Sunday, March 7, 2010

MUSKIES & CRESTWOOD COMPLETE TRADE

The Beecher Muskies traded infielder Dave Pellack (Prairie State Community College) to  the Crestwood Panthers in return for infielder Phil Striggow (Kankakee Community College). 

Sunday, February 28, 2010

TWO ORIOLES MEET IN NASHVILLE

Yesterday, two members of the 2009 Lombard Orioles met in Nashville, TN. Mike Recchia was the starting pitcher for Eastern Illinois, throwing five strong innings, but Matt Hamann closed the game with three-plus strong innings of relief for the Belmont Bruins. Belmont won 8-7, scoring six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Monday, February 22, 2010

SEVEN INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME

The CSBL helds its annual Hall of Fame Banquet last night at the Holiday Inn in Willowbrook, IL. The festitivities included the presentation of post-season awards. Mark Schuit (pictured on the right below) of the Oak Forest Shooters was present to receive his Pitcher of the Year Award. John O'Brien (pictured on the left below) was present to receive his Collegiate Player of the Year Award. The festivities also included the induction of seven individuals into the CSBL Hall of Fame. This year's class included Ron Biga (former coach of Prairie Gravel), Dave Ciaracchi (founder of the CSBL and former manager of the Lombard Orioles), Fred LeSage (manager of the Beecher Muskies), Rich Graham (Addison Braves and High Tech Scanners), Mike Melichar (Crestwood Panthers), Bill Nelson (Beecher Muskies), and Tim Richardson (Lombard Orioles.) Check the Hall of Fame page for more!

Monday, December 21, 2009

TWO CSBLers NAMED AMERICANS

Jayson Koehn (Beecher Muskies and St. Xavier Universtiy) and John O'Brien (Vee Pak Hawks and St. Xavier University) were named NAIA Pre-Season All-Americans! This past summer, Koehn made a major contribution to the Beecher Muskie pitching staff, going 8-1, with four complete games. O'Brien was not over shadowed by his college teammate's exploits. He played a major role for the Vee Pak Hawks as their three-hole hitter and starting shortstop. For more information on both players, check out the SXU web site. 

Thursday, November 5, 2009

TWO FORMER ORIOLES IN WORLD SERIES

Jeff Vukovich, manager of the Lombard Orioles, enjoyed this year's MLB World Series more than most in that he had two former players competing against one another: Jerry Hairston, Jr. of the New York Yankees and J. A. Happ of the Philadelphia Phillies. Both players honed their skills while collegiate players in the Chicago Suburban Baseball League.

Monday, November 2, 2009

AWARD WINNERS SELECTED

The CSBL managers met last night for their annual Fall Meeting.  The agenda for the evening included the selection of the 2009 Award Winners. This year's winners are:

Player of the Year: Rick Angell - Lombard Orioles

Pitcher of the Year: Mark Schuit - Oak Forest Shooters

Newcomer of the Year: Will Schinagl - Addison Braves

Iron Man of the Year: Greg Yursich - Vee Pak Hawks

Collegiate Player of the Year: John O’Brien - Vee Pak Hawks

Collegiate Pitcher of the Year: Michael Heesch - Crystal Lake Cardinals

Manager of the Year: Armie Bombino - Crystal Lake Cardinals

Thursday, August 20, 2009

MUSKIES & CARDINALS NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS

The National Amateur Baseball Federation has posted their College and Major All-Tournament World Series Teams (www.nabf.com). The Crystal Lake Cardinals, who won the national championship, placed five players on the College team, including shortstop Chad Ulogar, outfield Corey Moylan, and pitchers Derek Eirel, Paul Duncan, and Matt Huck. The Beecher Muskies, Major Tournament runner-ups, placed two players on the all-tournament team: pitcher Jayson Koehn and outfielder Brett Velon.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A SEASON TO REMEMBER

The 2009 CSBL season was one to remember for a handful of reasons, most notably the addition of another national champion - the Crystal Lake Cardinals who won the NABF College World Series. Other highlights included the:

