On Saturday January 14, the Illinois Baseball community gathered in person for the first time since 2020 for their annual Hot Stove Banquet. Signifying the beginning of the Illinois baseball season, the Hot Stove Banquet is a chance for fans, coaches, players and community members to meet, talk and to…
I’m catching up on the Illini news after the holiday break. The coaching staff has been doing their due diligence in their recruiting duties. Last month, they have signed a total of eight players to a National Letters of Intent. The pipeline from Canada continues. That’s Parker Burgess from Douro-Dummer,…
On Tuesday, University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman announced that Coach Dan Hartleb’s contract was going to be extended for four more years. And why not? Hartleb, who is in his 18th year as head coach of Illinois has had tremendous success with the team. A quick look at…
Fighting Illini baseball announced the schedule for the 2023 season this week. Next season’s schedule consists of 48 games including 21 at home at Illinois Field. A few things of note… Season opener is February 17th at the Wake Forest Tournament Home opener is March 14th against Indiana State Big…
In past years, the Illinois baseball program sure appreciated the hospitality of the football program as they extended the use of the Irwin Indoor Football Practice Facility when it was too cold to practice outdoors. Now, Illinois baseball has a training home they can call their own. On Thursday, Coach…
Let me say that the Fall college baseball season is pretty awesome. It is a somewhat recent development and since Illinois has engaged in it, it has added enough baseball in our lives to tide us over till the spring. Illinois concluded their Fall season on Sunday winning two of…
Illinois baseball has been busy practicing the past few weeks. Starting this week, they will begin playing their brief Fall 2022 season. Here is the current schedule (as always, subject to change): September 23 6pm: UIS September 27 6pm: GLC October 2 12pm: Indiana State I was able to get…
A lot happens in college baseball during the summer. The players go off and play in summer leagues, there are various administration and program activities and then there are events that happen only once every few years. Let’s take a look at past few months in Illinois baseball news… Branden…
It was a big week for Illini baseball. First, Michael Massey made an appearance for the Kansas City Royals. (he’s back with Omaha but in my opinion, he’ll be back). Now, three current players have their chance to move forward into pro ball. Cole Kirschsieper Starting pitcher Cole Kirschsieper was…
What a week Michael Massey has had! As posted, he made the jump to the Major Leagues with the Kansas City Royals. Now on Saturday, he singled in his second (and third!) at-bat with the team. I have been following the Royals news feeds like I have never have before.…