The Illinois baseball players that have been named to the D3Baseball.com 2012 Preseason All-American Team.
First Team All-Americans:
Catcher Mike Nodzenski from Grinnel College hit .465 with 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 47 rbi's in 2011. Mike is from Naperville North HS and lives in Naperville Illinois.
DH/Outfielder Cam Stevens from Concordia University Chicago hit .453 with 4 homers, 19 doubles and 45 rbi's last season. Stevens attended East Leyden HS and lives in Rosemont Illinois.
3B/Pitcher Trey Martin from Wheaton College went 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA on the mound and at the plate Trey hit .362 with 8 homers, 3 triples, 11 doubles and had 36 rbi's in 2011. Trey went to Wheaton North HS and lives in Wheaton Illinois.
Second Team All-Americans:
Outfielder Josh Davidson from Aurora University hit .429 last season with the Spartans. Josh is from Cypress California.
Honorable Mention:
Catcher Nick Skala, Concordia University Chicago
1B Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan
Outfielder Justin Zeller, Wheaton College
Grand Valley State University baseball welcomes top newcomers from Illinois for the 2012 season.
Grand Valley State posted a 52-5 record in 2011 and finished seventh in the Division II World Series.
Listed as their top newcomers for 2012 are:
RHP Anthony Campanella, Anthony transferred from Elgin Community College and lives in Carol Stream Illinois. Campanella redshirted in 2010.
Outfielder Chris Ripple, transfer from Oakton Community College, Chris lives in Morton Grove Illinois.
Anthony and Chris will join Kyle Zegarac, Lansing Ilinois, Kyle Schepel, South Holland Illinois, Dan Lodolce, Melrose Park Illinois, and Patrick Kelly, Brookfield Illinois as Grand Valley State baseball players from Illinois.
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.
The top baseball players from Illinois to watch this year in the Southeastern Conference.
RHP Ian Gardeck, transfer from Angelina College and is from Lake in the Hills Illinois. Ian was the 8th round pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 2011 MLB Draft.
RHP/Relief Pitcher Brett Huber, Ole Miss, Brett attended Althoff Catholic HS and lives in Belleville Illinois. Huber went 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 4 saves last season.
Here is the list of the top baseball players to watch from Illinois for 2012 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Projected Relief Pitcher of the Year:
Kenny Long, Illinois State, Kenny is from Dundee Crown HS and lives in Fox River Grove Illinois. Long set the ISU record with 15 career saves, went 4-1 with a .092 ERA last season.
Projected Player of the Year:
1B Chris Serritella, Southern Illinois Carbondale, Chris attended Loyola Academy and lives in Glenview Illinois. Chris redshirted in 2011 but was drafted anyway by the Royals in the 31st round.
Top Players to Watch:
OF Kevin Hall, Wichita State, Kevin is from Glenwood HS and lives in Springfield Illinois. Kevin hit .254 with 3 homers, 13 doubles and stole 24 bases last season.
SS Alex Staehely, Creighton, Alex attended Benet Academy and lives in Sugar Grove Illinois. Staehley hit .285 with 3 homers, 23 doubles and 36 rbi's in 2011.
2B Kevin Tokarski, Illinois State, Kevin went to Downers Grove North HS and lives in Downers Grove Illinois. Tokarski hit .282 with 3 homers, 30 rbi's and stole 25 bases last season.
Catcher Matt Mirabal, Illinois State, Matt is from Mount Carmel HS and lives in Chicago Illinois. Mirabal hit .247 with 6 doubles and 25 rbi's last season.
Pitcher Chris Razo, Illinois State, Razo is a transfer from Heartland and lives in Chillicothe Ilinois. Chris was the pitcher of the year at Heartland.
Pitcher Otto Roberts, Illinois State, Otto is a transfer from Southwestern Illinois and lives in Belleville Illinois.
Outfielder Jordan Siversten, Southern Illinois, Jordan is from Carmel Catholic and lives in Richmond Illinois. Siversten hit .297 with 9 homers, 16 doubles and 48 rbi's in 2011.
Outfielder Nick Johnson, Southern Illinois, Nick attended O'Fallon HS and lives in O'Fallon Illinois. Johnson hit .271 with 4 homers, 8 doubles and 38 rbi's last season.
LHP Cody Forsythe, Southern Illinois, Cody is from Calvert City KY.
LHP Nathan Dorris, Southern Illinois, Nathan is a transfer from Rend Lake CC and lives in Marion Illinois.
