The Augustana coaching staff will provide instruction.

For more information contact Head Baseball Coach Greg Wallace at 309-794-7252.  You can follow the link below for a registration form.

Augustana Holiday Baseball Camp

Eastern Illinois Baseball Sign Seven to National Letters of Intent

Eastern Illinois University Baseball coach Jim Schmitz announced the signing of seven student athletes to National Letters of Intent.  Joining the Panther baseball program are the following:

Keith Koser, RHP, Wabash Valley College

Nathan Sopena, Infielder, Heartland Community College

Andrew Grahn, RHP, North Clay High School, Louisville, IL

James Howell, Outfielder, Jacksonville High School

Dane Sauer, Middle Infielder, West Chicago High School

Brant Valach, Infielder, Carl Sandburg High School

Cody Volger, RHP/1B, Lincoln-Way West High School

 

Valpo Baseball Signs Seven Players From Illinois

Valparaiso University Head Baseball Coach Tracy Woodson announced the signing of 7 Illinois baseball players to National Letters of Intent.

Infielder Andy Burns is from Edwardsville, IL and is a transfer from Heartland Community College.  The left handed hitting middle infielder hit .336 in 42 games at Heartland last spring.

Outfielder Mark Johnson is from Evanston Township High School with "tremendous speed and athleticisim" stated by coach Woodson.  Johnson has been timed at 6.7 in the 60.

Ryan Kennedy, Warren Township High School, Gurnee, IL, is a 6' 160 lb right handed pitcher who has "three pitches and a projectable body" according to coach Woodson.

Right handed pitcher Ben Mahar, Mundelein High School, was rated as the 50th best player in Illinois by the PrepBaseballReport.  Ben is 6'4" and 210 lbs with a power arm.

Spencer Mahoney, Lyons Township High School, La Grange Park, is a 6'4" 180 left handed hitting shortstop and ranked as one of the top ten shortstops of the 2011 recruiting class and #48 overall by the PrepBaseballReport.

Left handed pitcher Devin Picknell, St. Patrick High School, Chicago, IL.  "Devin can be one of the biggest surprises of this recruiting class" according to Woodson.

Catcher Rob Rabakozi, Reavis High School, Burbank, IL, is ranked as the 5th best catcher and 44th overall player by the PrepBaseballReport.  "Rob has a strong arm, a projectable pro-type body and very athletic" said coach Woodson.