1. Beecher Muskies 2nd place finish in the NABF Major World Series,

2. Lombard Orioles AABC Stan Musial Regional Championship,

3. Vee Pak Hawks first AABC State Championship,

4. Chicago Wildcats first SpamTown Challenge Championship in Minnesota,

5. Crestwood Panthers 7th place finish in the NBC,

6. League victory in the 3rd annual Wisconsin State League Challenge,

7. Vee Pak Hawks won the inaugural Joliet Amateur Baseball Tournament,

8. Thirteen former and current CSBL players drafted by the MLB, and

9. Season-long competition for Divisional Championships with Lombard and Beecher gaining titles in their finals games.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

MUSKIES FINISH 2nd IN NABF WORLD SERIES

For the seventh time in this decade, the Beecher Muskies advanced to the National Amateur Baseball Federation Major World Series in Louisville, KY.  They advanced this year after hosting and going undefeated in their ten-team regional tournament,. Once in Louisville, they won their pool and earned the right to advance to the four-team single-elimination championship series. In the semi-final game, the Muskies defeated Brooklyn, NY by a score or 19-7. In today's championship game, they suffered a heart-breaking 5-4 defeat to the Detroit Jet Box. The 2nd place finish is the highest in the 32 year history of the Beecher Muskies.... In AABC Stan Musial World Series news, logistical issues prohibited the Lombard Orioles from playing in the tournament.

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Friday, August 14, 2009

FORMER CSBLers DOING WELL IN THE BIGS

The Chicago Suburban Baseball League is proud that so many of its players have gone on to play professional baseball and that a handful have made it to the major league level. Here is the impressive list of current Major League baseball players who, not long ago, played in the CSBL.

J.A. Happ, Phillies,  (Lombard Orioles)   Won 8 Lost 2, ERA--2.74

Jason Frasor, Blue Jays, (High Tech Scanners)  Won 6 Lost 2, Saves 5  ERA--1.96

Jerry Hairston, Yankees, (Lombard Orioles)  .259 avg., 9 Homeruns, 30 RBI

Tom Gorzelanny, Cubs, (Prairie Gravel)  Won 4 Lost 2, ERA--6.23

Curtis Granderson, Tigers (Prairie Gravel) .260 ave., 22 Homeruns, 52 RBI

Luke Gregerson, Padres, (High Tech Scanners) Won 0 Lost 3, Holds 11,  ERA--2.93  

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Thursday, August 13, 2009

PANTHERS FINISH 7th IN NBC

The Crestood Panthers went 4-2 in the National Baseball Congress Tournament in Wichita, Kansas, finishing with a record of 4-2. After an opening round loss, the Panthers reeled off four consecutive wins before being eliminated by the Hays (KS) Larks by a score of 9-8. Anthony Albano led the Panthers in hitting for the tournament with a .462 average in six games. Check here for the box scores of each of their games.

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Monday, August 10, 2009

CARDS WIN NABF COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

The Crystal Lake Cardinals are returning home from Toledo, OH as the 2009 National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series Champions. After losing a meaningless game in pool play, the Cardinals flew to the championship with a 6-1 quarter-final  victory over the (Livonia) Michigan Bulls, a 7-6 semi-final victory over Shannon Fence (Youngstown, OH), and, for the championship, a 3-0 victory over the Dix Hills (NY) Dodgers.  In the final game, Marty Huck threw 8 innings of three-hit baseball and Scott Spinelle came in for the save. Center-fielder Corey Moylan, who hit .571 for the tournament, went 3-4 with a homer and two rbi. You can check out the tournament web site for further info.

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Sunday, August 9, 2009

BEECHER & LOMBARD ADVANCE TO WORLD SERIES'

The Beecher Muskies went undefeated in their NABF Major Regional, defeating the South Bend Senators by a score of 14-2 to claim the championship and earn the right to advance to the NABF Major World Series in Lousiville, KY.  The CSBL's Westmont Red Sox finished third in the regional, while the Chicago Zephyrs finished fourth.... The Lombard Orioles claimed their 3rd consecutive trip to the AABC Stan Musical World Series by defeating the CSBL's Vee Pak Hawks 3-0, in a game shortened by rain. The Hawks, who lost to the Orioles in the third round of the tournament by a score of 6-5, advanced to the championship game by defeating Flint, MI.

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Saturday, August 8, 2009

YOU CAN RUN BUT.....

