The Illinois baseball fall season has now come to an end. With it, comes some needed staff changes to complete the coaching staff. Illinois baseball announced that former San Francisco Giants pitching coordinator Mark Allen will now be the pitching coach for the Illini.
Not only does Coach Allen bring MLB-credentials to his new job with the Illini but he has a winning track record. Five of the eight Giants’ minor league teams reached the postseason this year. He has a good eye for talent and knows how to win.
Former Illini player and coach Kyle Hudson had this to say about Mark Allen:
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Mark for two years. He is a phenomenal leader and an even better person. His ability to connect with and develop high quality competitors on the mound is second to none. Mark works as hard as anyone and will impact each student-athlete on and off the field in positive way. The Fighting Illini family just gained a great one.”
Allen joins Head Coach Dan Hartleb, Assistant Coach Adam Christ, Volunteer Assistant Coach Curt Courtwright and Student Assistant Coach Quinn Snarskis.
Mark Allen, welcome to Champaign-Urbana and the University of Illinois!
Fall season recap
It was announced that there will not be an Orange and Blue World Series this Fall. I feel a little bad about that because I need that baseball fix and it’s a long time before the home season in 2020.
That said, if I was given a choice between the O&B series and the (relatively new) Fall season which pits Illinois against other college teams, I love the Fall season format!
This fall season format is relatively new being introduced in the last three years. Even ten years ago, there was talk among the Big Ten coaches about instituting this kind of “season”. I think nothing prepares the players more than a live game against actual competitors.
This year, the Fighting Illini did well going 2-1. The team is young and inexperienced but showed a lot of talent.
Illinois 16 Butler 6
FightingIllini.com recap | IBR photo gallery
Indiana State 8 Illinois 2
Big thanks to Robin McElwee for these great photos!!
Illinois 15 GL Canadians 3
The GL Canadians were skippered by former Illini Chris Robinson by the way.
FightingIllini.com recap | IBR photo gallery
For now, that ends the public-facing baseball season for 2019. The Hot Stove Banquet, which unofficially kicks off the 2020 season, will take place in January.
Players stay in shape and study hard!!!