Today was the first day of fall practice for the 2012-13 University of Illinois baseball team. For those interested, FightingIllini.com has posted the schedule for the off-season practice as well as the annual Orange and Blue World Series at Illinois Field.
Coach Hartleb found time to do a pre-practice interview (above) as did starter Kevin Johnson.
2012 fall practice schedule:
Tues., Sept. 4 – 3:30-6
Wed., Sept. 5 – 3:30-6
Thurs., Sept. 6 – 3:30-6
Fri., Sept. 7 – 3:30-6
Mon., Sept. 10 – 3:30-6
Tues., Sept. 11 – 3:30-6
Wed., Sept. 12 – 3:30-6
Thurs., Sept. 13 – 3:30-6
Fri., Sept. 14 – 3:30-6
Sat., Sept. 15 – TBA
Mon., Sept. 17 – 3:30-6
Tues., Sept. 18 – 3:30-6
Wed., Sept. 19 – 3:30-6
Thurs., Sept. 20 – 3:30-6
Sat., Sept. 22 – 9 am-noon
Mon., Sept. 24 – 3:30-6
Tues., Sept. 25 – 3:30-6
Wed., Sept. 26 – 3:30-6
Thurs., Sept. 27 – Scout Day Time TBA
Fri., Sept. 28 – 3:30-6
Sat., Sept. 29 – TBA
Mon., Oct. 1 – 3:30-6 (Orange & Blue World Series)
Tues., Oct. 2 – 3:30-6 (Orange & Blue World Series)
Wed., Oct. 3 – 3:30-6 (Orange & Blue World Series)
Thurs., Oct. 4 – Orange & Blue World Series rain date
Fri., Oct. 5 – Orange & Blue World Series rain date
Of special note is September 27 which is Scout Day.
On paper, the Illini look solid. They’re returning 17 lettermen including three starting pitchers from last year. As always, it will be interesting to see which new players will step up and make a difference from the get go.