Early signing date is here. Where are some of our Illinois boys heading to in the fall. Sign in and let us know.

Chase Sonen-Saint Josephs
Matt Reimer-Saint Josephs
Ryan Antesberger-Xavior
Peter Wolff-Michigan State
Kyle Cherney-Northern Ill
Pat Minogue-Northern Ill

this is what I know so far

Hey Big Boy!

Where is Joe going?


Call me, Steve

Hey Steve,

Joe Mandele, Batavia HS, Pitcher-1st, Western Illinois University, signed last night. We are very happy with the program/coaches and the direction and money they are putting into it. Excellent schedule and coaching staff and very excited about the new stadium which should be completed by next fall.

Congrats to all the guys from the Norwood Blues. It's great to hear where you're heading next year. Best of luck.

-Griffin

"I like baseball." - Chad Bisnette

Congrats to everyone,

Nate Love, C/3B, from Rockford Boylan HS and the Lombard Lightning signed with Indiana State University today after school.

Top Tier players

Mark Bennett(Prov, SS/2b)- Northwestern
John Ely (HF, pitcher)- Miami, Ohio
Joe Dunigan (St. Ignatius- OF)- Oklahoma

Heard rumors about pitchers, Shane Zegarac and Blake Anderson, but I don't know if they are true or not. I also understand pitcher, Gary Perinar will announce where he will sign shortly. Last I heard, 3B Phil Babich is committed to Cincinatti for football and 2 sport star Chris Rodriguez is still deciding between football and baseball. Schutzbach and Brown have offers but are still looking.

I don't get what the big deal about (name deleted by moderator---no personal bashing here) is? He is so overrated. He has tools to be good, but he does not use them correctly. He is a monster, yet all he does is ground out to the pitcher or strike out, he is very over rated. He has not shown me anything, and the fact that he is invited to all these national things and is ranked #1 in the state and stuff makes me sick. I would take a kid like Petrulis or Perinar in a second before I recruited (???). Sure he has talent, but I hope he is ready to sit for 2 years cause once he gets there, the BS rankings he gets now will mean nothing.

justbeinghonest...I have no idea who you are referring too as far as being overrated...and I really don't know any of the players posted on here really well, but I can tell you one thing, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU OR I THINK ABOUT A PLAYER...IT IS WHAT THE SCHOOL THAT RECRUITS HIM THINKS!!!!plain and simple...
everyone gets opportunities that they deserve to get, NO COLLEGE is going to give a kid anything they don't think he is worth....remember, this is THEIR job and I am sure they all want to keep them.
If you are disappointed...look in the mirror

Where is Perinar thinking about signing. I haven't heard much about him lately. Anyone got the inside scoop. Heard some rumbles about Minnesota, Bradley, Illinois, Butler but nothing confirmed yet. What is the scoop.

just...In the last 4 or 5 years, I have had an opportunity to watch and coach kids who have been nationally rated, by the scouting services and by moms and dads.

The scouting services rarely miss talent. Mom and dad often do.

Anyone have the November 1st rankings in Illinois? Thanks.

justbeinghonest.....I know who u are talking about and you should go worry about something else rather then bash one of the best players in state.

john j

JohnJ,
Could someone please explain to me what makes him one of the best players in the state?
I'm not disagreeing or agreeing with you, but, having watched most of the top players in Illinois both at regular games and showcases, what makes him stand out to you?

use...Right now he's a "tools" guy and that is likely the reason for professional baseball interest in him at this time.

Has a nice arm and is a better than average runner--one he gets going.

The bat speed is already there. The maturity and strength are already there. He just needs to play the game (repetitions). Because he has "raw" baseball skills, you are likely to see extremes (great one day and disappearing the next). Needs some polish.

Would sure like to cheer for someone from Chicagoland in the big leagues some day. Not enough from around here...in my opinion.

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Have to be careful with "performances" at showcases and in high school. At Team One, many watched and weren't impressed with the weak ground balls to the pitcher or the ground ball single to right. While most scouts watched and noted how hard he hit the ball on the line to center that was caught for an out. To a pro scout, that out was more impressive than anything else. To a parent, most just noted it as a time at bat without a hit.

All in the eyes and experience of the person watching the player.

Just like parents getting carried away with their son throwing 78-80 and getting kids out in high school. Most high school kids are impatient hitters and want the velocity pitch, i.e., the fastball at 82-85. When a kid doesn't look good against the 78-80 pitcher, everyone cringes. When he drills the ball against the fastballer, parents say that is luck.

More later.

November rankings in Illinois: 1.Dunigan 2. Flores 3.Williams 4.Petrulis

In everyone's opinion that has experience with college baseball in illinois what would be the rankings for best college programs in ill. for baseball...there are many schools that we can choose from like southern, eastern, u of i, ill. state, northern, and maybe even some D2 schools too

right now UIC by far in illinois. otherwise notre dame is right around the corner at south bend,indy. Coach Dee at UIC has really strengthed his competition and they will eventually become a powerhouse

everything beenthere said makes him one of the best....he quit basketball and is focusing only on baseball now and I see no reason why he is not going to be one of the best this year.

john j

In my opinion, he and Williams are definitely professional prospects.

Williams has to be one of the fastest players in the nation from home to first. A plus outfield arm, too. He should abandon his switch hitting and stay left.

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Dee and UIC rising to the top of Illinois baseball. Big time recruiting. Big time collegiate baseball setting. When the Player of the Year from Wisconsin comes to Illinois when he can go almost anywhere, that tells you something about the program and its direction.

I believe, too that they are heavily recruiting a top outfielder from Illinois and if they get him from the Class of 2004, it should be another "banner" class.

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Agree with you, injuns. Plus, Mike is a nice guy, too.

alright how bout out just the state schools like southern, northern, eastern, and western