Illinois Baseball Report » coach westray

Pitching coach Westray dismissed by Coach Hartleb

The Baseball Zealot — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 12:58:29 +0000

After six years as the University of Illinois pitching coach, Ken Westray has been given his walking papers by Coach Hartleb.

From the News-Gazette:

“I have decided to go in a different direction with our pitching coach position,” he wrote. “I want to thank Ken Westray for his work and contributions over the past six years, and I wish him well in the future.”

Westray has been with the team for 15 years as pitching coach and before that, assistant coach. He became a pitching coach when Coach Hartleb was hired as head skipper after the 2005 season. Despite winning the Big Ten title and the Big Ten Tournament championship, the team ERA ranked ninth in the conference with a 4.97 mark in 2011.

Who will replace Westray as pitching coach? It’s anyone’s guess. Is Hartleb grooming volunteer assistant coach Drew Dickinson for the job? It’s possible. He’s held that job for the Shaumburg Flyers in the independent Northern League.

Thank you and good luck to Ken Westray for all he did!!

Photos of Tuesday’s practice

The Baseball Zealot — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 03:54:16 +0000

I wandered in to see how the clubhouse addition was coming along and then watched some practice, too. Here are some photos. You see Brandon Hohl at his familiar thirdbase position at the top.

Coach Westray imparting some sage advice to some of the pitchers.

The outfielders were shagging some fly balls with the help of Coach Snider.

The pitchers were working on covering first today. Matt Dittman feeds a ball to one here.

It was exciting to see Will Strack pitching to live batters today.

More photos at the gallery or watch the slideshow.

Photos of Wednesday’s Practice: My first visit to Illinois Field this year

The Baseball Zealot — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:46:41 +0000

Today was my first trip out to Illinois Field. The second I stepped outside the building I work, I heard the ping of the bats (yes, I work that close). I walked across the cemetery that separated me from the field and voila!, I was there.

It’s been a good four months since I’ve been there. The last time I stepped onto the grounds of Illinois Field was the Orange and Blue World Series in early October.

Sure it wasn’t a real game. Yeah, it was just practice. But it sure was nice to see some baseball at Illinois Field.

Here are some photos. You can see some more at the Photo Gallery.

Yes, it was 60 degrees today but the stands still had a smattering of snow.

As usual for practice, the Illini wore their gray unis today.

Today it was mostly bunting and situational hitting practice. Here, Coach Snider throws some batting practice.

A good shot of freshman thirdbaseman Brandon Hohl

Josh Parr takes in a pop fly.

Aaron Johnson runs one out.

Catcher Adam Davis takes his turn at bunting.

Coach Westray holds a clinic for the pitchers