RHP Dakota Bacus, Indiana State, Dakota is a transfer from Southeastern CC, attended Moline HS and lives in Moline Illinois.
RHP Sam Johns, Evansville, Sam attended Civic Memorial HS and lives in Bethalto Illinois. Sam was injured in 2011.
SS Jason Leblebijian, Bradley, Jason is from Prospect HS and lives in Arlington Hts. Illinois. Jason Hit .315 with 14 doubles last season.
2B Rob Elliott, Bradley, Rob attended Nequa Valley HS and lives in Naperville Illinois. Elliott hit .276 with 4 homers, 21 rbi's and stole 28 bags last year.
LHP Joe Bircher, Bradley, Joe is from Omaha NE.
RHP John Nasshan, Bradley, John is from Niles West HS and lives in Niles Illinois. Nasshan went 3-8 with a 4.55 ERA last season.
The top baseball players from Illinois and projected finish of Illinois teams in the Summit League for 2012. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in their preseason polls.
Western Illinois is projected to finish 2nd behind Oral Roberts.
Top Players from Illinois:
LHP/DH Rich Mascheri, Western Illinois, Rich is a transfer from College of Lake County, attended Wauconda HS and lives in Wauconda Illinois. Mascheri redshirted in 2011 but hit .385 last summer and was a West Coast League All-Star.
Catcher Manny Reyes, Western Illinois, Manny is from Santa Monica California.
Shortstop Austin Cowen, Western Illinois, Austin is from Gillette Wyoming.
Outfielder Matt Igara, Western Illinois, Matt is a transfer from Heartland, attended Jacobs HS and lives in Algonquin Illinois. Igara hit .317 with 4 homers and 19 doubles last season.
First baseman Tom Lilja, Western Illinois, Tom is from Lincoln-Way East HS and lives in Mokena Illinois. Lilja hit .281 with 11 homers 8 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.
The top baseball players to watch from Illinois in the Ohio Valley Conference for the 2012 season.
SS Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri State, went to Goreville HS and lives in Goreville Illinois. - Parmley hit .308 with 5 homers, 17 doubles and 30 rbi's last season.
3B Zach Hawkins, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Zach attended Pinckneyville HS and lives in Pinckneyville Illinois. Hawkins hit .345 with 3 homers, 12 doubles and 44 rbi's in 2011.
OF Devin Caldwell, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Devin went to Civic Memorial HS and lives in Cottage Hills Illinois. Caldwell hit .314 with 6 homers, 16 doubles and 53 rbi's last season.
RHP Travis Felax, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Travis attended Triad HS and lives in Troy Illinois. Travis went 5-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 2011.
The 2012 top baseball players to watch in the Mid American Conference from Illinois or on Illinois teams. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in the pre-season polls.
Relief Pitcher Dietrich Enis, Central Michigan, LHP Dietrich is from Lincoln Way East HS and lives in Frankfort Illinois.
RHP Jon Weaver, Central Michigan, Jon is from East Leyden HS and lives in Franklin Park Illinois.
Outfielder Bryce Redeker, Miami Ohio, Bryce is a transfer from Kankakee Community College, went to Bishop McNamara HS and lives in Watseka Illinois.
1B Jeff Zimmerman, Northern Illinois, Jeff is from Andrew HS and lives in Tinley Park Illinois.
SS Alex Jones, Northern Illinois, Alex is from Kansas City Kansas.
Outfielder Jamison Wells, Northern Illinois, Jamison is from Combined Locks WI.
3B Troy White, Northern Illinois, Troy went to Whitney Young HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.
RHP Tony Manville, Northern Illinois, Tony is a transfer from Iowa, went to Mount Carmel HS and lives in New Lenox Illinois.
Relief Pitcher Kyle Glancy, Northern Illinois, Kyle attended Oak Park River Forest HS and lives in Oak Park Illinois.
LHP Casey Webber, Western Michigan, Casey is from Providence Catholic HS and lives in Tinley Park Illinois.
3B Ryan McMillin, Western Michigan, Ryan attended Lyons Township HS and lives in LaGrange Illinois.
The 2012 Illinois baseball players to watch this year in the Horizon League. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in their pre-season polls in the Horizon League.
LHP Tyler Deetjen, Valparaiso, Tyler is from St. Charles East HS and lives in St. Charles Illinois.
3B Patrick Guinane, Butler, Patrick is from Glenbrook South HS and lives in Glenview, Illinois.
OF Mike Hoscheit, Butler, Mike is from St. Charles East HS and lives in St. Charles Illinois.
The Midwest Collegiate League has another new team for the 2012 summer season, Joliet. The Midwest Collegiate League announced the club will be owned by Eloot Sports and Entertainment, same organization that owns the Will County CrackerJacks, which is Jamie Toole. Toole was the GM for the now defunct Joliet JackHammers.
The Joliet club will announce their name this month and have reported the signing of three players so far. Joliet will play their games at Joliet Junior College.
Judson University in Elgin Illinois features two NAIA players to watch in 2012.
Senior outfielder Matt McHenry who hit .299 with 6 home runs, 17 doubles and 41 rbi's in 2011. Matt is from Blue Spring CO.
Junior RHP/DH T.J. Swank hit .331 with 6 homers, 9 doubles, and 39 rbi's and on the mound T.J. went 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA and 6 saves in 15 appearances last season. Swank is from Crystal Lake Illinois and transferred from Coastal Carolina.
The top Illinois junior college baseball players to watch in 2012 who were recommended by junior college and four year university coaches across the nation.
LHP Derek Thompson, John A. Logan, Derek is from Teutopolis Illinois
LHP Aaron Hauge, Heartland, Aaron is from Homewood Illinois
LHP Bo Weir, Parkland, Bo is from Kokomo IN
LHP Troy Mannebach, Oakton, Troy is from Appleton WI
RHP Jeremy Stawychny, Heartland, Jeremy is from Franklin Park Illinois
RHP Bill McFarland, Southwestern Illinois, Bill is from Edwardsville Illinois
RHP David Toth, Danville Area, David is from Danville Illinois
RHP Joe Ucho, Prairie State, Joe is from Chicago Illinois
RHP Karl Brecht, Lewis & Clark, Karl is from Michigan
RHP Trevor Vermillion, Joliet, Trevor is from Joliet
1B Dan Eliopulos, Joliet, Dan is from Tinley Park Illinois
1B Jeff Limbaugh, Parkland, Jeff is from Crown Point IN
1B Mike Falloni, Heartland, Mike is from Edwardsville IL
2B Marshal Vallandingham, Southwestern Illinois, Marshal is from Mascoutah
2B Luis Bruno, Southeastern Illinois, Luis is from Puerto Rico
2B Ryan Black, Danville Area, Ryan is from Indiana
3B Cody Daily, Southwestern Illinois, Cody is from Granite City Illinois
3B Joe Czarnecki, Prairie State, Joe is from Oak Forest Illinois
SS Tyler Palmer, Oakton, Tyler is from Georgia
SS Westley Minton, Parkland, Westley is from Ohio
SS Chase Matheson, McHenry,
OF Logan Leverett, Southeastern Illinois, Logan is from Harrisburg Illinois
OF Neil DeCook, Kankakee, Neil is from Kankakee Illinois
OF Brian Doll, Southwestern Illinois Brian is from Greenville
OF Joe Dunn, Lewis & Clark, Joe is from Alton Illinois
OF Tanner Hahn, Danville Area, Tanner is from Indiana
DH Dylan Johnson, Heartland, Dylan is from Bloomington Illinois
1B/C Blake Baker, Kankakee, Blake is from Streator Illinois
Here are the division II baseball Midwest Region players to watch in 2012 who are from Illinois. The list is selected by the ABCA All-American Baseball Committee chaired by Rudy Garbalosa of Lynn University.
Pre-Season All-Americans:
Outfielder Andrew Brauer, Lewis University, Andrew transferred from the College of Dupage, went to Montini HS and lives in Bolingbrook Illinois.
Outfielder Mike Bolling, Lewis University, Mike attended Guerin Prep HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.
RHP Brian Thompson, Quincy University, Brian went to Monmouth-Roseville HS and lives in Monmouth Illinois.
Players to Watch:
RHP Pat Lahey, Lewis University, Pat attended Downers Grove South HS and lives in Downers Grove Illinois.
Outfielder Mitchell Broughton, Quincy University, Mitchell went to Centralia HS and lives in Centralia Illinois.
RHP Eric Meyerchick, Saint Joseph's College, Eric went to TF South HS and lives in Lansing Illinois.
Newcomers to Watch:
Shortstop Mike Barajas, Lewis University, Mike is from Nazareth HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.
The Pre-Season Big Ten Baseball projected order of finish along with top players to watch in 2012. The list was determined by the coaches from the Big Ten.
Projected Order of finish:
Purdue
Michigan State
Minnesota
Illinois
Nebraska
Ohio St.
Michigan
Penn St.