Perhaps you have heard the phrase "You can run but not hide."  Well, that saying describes the Vee Pak Hawks who have tried to play teams ouside of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League. Earlier in the year, the Hawks traveled to Minnesota for a tournament, only to face the CSBL Chicago Wildcats in the championship. Now they are 2-0 in the AABC Stan Musial Regional in Battle Creek, MI.  Their next game?  The CSBL Lombard Orioles who are also 2-0..... In NABF regional action, the Beecher Muskies enter day three undefeated, and both the Westmont Red Sox (2-1) and the Chicago Zephyrs (1-1) are still alive.

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Friday, August 7, 2009

CSBL ALIVE & WELL IN POST-SEASON

Eight CSBL teams are scattered across the country enjoying  post-season action. The Crystsal Lake Cardinals begin play today in the NABF College World Series in Toledo, OH. The Crestwood Panthers are 1-1 in the 32 team double-elimination NBC Tournament in Witchita, Kansas; they play again on Saturday. The Lombard Orioles and Vee Pak Hawks are both 1-0 in the AABC Stan Musial Regional in Battle Creek, MI. The Hawks beat the Kalamazoo Cubs 6-1, while the Orioles defeated the host team 4-1. Four CSBL are completing in the nine-team NABF Regional Tournament hosted by the Beecher Muskies. After the first day of action, the Beecher Muskies and Westmont Red Sox are 2-0, the Addison Braves 1-1, and the Chicago Zephyrs, who received a bye in the first round, are 0-1.

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Sunday, August 2, 2009

VEE PAK & LOMBARD HEAD TO BATTLE CREEK

For the ninth consecutive year the CSBL will have two representatives in the AABC Stan Musial Regional in Battle Creek, Michigan. Play begins on Thursday night.... The Lombard Orioles, who play in two leagues, qualified for the AABC Regional as a representative of the Wisconsin State League. They hosted and won a Regional Qualifier for teams from AABC affiliated leagues in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. This is their 11th consecutive appearance in the Battle Creek Regional, having won the Regional in both 2007 and 2008.... The Vee Pak Hawks won the Illinois AABC Championship and thereby qualified for a spot in the Battle Creek regional. This is the Hawks first trip to Battle Creek. The Hawks went 4-1 in the tournament and defeated the Melrose Indians (the 2008 Illinois State Champion) by a score of 3-2 in the championship game. Earlier in the tournament, the Indians had defeated the Hawks by an identical score. Here are the results for the 2009 Illinois AABC Regional Qualifier:

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Round 1

Vee Pak Hawks 2  Lansing Nuts 1

Westmont Red Sox 9  Melrose Indians 2

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Round 2

Vee Pak Hawks 2 Addison Braves 1 (11 innings)

Westmont Red Sox 5  Oswego Cats 0

Melrose Indians 2 Lansing Nuts 0 (Lansing Eliminated)

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Round 3

Oswego Cats 5 Addison Braves 3 (Addison Eliminated)

Vee Pak Hawks 3 Westmont Red Sox 2

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Round 4

Westmont Red Sox 7 Oswego Cats 2 (Oswego Eliminated)

Melrose Indians 3 Vee Pak Hawks 2

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Round 5

Melrose Indians 10 Westmont Red Sox 4 (Westmont Eliminated)

Vee Pak Hawks 3 Melrose Indians 2

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

BEECHER & LOMBARD RESUME FAMILIAR SPOTS

While both divisional races have been contested this season, especially the dog-eat-dog South, when all was said and done, the Beecher Muskies and Lombard Orioles, reminiscent of 2007, find themselves in familiar territory - 1st Place! Last night in Homewood, the Beecher Muskies defeated the Crestwood Panthers in what amount to a championship game by a score of 9-4.  While, in Lombard, the Orioles held on to first place by defeated the Crystal Lake Cardinals by a score of 6-3. 

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

CSBL GETS READY FOR POST-SEASON PLAY

The CSBL hopes to leave its mark throughout the nation as it begins post-season play. Ten teams will compete in one of five tournaments, beginning with the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) Regional Qualifying Tournament. The Lombard Orioles will host the Wisconsin/Chicago AABC Tournament, while five teams compete in the Illinois Tournament, including the Oswego Cats, Melrose Indians, Vee Pak Hawks, Addison Braves, and Westmont Red Sox. The Crestwood Panthers will begin play in the National Baseball Congresss Tournament on August 3 in Witchita, Kansas. The Beecher Muskies will host a National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) Regional, which will include the Chicago Zephyrs. The Crystal Lake Cardinals will compete in the NABF Collegiate World Series.

