Illinois Baseball Report

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 [...]

Filed under: Spring Practice on March 10th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

A whimsical topic here.  How many of you pay attention to post-game music at Illinois Field?  You know, the song you hear as you are leaving the stands?  I always thought it had a good beat and wondered what it was.  I even asked a few in the know what it was to no avail.  [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized on November 21st, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

All these times I’ve crossed the cemetery on Florida Avenue on my way to Illinois Field to watch the Illini play, I never realized I was passing by the gravestone of a former major leaguer. 
I learn from Kyle of the Chillini blog:
Big Jeff (Pfeffer) was born and raised in Champaign and attended the University [...]

Filed under: Feature on November 3rd, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

This game ranks up there as one of the best baseball games I’ve ever seen considering what was at stake, how many were in attendance and what actually went down.  And in case the photo above doesn’t give it away, Illinois won.
 

With Alex Wimmers (above left) and Phil Haig (above right) on [...]

Filed under: Game Recaps on May 8th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

It’s around noon as I write this and it’s drizzling pretty steady here at the University of Illinois.  Checking the forecasts, there’s a chance it will clear up for tonight (optimistic) or we’re in for a wet game tonight (realistic). 
[ Update:  At 2:28pm, the sun finally peeked out from under the clouds and things [...]

Filed under: Game Previews on May 8th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Matt Dittman practices his “mean” face before the game with Eastern.
It’s late so I’m going to keep this short.  The Illini are heading to Marion, IL to play Coach Hartleb’s alma mater, Southern Illinois University.  Hartleb will play down his time at SIU but word has it he was pretty good as a catcher with [...]

Filed under: Game Previews on April 14th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

Illini fans, get ready… this weekend is the first home series of 2009!
It might be a bit chilly for Friday’s game.  Forecasts show sunny and a high of 49 degrees but all things considered, we’ve endured worst.  The early 3:05pm game time will help with that (good thing because it will be a low of [...]

Filed under: Game Previews on March 11th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

After soundly defeating LSU 6-2 today, one has to wonder if Saturday’s 22-10 drubbing by the Tigers was just really bad dream.
Much kudos goes to starter Ben Reeser who was one out away from a 3-hit shutout.  It was at that point, however, when the Tigers pumped some life back into the game.  An Ochinko [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized on March 8th, 2009 | Leave a Comment! »

…which means this time, you’ll have to pay to get in.  But first…
At this moment
Illinois is leading Southern Illinois in the top of 8th, 5-2.  Daniel Webb has gone 3 for 4.  Brandon Wikoff and Ryan Hastings both have two hits.  Wikoff came into game hitting .397 so he may have cracked the .400 mark [...]

Filed under: Game Previews, Game Recaps on April 1st, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »

I stopped by Illinois Field to observe the new turf for the first time.  I had the camera with me and took a few photos.  The gates were closed, of course, but I managed to zoom in enough for you to get the idea.
This is a few mounds of Hilltopper Mound & Mound Homeplate Clay [...]

Filed under: UI Baseball Program and Management on February 11th, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »