After six years as the University of Illinois pitching coach, Ken Westray has been given his walking papers by Coach Hartleb. From the News-Gazette: “I have decided to go in a different direction with our pitching coach position,” he wrote. “I want to thank Ken Westray for his work and…
According to the News-Gazette’s Jeff Huth, Illinois will be the first opponent of Big Ten newcomer Nebraska. We’ll see them next year and the exact date is already set. On March 23-25 Illinois will travel to Lincoln to play the Cornhuskers. Not only will the Nebraska be new to the…
Corey Kimes Chris Pack There were two more signings of Illini players this weekend. Corey Kimes inked a contract with the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Kimes was picked in the 18th round by the Twins. He’ll report to the Fort Myers (Fla) Miracle in the Florida State League which is…
For those who want to follow the Illini ballplayers during the summer, fightingillini.com has posted a handy web page listing which summer teams they will be playing with. It comes complete with links to the teams’ and leagues’ web sites so finding their schedules and boxscores is only a few…
Throughout the 2011 Illinois baseball season, there have been photos that I go back to and think “I really like that picture”. Some may not have made it into an IBR article but for one reason or another I find qualities in it that make me think it’s worth seeing.…
Congratulations to Josh Parr who just signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday. Shortstop Parr, who just finished his junior year with the University of Illinois, signed quickly after the Dbacks drafted him in the 12th round on Tuesday. You can expect to see Parr soon in the short season single-A…
On the third and last day of the First-Year Player Draft, Willie Argo was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was chosen in 43rd round. He joins Adam Davis, Josh Parr and Corey Kimes (and Illini recruit Charlie Tilson) who were picked in Day 2. Willie Argo Position Outfielder Round/Overall…
Three Illini (and one Illini recruit) were drafted today, the second day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Adam Davis Position Catcher Round/Overall Pick 11th/335 MLB Team Baltimore Orioles Josh Parr Position Shortstop Round/Overall Pick 12th/364 MLB Team Arizona Diamondbacks Corey Kimes Position Pitcher Round/Overall…
Before we close out the Illini’s venture to California, I wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to see these videos. A few of the players made to the big screen (well, ‘big’ if you are a baseball player). In this first one, pay close attention to the very…
The 2011 Illinois baseball team has completed their journey. With a 14-2 loss to Stanford, they have been eliminated from the NCAA Regionals. I won’t trivialize the situation with yesterday’s boxscores and stats (though I will say Davis Hendrickson really made a name for himself with the glove). You can…