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Sunday, July 26, 2009

DIVISION RACES STILL CONTESTED

With but a few days left in the regular season, both divisional championships remained contest. Its a two-team race in the Northern Division with the Crystal Lake Cardinals & Lombard Orioles in a virtual tie after the Cardinals swept the Oswego Cats in a Sunday double-header. The two teams will face-off in Lombard this Wednesday. In the Southern Division, its still a four-team race between the Beecher Muskies, Crestwood Panthers, Vee Pak Hawks, and the Oak Forest Shooters. Oak Forest looks to have the tallest mountain to climb with games against Vee Pak (Mon), Crestwood (Tues), and Addison (Thurs). But the Muskies and Panthers will face-off Wednesday at HFHS for a game that could determine the championship.... The Chicago Wildcats completed their season with four consecutive double-headers, during which they went 4-4; the team was able to play 34 of its 36 league games... The Westmont Red Sox also had a marathon week-end playing three consecutive double-headers; the team went 3-3.... The Lombard Orioles clinched the Wisconsin State League Champsionship today with a double-header sweep of the Kenosha Kings.

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Friday, July 24, 2009

DIVISION RACES  HEAT UP ENTERING FINAL WEEK

Entering the final week of the regular season, the championships of both CSBL divisions remain contested. Last night, the Crystal Lake Cardinals traveled to Madison Meadows intent on knocking the Lombard Orioles out of first place in the Northern Division, but the Orioles scored a 4-3 come-from-behind victory to earn a two-game lead in the division..... In the Southern Division, where we  have witnessed unprecedented parity, the championship could be claimed by five of its six teams.  And the sixth team, the Westmont Red Sox, has the opportunity to play the role of spoiler as they have eight divisional games, including three consecutive double-headers, begining tonight with the Wildcats. Looking ahead, the Southern Division Championship may not be determined until Wednesday, July 30, when Westmont plays two with Vee Pak, and Crestwood squares up against Beecher.

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Sunday, July 19, 2009

WEEK-END UPDATE

The Crestwood Panthers and Chicago Wildcats split a four game, home and home, double-header. The 4th game was a 1-0 extra-inning affair as the Panthers scored in the bottom of the ninth. In game 3 of the series, veteran manager Bill Storrs toed the rubber and threw a perfect 2/3 of an inning. Leaving the field, he was overheard saying something like "Kirk's got nothing on me," a reference to Addison manager Larry Kirk's pitch-hit earlier in the season... The Chicago Zephyrs pulled off an upset by beating the Lombard Orioles in the 2nd game of a double-header by a score of 6-1. The Orioles won the first game, played at Jericho Park, by a score of 3-2... The Vee Pak Hawks and Oswego Cats split a double-header in Oswego on Saturday by identical 4-0 scores. Then, on Sunday, the Hawks split a double-header in Beecher with the Muskies... The Westmont Red Sox traveled to Detroit to play the Jet Box, taking one of three games from the nationally ranked team.

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

ADDISON BEATS LOMBARD - 1st TIME SINCE 2005

The Addison Braves and Lombard Orioles have played many games against one another in the 27 year history of the CSBL, but the Braves came into last night's matchup having not between the Orioles since August 2,2005. Last night, however, thanks to 5 2/3 innings of shut-out relief work by Dan Kelley, the Braves pulled  off a 17-12 victory. Trailing 12-10 entering the 7th inning, Will Schinagl gave the Braves the lead with a three-run homer.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

FORMER CSBLer SCORES WINNING RUN  IN MLB ALL-STAR GAME

Fomer Chicago Suburban Baseball League player, Curtis Granderson, an American League All-Star representing the Detroit Tigers, led off the bottom of the 8th inning with a triple and scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly. Granderson played with Prairie Gravel in 1999 before while beginning his stellar career with the UIC Flames..... In other news, former Beecher Muskies pitcher John Ely, now with the Birmingham Barons, was named to the Southern League All-Star Team. Ely pitched with the Muskies from 2004-2005.

