Tonight’s scheduled game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday.  Game time is 12:05pm. 

Ruling question

At the ballpark, my friend Robin asked me about runner advancement on a infield fly rule.  The debate centered around if the ball dropped to the ground as opposed if it was caught and if either action affected runner advancement.  I asked my umpire friend (the one from my previous article) and he says:

Runners can advance at any time at their own risk.  Since the batter is called out the force is removed at all bases and the runners need to be tagged in order to be put out.  If the ball is caught and a runner has left the base before the catch then he still can be put out for leaving early.

My friend is a wealth of knowledge, I tell you.

I really do hope that we can get Friday’s game in.  If not, I’ll be MIA for this weekend’s series.  I’ll be out of town for the remainder of the weekend (you simply can’t reschedule Easter for the rest of family even when baseball is involved).  If Friday’s game is postponed, this will be the first weekend series I’ll miss in two years.

Fightingillini.com’s preview is up.  Worth noting is that Friday’s game is scheduled to be broadcast on Big Ten Network Television so another reason to put away the rain sticks.  Saturday’s game will be streamed live on BTN as well. Live stats and audio as usual on fightingillini.com

Michigan State rides atop the Big Ten (along with Indiana) in the early conference season with a 6-3 record.  They can back that up with a 23-10 overall record.  MSU has outscored their opposition by a 188-131 margin so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.

Michigan State and Illinois have long been rivals for a good many reasons.  Brother rivalries, late-inning wins (like this one) and simply because the two teams are usually vying for the last qualifying spot in the Big Ten Tournament.  Not this year, it seems for the Spartans as they seem to be off to a hot start.

Random Ramblings

I’m glad to see Pete Cappetta (above) back in the lineup and even happier to see him contribute.  He hit safely in all three Michigan games.  It doesn’t hurt that Pete can play practically every position if you ask him.  He’s played in right field, second base and third base and could certainly fill in at short (his original position) if needed.

Pete’s a hard playing ballplayer who gives his all to his team even when he’s not in the lineup.  If you don’t know what I mean, keep an eye on him during ballgames… he’s always the first one welcoming the fielders back to the dugout.

But for me, I’m glad to see him in field now.

Let’s go Illini!

The good news (knock on wood) is that Wednesday looks nice and sunny for our home game against Eastern Illinois.   Gametime tomorrow is 6:05pm.

Here three things I’ve learned recently.  Maybe you’ll find them interesting.  Or maybe you already knew about them in which case you can go to the head of the class.

Disclaimer:  These opinions are from his experience.  They may do things different here in the Big Ten.

Who calls the game in case of bad weather?

I got thinking about this question because of the Saturday game against Indiana State that was cancelled.  I found it unusual that the game was called five minutes before the scheduled start.  The fans were in the stands and the players were all warmed up then the PA announcer told us the game had been cancelled because of cold weather.  I was curious who made the decision.

Todd says that generally speaking, up until game time, it is the home team that makes the decision whether to cancel a game because of weather.  Once the game starts though, that decision is handed over to the umpire crew.

By the way, if you’re curious, that photo above was taken at a Michigan State-Illinois game on March 29, 2009.  And yes, they finished that game.

How long does a home plate umpire wait before going out to the mound to keep the game going?

We see this several times a game.  A manager, catcher and who knows else goes out to the mound for a conference.  Sooner or later, you see the home plate umpire stride on out there to hurry them up or they’d be out there forever.

I once asked Todd if he had a set time limit that he gave teams for a conference on the mound.  Now keep in mind that every umpire is different but this is Todd’s routine.  He tells me that once the conference starts he waits about ten seconds then takes the time to brush off home plate.  If it doesn’t seem like it’s going to break up anytime soon, then he makes his move toward the mound.

Again, every umpire is different, I’m sure.

What is that device strapped to the umpire’s belt?

Time is of the essence now, apparently.  These devices are stopwatches.  Todd tells me that as of this year, umpires have an additional duty.  They are required to make sure pitchers deliver the ball twenty seconds after they receive the ball from the catcher.  And unless the game is televised, there should not be more than 90 seconds between half innings.

This USA Today article has the details on the rules:

“With the 20-second pitch clock, when the bases are empty the pitcher has 20 seconds from the time he receives the ball from the catcher to begin his windup. Should he fail to do so within 20 seconds, he will be given a warning. Each violation after that, a ball will be added to the pitch count. Hitters that fail to enter the batter’s box within the allotted amount of time will be given a strike for each violation following the initial warning.

— The 90 second clock begins once the last out of the previous inning is made. From that point, the pitcher has 90 seconds to warm up and the leadoff batter must be in the batter’s box.”

Some NCAA stadiums are even installing pitch clocks.

I appreciate the inside info my buddy gives me.  It helps me enjoy the game more.  I’ll even sometimes hear those stories of when he’s had to eject a player or a coach.  Glad he’s not an ump here in the Big Ten… he may have a quick thumb.