Indiana
Iowa
Northwestern
Projected Pitcher of the Year:
RHP - Tony Bucciferro - Michigan State, Tony is from Minooka HS and lives in Joliet Illinois.
Other Top Players to Watch from Illinois:
3B Brandon Hohl, Illinois, Brandon is from Lincoln Way East and lives in Mokena.
OF Willie Argo, Illinois, Willie is from Davenport Iowa.
RHP Kevin Johnson, Illinois, Kevin is from Mount Carmel HS and lives in Midlothian Illinois.
Relief Pitcher Matt Milroy, Illinois, Matt is from Marmion Academy and lives in Batavia Illinois.
LHP Jarred Hippen, Iowa, Jarred is from Rock Falls HS and lives in Rock Falls Illinois.
RHP Nick Brown, Iowa, Nick is from Wheaton Warrenville HS and lives in Warrenville Illinois.
2B Mike McQuillan, Iowa, Mike is from Brother Rice HS and lives in Evergreen Park IL.
RHP/2B Zach Morton, Northwestern, Zach is from Evanston HS and lives in Evanston Illinois.
RHP Luke Farrell, Northwestern, Luke is from Weslake OH.
DH/P Paul Snieder, Northwestern, Paul is from Hawaii.
SS Trevor Stevens, Northwestern, Trevor is from Glenbrook South HS and lives in Glenview Illinois.
Elmhurst College will host a winter baseball prospect camp for high school players in grades 9-12 on January 29, 2012 for pitchers and catchers and on February 12, 2012 for position players.
Both sessions will run from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and the cost is $75 per session or $100 if you register for both sessions.
For more information please click on the link below.
Elmhurst Winter Baseball Prospect Camp
NCAA Division III top baseball players to watch from Illinois D3 teams in 2012 as selected by Division III coaches across the U.S.
Left Handed Pitchers:
Kevin Crowley from Illinois Benedictine - Kevin went 4-0 with a 3.49 ERA in 2011.
Nick Mehn, Illinois Wesleyan - Nick was 7-2 with a 3.56 ERA in nine starts last season.
Nick Soldano and Steve Kuligowski from North Park, Nick was 5-1 with a 3.91 ERA and Steve went 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 2011.
Right Handed Pitchers:
Drey Gay, Aurora - Drew went 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 79 1/3 innings last season.
Joe Sweeney, Illinois Wesleyan - Joe was 6-5 with 3.33 ERA in 78 1/3 innings in 2011.
Catchers:
AJ Nathan, Illinois Wesleyan - Nathan hit .321 with 2 homers, 10 doubles and 67 rbi's last season.
Tom Higgins, Illinois Benedictine - Tom hit .317 with 7 doubles and 50 rbi's in 2011.
First Baseman:
Brett Van Asdlen, Aurora - Brett hit 6 homers while batting .292 with 46 rbi's last season.
Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan - Kevin hit .398 with 15 home runs, 11 doubles and 51 rbi's in 2011.
Tim Gindville, Illinois Benedictine - Tim hit .290 with 5 doubles and 24 rbi's last year.
Second Baseman:
Brian Evans, Elmhurst College - Brian hit .319 with 7 doubles in 2011.
Third Baseman:
Ryan Javech, North Park - Ryan only played in 4 games in 2011 and hit .118.
Jon Erickson, Illinois Wesleyan - Jon hit .368 with 11 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.
Tim Mackey, Aurora - Tim hit .357 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 27 rbi's last season.
Shortstops:
Zach Hofer, Elmhurst - Zach hit .372 with 4 homers, 14 doubles and 34 rbi's in 2011.
Outfielders:
Josh Davidson, Aurora - Josh hit .429 with 3 homers, 2 triples and 35 rbi's last season.
Justin Zeller, Wheaton College - Justin hit .355 with 9 homers, 11 doubles, 3 triples and 36 rbi's in 2011.
Kevin Hendricks, Illinois Benedictine - Kevin hit .386 with 3 homers, 11 doubles and 44 rbi's last season.
Mike Foley, Aurora - Foley hit .362 with 4 homers, 6 triples and 14 doubles in 2011.
Ryan Adams, Aurora - Ryan hit .369 with 3 homers, 9 doubles and 36 rbi's last season.
Designated Hitters and Multi-Position Players:
Austin Driggers, Wheaton College - Austin hit .353 with 2 homers, 11 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.
Bobby Czarnowski, Illinois Wesleyan - Bobby hit .315 with 5 homers, 6 doubles and 29 rbi's last season.