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Sunday, July 12, 2009

WSL-CSBL CHALLENGE DAY 2

The Chicago Suburban Baseball League has won the 3rd annual challenge with the Wisconsin State League by a score of 17-15. It was an exciting week-end of baseball matching up two of the best semi-pro leagues in the nation.  The two leagues matched up, with near perfect weather conditions, to play 32 games over two days, eleven of which were determined by one run. This is the first victory in three attempts for the CSBL.

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Pictured below is Denny Moyer (left), commissioner of the Wisconsin State League, shaking hands with Sam Hamstra, commissioner of the CSBL. The two met up on Sunday afternoon in Oak Forest, IL where Moyer's Sheboygan A's played the Chicago Wildcats.

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Here are the results from day 2:

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Oswego Cats 3,3 vs Eau Claire Cavaliers 5,1 @ Kenosha, WI

Westmont Red Sox 5,3 @ Addison Braves 1,4

Sheboygan A's 4,4 @ Chicago Wildcats 5,5

Vee Pak Hawks 5,2 @ Manitowoc Bandits 1,4

Crestood Panthers 3,13 @ Osh Kosh Giants 2,20

Crystal Lake Cardinals 13,9 @ Janesville Aces 1,6

Beecher Muskies 2,2 @ Kenosha Kings 3,7

Melrose Indians 6,2 @ Lombard Orioles 7,8

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In addition, the Oak Forest Shooters swept a double-header from the Chicago Zephyrs by scores of 11-1 and 3-2.

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Saturday, July 11, 2009

WSL-CSBL CHALLENGE DAY 1

The Wisconsin State League drew first blood as the Lombard Orioles defeated the the Chicago Wildcats by a score of 5-1. The CSBL countered when the Westmont Red Sox scored two runs in the top of the 7th for a 2-1 victory over the Janesville Aces. Today's schedule included 16 games, with another 16 on Sunday. With the help of two sweeps by Melrose and Westmont, the scoreboard after day 1 reads CSBL 9 WSL 7. Here are today's results:

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Lombard Orioles 5, 10  vs Chicago Wildcats 1,9 @ Oak Forest, IL 

Oswego Cats 0,1  @ Kenosha Kings  1,0 @ Kenosha, WI

Westmont Red Sox 2,5 @  Janesville Aces 1,2  

Sheboygan A's 1,3 vs  Melrose Indians 17,7 @ Oak Forest, IL

Beecher Muskes 4,5 vs Eau Claire Cavaliers 9, 4 @ Kenosha, WI

Crestwood Panthers 6,1 @ Manitowoc Bandits 4,11

Vee Pak Hawks 3,6 @ Osh Kosh Giants 10,5

Crystal Lake Cardinals 13, 6 @ Addison Braves 2, 8

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Friday, July 10, 2009

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For the third straight year, the Chicago Suburban Baseball League will match up with the eight-team Wisconsin State League for a 32 ball game week-end, with all games counting in the standings of their respective leagues. Matchups for this weekend's games were determined by the 2008 season with last year's first place teams matching up this year, and so forth. That means the Chicago Wildcats and the Melrose Indians have the dubious honor of hosting the Lombard Orioles (2008 WSL Champs) and the Sheboygan A's (2008 WSL Runner-Up). That's a tough draw for both the Wildcats and Indians whose 2009 records lag behind last year's. The Westmont Red Sox and Crystal Lake Cardinals, however, are both improved from last year and could be the key to the CSBL walking away with a victory. They will be playing last year's 7th & 8th place teams: the Addison Braves and Janesville Aces. Four teams will carry the CSBL banner to Wisconsin this week-end. The Crestwood Panthers and Vee Pak Hawks will play double-headers with the Manitowac Bandits and Osh Kosh Giants. The Beecher Muskies and Oswego Cats will travel to Kenosha to play double-headers with the Kenosha Kings and the Eau Claire Cavaliers. In that the CSBL has twelve teams, the Oak Forest Shooters and Chicago Zephyrs will play a four-game series.  Prediction?  After thirty-two games are played, the CSBL will earn a 17-15 victory.  

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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

WEEKEND UPDATE

The Vee Pak Hawks won the Joliet Amateur Baseball League's Fourth of July Tournament with a 9-7 victory over the Joliet Blue Jays. The Blue Jays had knocked off the Beecher Muskies, 3-1, for the right to face the Hawks and to prohibit an all-CSBL championship game.... Former Beecher Muskie, John Ely, now with the White Sox ZZ Birmingham Barons, has been slected to the Southern League All-Star Team...Anthony Albano, of the Crestood Panthers, has signed a contract with the Rockford Riverhawks of the Frontier League.... Last year's CSBL College Pitcher of the Year, Curtis Hudson, of the Vee Pak Hawks, has signed a contract with the Alexandria Beetles in the Northwoods League.

