My favorite photos from the 2011 Illinois Baseball season

Throughout the 2011 Illinois baseball season, there have been photos that I go back to and think “I really like that picture”.  Some may not have made it into an IBR article but for one reason or another I find qualities in it that make me think it’s worth seeing. Technically, they may not be [...]

Interview: Sports Photographer Cary Frye

Occasionally, I like to do interviews here are on IBR but this time I was really looking forward to doing this one.  The subject this time is sports photographer Cary Frye.  Those baseball fans  who attend games at Illinois Field will probably recognize Cary with his signature orange cap usually worn backwards.  As an amateur [...]

Three things I learned from my umpire friend

I have a friend named Todd who is an umpire in Division III back east.  Whenever we get talking, the discussion always gets back to baseball and umpiring.  He knows I’m an Illinois baseball fan so I like to pump him with questions.  Sometimes they revolve around obscure rules and odd situations I may have [...]

Top Ten things to bring to an Illini baseball home game

10.  A warm jacket.  Those early season games get pretty chilly. 9.  Money…but only if you want to get something from the concession stand.  Illini baseball games are free this year! 8.  Your Orange and Blue gear.  Wear it proud. 7.  Your voice.  Let the Illini players know you’re there! 6.  A glove.  Handy to [...]

Interview with Assistant Sports Information Director Ben Taylor

Ben Taylor is my go-to guy for information about the University of Illinois baseball program.  Ben serves as Assistant Sports Information Director at the U of I and specifically works with the Illini baseball, wrestling and football teams.  It his job to coordinate publicity for the sports programs and work with the media.  From my [...]

Interview with Michigan baseball blogger from MGoBlog.com

This weekend, the Illini take on the University of Michigan Wolverines for a three game series.  To get a good feel for the team, I’m interviewing fomerlyanonymous who blogs about the Michigan baseball team at mgoblog.com.  On to the interview: Illinois Baseball Report:  Michigan outfielder Ryan LaMarre, who was injured in the first weekend of [...]

Interview with Larry Fall of Penn State blog Happy Valley Hardball

Larry Fall blogs about sports at Penn State University and his blog, Happy Valley  Hardball covers the baseball team at PSU.  Happy Valley takes a unique look at the team as it is very stats-oriented and Larry even occasionally expands his coverage to the conference in general.  In light of Illinois’ opening Big Ten series [...]

IBR Q&A: Eight Questions for Illini Pete Cappetta

My first memory of Pete Cappetta was during a particularly one-sided loss against Penn State in 2008, his freshman year. Cappetta was our backup shortstop back then and wasn’t getting a lot of playing time yet. While Illinois lost that game 16-5, Cappetta’s three-run homerun in the seventh inning (seen right as he high-fives the [...]

The 2010 Illini baseball roster by the numbers

Though it’s still freezing here in Central Illinois, we have to remind ourselves that opening day IS less than two weeks.  Let’s find out about the University of Illinois baseball by the numbers. There are 34 players listed according to the roster.  I’ve sorted, filtered, and broken it down to get a sense of exactly [...]

Illini Baseball to play at Busch Stadium in April

I hadn’t even noticed this when I first glanced the 2010 Illinois schedule.   However, someone pointed out to me that in April, the team are in for a treat.  On April 7th, they will play at the St Louis Cardinals’ home field, Busch Stadium.  Outstanding!  They will play the University of Missouri Tigers.  I’m not [...]