As we head into the college baseball season, Big Ten Hardball has been busy previewing the Big Ten teams. Today it was Illinois’ turn. As an Illini fan, I’m biased, of course. So it was nice to see these words in the review: Illinois is my dark horse choice in…
This time it’s the Infielders and Outfielders Preview. In 2006, the Illini lost a big chunk of their team to graduation. Well, guess what? The young, green team of 2006 have one more year of experience and are that much better for it Coach Hartleb says: “Shawn plays with such…
Those of you who are Illini fans might be interested in the Hot Stove Banquet which is co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Baseball team and the Fighting Illini Dugout Club. The keynote speaker is White Sox Executive Advisor to GM Rollie Hemond. Head Coach Dan Hartleb really talked this…
Coach Dan Hartleb from the University of Illinois baseball team is our guest this week on Baseball Zealot Radio. A word about Coach Hartleb… usually when I interview someone “important”, I get a little nervous. One sentence from Coach Hartleb and he put me at ease. He seems like such…
The University of Illinois baseball team got a boost when Casey Crosby signed a letter of intent with them. Crosby, a pitcher from Elburn, IL, was ranked #1 in the state by the Truth Prep Baseball Report. “I’m extremely excited by the addition of Casey Crosby to our 2007 recruiting…
Thanks to five shutout innings by Scott Shaw, the UI topped off the 3-game series against University of South Florida with a win to make it a sweep. The Illini won by a score of 7-6. Shawn Roof, Ryan Snowden and Chase Kliment (each starting out well this season) had two…
The University of Illinois baseball team took the field for the first time last night against the Stetson Hatters at the Stetson Invitational in Deland, Florida. Unfortunately, the good guys took it on the chin losing 6-3 due to sloppy play in the field and wasted opportunities. “It was our…
This past weekend, the University of Illinois baseball program took some time to honor recently retired coach Richard “Itch” Jones as well as the 2005 Illinois Big Ten Championship team. About 200 people were in attendance for the program which included video clips of Jones’ tenure at Illinois. After the…
Yes, it’s January but it’s time to start thinking about college baseball. Illini baseball, to be more specific. Their first game is exactly one month away when they take part in the Stetson Invitational in Deland, Florida on the weekend of February 24-26. Their first home game is March 31…
The University of Illinois has named Dan Hartleb the new Illini Baseball Coach. Hartleb has been signed to a four-year contract and replaces Itch Jones who has retired. Hartleb has been the pitching coach for the Illinois team for the entire 15-year tenure of Jones. He has sent 15 pitchers…