Corey Kimes is the scheduled Sunday starter this weekend

Illinois travels to Ann Arbor this weekend to play Michigan.  One note before I go on… the Friday game has been moved up to 3:05pm because of weather.

Illinois’ offense will need to find their bats as they are currently haven’t scored a run in 16 innings.  I’ve heard the term “Midweek Curse” bandied about Illinois Field.  I don’t know about that since I know there many factors that go into it but I do know this… these weekend conference games are oh so important.

Here is a link to fightingillini.com’s weekend preview.

Time was, the University of Michigan was a dynasty in Big Ten baseball.  They were the team to beat and were a lock for the top two positions in the standings.  They were the ones to go on the Regionals.

That was then and this is now.  2011 has not been kind to the Wolverines.  They started the season by losing their first eight games and have also suffered two additional four game losing streaks.  Currently, they are 9-22.  Another telling stat:  Michigan has been outscored by their opponents by an incredible 204-124 margin.

But that said, this is Michigan.  The same team who holds a 130-98-2 all-time record against the UI.  When it comes to the Wolverines, you can throw win-loss records and stats out the window.  Every day is a brand new game with them.

PS Michigan catcher Crank Coley has one of coolest baseball names in college baseball.  He’s living up to it as he has three dingers already this year.

Random Ramblings

There will be live audio and Gametracker for all three games on fightingillini.com.  On Friday and Sunday, Big Ten Network will be broadcasting live audio on their website.

Kudos to the bullpen as of late.  Wes Braun (above), Will Strack, Luke Joyce and others have really been enjoying some considerable success in the late innings.

Let’s go Illini!

Also, the time of Wednesday’s game against the Illinois State Redbirds has been moved up to 3:05pm to take advantage of the warmer afternoon weather.

The Illini (including Adam Davis (left) and Brandon Hohl), were ready to play today

We were all there today.  The the fans (more than I thought would show up in this cold weather) were in the stands, players had gone through all their warm-ups, and announced starter John Anderson was tossing in the bullpen.

Unfortunately, there was no game.  Five minutes before the game, the PA announcer notified us that today’s game was cancelled due to the cold weather and the potential of injury of the players.  It was also announced that Sunday’s game was also cancelled.

No games appear to have re-scheduled to make up for the two cancelled games.

The next game will be the Battle at Busch on Tuesday at 6pm.  Illinois will take on Missouri at Busch Stadium in St Louis.

So today’s 4pm matchup between Dartmouth and Illinois was cancelled.  Since the Illini were going to play the Big Green for the second time on Wednesday anyway, today’s game has been re-scheduled for then as part of a doubleheader.  Both games will be seven innings.

Monday is a day off for the Illini.  They’ll pick up the Spring Trip week on Tuesday when they face Southeastern (Fla.) University. 

Enjoy the day off, guys!

The Bradley series this coming weekend has been canceled due to the “forecasted below-average temperatures and current snow cover”.  I doubt this series ever had a fleeting chance given our cold winter this year.  They didn’t even wait till the night before to make the announcement.   

This makes February 26 the opening day for Illinois Baseball.  This will be the first day of the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge Tournament which takes place in nice warm Clearwater, Florida.  We’ll be playing Norte Dame that day who will probably enjoy getting out of the cold weather as well. 

Too bad.  Now we’ll have to wait over a month for a home game at friendly Illinois Field.  Chicago State will be coming down for a midweek game to kick off our home season.  Three days later will be our Big Ten opener against Penn State at home. 

College Baseball Insider tells us what we already know.  They polled the coaches of the Big Ten (actually eight of the ten participated) and Aaron Johnson (right) came up with “The Best Catcher’s Arm” honor.  No surprise there.

In other pre-season awards, Baseball America came out with their pre-season All-Big Ten list.  Pete Cappetta and Willie Argo were named on the list at second base and centerfield, respectively.

Congrats to Aaron, Pete and Willie!!

For what it is worth, Baseball America picked Illinois to finish 4th in the Big Ten.  Ohio State, Minnesota and Michigan were the top three.

If you haven’t been over to the Illini baseball website lately, they have a nifty pre-season preview for the position players.  For me, they officially confirm and dispel some of the rumors of who’s playing where.

Some of the big changes mentioned:

• It seems Josh Parr will move from secondbase to shortstop
• Among other things, Pete Cappetta will try his luck at second in 2010.
• Freshman Brandon Hohl will be the opening day thirdbaseman.  Mike Giller will be playing some at third as well (not too much of a surprise since he played there exclusively during the Orange and Blue series).

I’m sure in a couple days, I’ll bet we’ll see a Pitcher’s Preview from them.

Gah, since I’ve written this, those flurries have turned into a full-fledged snowstorm.