Brad Medina, North Park - Brad hit .329 with 8 homers, 4 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.
Trey Martin, Wheaton College - Trey hit .362 with 8 homers, 11 doubles and 36 rbi's at the plate and went 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 73 2/3 innings last season.
Southern Illinois Saluki's firstbaseman Chris Serritella was noted by Collegiate Baseball as one of the quality pro prospects that have a chance to be drafted in the first two rounds of the 2012 Major League Baseball Free Agent Draft.
Serritella, who is a redshirt junior, was drafted in 2011 despite missing the entire 2011 season with an injury. Chris was and All-MVC first team member in 2010 and was the MVP of the Prospect League last summer.
Two Illinois independent professional baseball teams announced tryout dates for 2012 recently.
The Normal CornBelters will hold a tryout on Sunday January 29th at Faulkner University in Montgomery Alabama. The tryout starts at 2:00 pm and will cost $60. For more information you can email cparker@normalbaseball.com.
The Gateway Grizzlies will hold a tryout on Sunday April 15th at 8:00 am. The tryout will be held at GCS Ballpark in Sauget Illinois.
For more information on both tryouts you can click on the link below.
Frontier League Team Tryouts
Matt Hamann from Belmont University is the only Illinois baseball player to be named as on of the 2012 top players from Illinois in the Atlantic Sun Conference based on how the coaches vote in their pre-season polls and projections.
Matt is a senior right handed pitcher from Northbrook Illinois and was voted as one of the top players to watch in the Atlantic Sun for 2012.
Five Illinois junior college baseball teams have been ranked in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper in their 2012 Pre-Season polls.
In Division II:
#6 - Heartland Community College
#12 - Parkland College
#14 - Kankakee Community College
#18 - Lincoln Land College
In Division III:
#6 - Joliet Junior College
The Western Illinois Leatherneck baseball program announced the dates for their winter camps beginning in January, 2012.
On Saturday January 28th 2012 the Leathernecks will host two camps for ages 6-14 - a pitching camp from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and skills camp from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The cost of one session is $55 and both is $100.
On Sunday January 29th 2012 or February 5th 2012 Western will host two showcase camps for ages 14-21. Beginning at 10:30 am is the Purple Army Elite Prospect Series for pitchers and catchers. Starting at 2:00 pm is the Exposure and Skill Camp for all players. One camp will cost you $75 and both will cost $125.
For more information you can follow the link below.
Leatherneck Baseball Camps
University of Evansville head baseball coach Wes Carroll announced the signing of Patrick Bellinger from Schaumburg HS to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for the Aces in 2013.
Bellinger is a 6'5" right handed pitcher who was chosen to the USA Baseball Great Lakes Regional Team. Patrick lives in Schaumburg Illinois.
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.
The Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association will hold their annual clinic on January 20th and January 21st at the Westin in Lombard for 2012.
The clinic starts on Friday at 5:30 pm til 9:00 pm and again on Saturday at 8:00 am through 3:15 pm. Registration opens one hour prior to clinic start times each day.
Coaches speaking this year are:
Steve Ruzich - South Suburban College
Mik Aoki - Notre Dame
Darin Hendrickson - St. Louis University
Bill Kurich - Webster University
Rick Heller - Indiana State University
Justin Stone - White Sox Training Academy
Also speaking will be the 2011 State Champion coaches from each class.
Bradley head baseball coach Elvis Dominguez announced the signing of eight student-athletes, four from Illinois, to National Letters of Intent to play baseball for the Braves in the 2013 season.
Here are the Illinois baseball players who signed with Bradley.
Infielder Tyler Leffler from Benton Consolidated HS, Tyler lives in Benton Illinois.
Right handed pitcher Peter Resnick from Glenbrook North HS, Peter lives in Northbrook Illinois.
Right handed pitcher Eric Scheurmann from Palatine HS, Eric lives in Palatine Illinois.
Outfielder Brady Wilkin from Providence Catholic HS, Brady lives in Orland Park Illinois.
The Dekalb County Liners baseball club has chosen to move from the Prospect League to the Midwest Collegiate League for 2012 due to the extensive travel and game schedules along with costs related to the Prospect League.
Dekalb joins former Prospect League team Dupage and the league has plans to announce additional expansion news soon.
The Midwest Collegiate League plays a 46 game schedule beginning on June 1st with a post season playoff and a July 11th All-Star game.
The Dekalb County Liners play their home games in Sycamore Illinois.
The annual I70 baseball coaches clinic will be held on January 16, 2012 in Greenville Illinois.
University of Missouri head baseball coach Tim Jamieson will be one of main guest speakers this year. Last year's speakers included Ron Polk, Fred Corral, Mark Johnson and Mike Pinto.
The clinic will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
For more information click on the link below.
I70 Clinic
Winthrop head baseball coach Tom Ringinos announced the signing of Jordan Crawford to a National Letter of Intent for 2012.
Crawford is a right handed pitcher from Evanston Township HS and lives in Evanston Illinois. Coach Ringinos stated that "Crawford is a three-pitch mix guy that has very good movement on his fastball and has a bright future within the Winthrop program."
The Schaumburg Boomers signed their first native Illinois player by adding outfielder John Wagle from Rock Island Illinois.
Wagle was also a Division III baseball player at Augustana College in Rock Island Ilinois. After Augustana Wagle hooked up with the San Angelo Colts in 2010, hitting .256 in 21 games before being traded to the Rockford RiverHawks. In 2011 Wagle played 15 games for the Fargo-Moorehead RedHawks where John hit .196 and 20 with the Joliet Slammers as a reserve infielder/outfielder where he ended the season with a .161 batting average.
The King College Tornado baseball program announced the signing of six players from Illinois schools.
Infielder/RHP Jose Sola from Kaskaskia Junior College in Centralia Illinois
Infielder Steven Todoschuk from Kaskaskia Junior College in Centralia Illinois
Oufielder Jake Pewitt from Parkland College in Champaign Illinois
Outfielder Tom Hooker from Parkland College in Champaign Illinois and lives in Crystal Lake Illinois
Infielder Landon Wietekamp from Parkland College in Champaign Illinois and lives in Farmersville Illinois
Right handed pitcher Mark Hode from Parkland College in Champaign Illinois and lives in Crystal Lake Illinois
King College is a Division II school in Bristol Tennessee and is a member of Conference Carolinas.
The Illinois Benedictine University baseball program announced the dates for their annual pre-season baseball camp. The camp will be held on four separate Friday's in 2012. The camp is designed to promote the fundamentals to players ages from 7-13 years old.
Dates of the camps are January 27, February 3, February 10 and February 17 and will meet from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Any 1 session costs $40
Any 2 sessions costs $78
Any 3 sessions costs $115
All 4 sessions costs $150
For additional information you can click on the following link:
2012 Benedictine Baseall Camp
Willowbrook catcher Kurt Githcell has signed his Letter of Intent to play baseball at Northwest Missouri State University announced by Bearcats head baseball coach Darin Loe.
Gitchell hit .402 as a junior last season at Willowbrook along with throwing out 68% of runners trying to steal off of Kurt. Gitchell lives in Willowbrook Illinois.
Northwest Missouri State University is a Division II school located in Maryville Missouri.
St. Louis University head baseball coach Darin Hendrickson announced the signing of T.J. Verdun to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for the Billikens for 2013.
T.J. Verdun is primarily a middle infielder who can move around to various positions and will provide versatility for the Billikens according to Henderickson. T.J. is from St. Rita HS in Chicago and T.J. lives in Chicago Illinois.
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.
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.
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 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.
Oakland University head baseball coach John Musachio announced the signing of Shane Brown to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for the Golden Grizzlies for the 2013 season.
Shane is a switch hitting outfielder and left handed pitcher from Simeon HS in Chicago Illinois.
Oakland University is located in Rochester Michigan and particpates in the Summit League along with Western Illinois University.
The University of Illinois at Springfield announced the hiring of Mike Zandler to take over the baseball program as head coach yesterday.
Zandler moves to UIS from Davidson where he spent the last five years as an assistant coach and worked with the pitching staff. In five seasons as pitching coach at Davidson Zandler's pitching staffs averaged an ERA under six only once, which was in 2011 when the bat standard changed for NCAA baseball. In 2011 Davidson finished 7th out of 12 teams in conference earned run average. Davidson was 86-165 overall and 36-104 in conference in Zandlers five seasons.
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 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
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.
The Kansas City Royals announced that Brian Buchanan will be the Kane County Cougars manager for the 2012 season. Buchanan moves up from Rookie affiliate Idaho Falls to take over the Illinois baseball club.
Buchanan was a first round pick by the New York Yankees in 1994 and played in the bigs from 2002 through 2005.
The Cougars will open their 2012 baseball season on April 5th, 2012 in the Quad Cities and open their home schedule on Apirl 9th, 2012 against Beloit. The Kane County Cougars play their games at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva Illinois.
