What a day to be at the ballpark! Yesterday, it was about perfect. I had been going through baseball withdrawal. Normally at this time, it would have been a few months without baseball but this year, I haven’t seen (or photographed) an Illini baseball game since the first home game.…
This summer, Illinois baseball is installing new Field Turf at Illinois Field and the installation has now commenced! I had the day off today so I took some time to stop by Illinois Field and see how the progress is coming along. It was very strange to walk into the…
When we heard about the new Field Turf being laid out this summer, I thought about the previously-announced baseball training center and what the plans were for that. We hadn’t heard much about that recently. Sure enough, there was an announcement about that last week along with a architectural rendering…
This summer, Illinois Field will be getting a makeover. It’s been over twelve years since the field received its first installment of Field Turf in February 2008. You can see some photos of the 2008 installation here. Before that, Illinois was covered in grass and dirt. Now, it will be…
In preparation of the Champaign Regional, the interns at the UI Athletics program have been working overtime to put out this great press release. It is quite comprehensive. Reading through it, I am still amazed at what the Illini players have accomplished this year. What do I need to…
Finally! Home Field! It’s a bit of a strange schedule this year. After the Big Ten opener last weekend against Nebraska, the Illini come home to play a non-conference team, the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. To add to the weirdness, Illinois hosts Bradley for a midweek game next week. …
I have a friend named Todd who is an umpire in Division III back east. Whenever we get talking, the discussion always gets back to baseball and umpiring. He knows I’m an Illinois baseball fan so I like to pump him with questions. Sometimes they revolve around obscure rules and…
10. A warm jacket. Those early season games get pretty chilly. 9. Money…but only if you want to get something from the concession stand. Illini baseball games are free this year! 8. Your Orange and Blue gear. Wear it proud. 7. Your voice. Let the Illini players know you’re there!…
It seems like this Friday can’t come soon enough. All these weeks of following the Illinois baseball team as they play in strange and far away places will soon come to an end as we get to see the good guys on the green grass… *ahem* field turf of Illinois…
Shawn L emailed me wondering why I haven’t posted about this particular gem of news. He’s right… it’s pretty significant. The gist of it is that the University of Illinois has announced that they will make admission to all of its ‘Olympic Sports’ free of charge. From the Illini press…