Earlier this year when the schedule was released, I noticed that the Illinois-Missouri game was scheduled to be held in Sauget, Illinois. I did a little double take when I saw that and it just didn’t register with me. Now, it all makes sense.
Coach Hartleb pulled a rabbit out of cap or pulled some strings or something because we’re going to have another Battle at the Busch again! The Missou-Illinois game originally scheduled for May 6th will now be moved to April 2 and will be played at Busch Stadium, the home field of the St Louis Cardinals. Exciting news.
Hartleb is fanning the flames of the Illinois-Missouri rivalry:
"I am excited we are able to team up with the St. Louis Cardinals again to host the border war with Missouri. We really enjoy playing at Busch Stadium against Mizzou because we face a quality opponent and we receive first-class treatment from the Cardinals. They make it a great experience and a memory for a lot of our players. We want to put a lot more people in the stands and make it an annual event where it’s a destination for a midweek, high-powered college baseball game."
Well maybe not fanning the flames but he called it “border war” and that’s close enough.
The Fightingillini.com schedule page is now updated to reflect the change. Details will be coming soon on how to get tickets.
Now if they can just get a fan bus together!