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Thursday, July 2, 2009

KURKOWSKI MAKES IT 27 STRAIGHT YEARS

Last night in Addision, while the Crestwood Panthes were putting a hurt on the Addison Braves, Larry Kurkowski, manager of the Braves, entered the game. To the casual observer, it may have looked like an insigificant substitution, but for the CSBL it was history in the making. When Larry came to the plate (pictured below), he extended his streak of playing in the CSBL to 27 years, which happens to be every year of the league's existence. To top it off, Larry drove a single into left field!

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

LEAGUE UPDATE

The Crestwood Panthers traveled to Cape Girardeau, Missouri this past weekend for a three-game series with NBC rival the Plaza Tire Capahas. The Panthers took the series by splitting the Saturday double-header and winning the single game on Sunday. Tim Storrs hit a walk-off triple for the victory on Saturday... The CSBL veterans know that you have to be ready to play every night! Every team can win on any given night. Last night, for example, the first-place Beecher Muskies traveled to Elgin to play the last-place Chicago Zephyrs and the home team earned a 5-1 victory.... The Chicago Wildcats will play a twi-night DH on Thursday with this caveat: they will play two different teams. In the first game, the Wildcats will play the Westmont Red Sox, and then follow that with a contest with the Oswego Cats..... Once again, CSBL competition has  been fierce. For example, this past Sunday the Beecher Muskies swept a double-header from the Westmont Red Sox with two one-run victories. The Muskies scored four runs in the bottom of  the seventh to complete their sweep... But there was even more excitement in the northwest suburbs this past Sunday when the Oak Forest Shooters traveled to Crystal Lake for a double-header with the Cardinals. The schedule called for two seven-inning games but both games went into extra innings. In the first game, after the Shooters scored one in the top of the eighth to take the lead, the Cardinal's Corey Moylan hit a three-run, walk off homer for the 5-2 victory.  In the second game, the Shooters, once again, took the lead in the first extra frame, only to have the Cardinals counter with two in the bottom of the frame for a 3-2 victory.  The Cardinal's Joe Dimaggio had the walk-off, rbi double for the victory.

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Monday, June 29, 2009

CSBL WINS SPAMTOWN CHALLENGE

The Chicago Wildcats and the Vee Pak Hawks traveled six hours to Austin, Minnesota this past week-end for SPAMtown Challenge, only to meet in the champsionship game of the sixteen team invitational tournament. The Wildcats, who finished 3rd in the 2009 version of the Challenge, won this year's championship with a 2-1 victory over the Hawks. Joe Scumaci, Lewis University, got the win for the Wildcats, while Joe Koehler picked up the save. The tournament, hosted by the Austin Greyhounds, includes sixteen teams from Illinois, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.  The teams compete in pool play for the privilege advancing to the championship round. The Vee Pak Hawks beat the Chaska (MN) Cubs 11-1 to advance to the championship game, while the Wildcats got to the championship game by beating the Minneonka (MN) Millers with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th by Mark Harvensee, his 2nd of the game.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

ZEPHYRS EARN FIRST CSBL VICTORY

Two days after the Westmont Red Sox routed the Chicago Zephyrs by a score of 13-1, the Zephyrs exacted revenge and earned a 10-7 victory over the visiting Red Sox. The game, played under the lights at Jericho Park, was the first league victory for the Zephyrs who are in their first year of CSBL play.

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Friday, June 12, 2009

DRAFT SELECTS THIRTEEN CSBL PLAYERS

As in previous years, several Chicago Suburban Baseball League players were selected in the Major League Baseball draft.  This year, however, a record 13 players were selected. Ian Kroll, a recent graduate of Nequa Valley High School and pitcher with the Lombard Orioles, was selected in the 7th round by the Oakland Athletics. In the 8th round, outfielder Brett Nommensen, from Eastern Illinois and the 2006 Lombard Orioles, was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays.  Here are the remaining CSBL picks:

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Jake Goebbert (Northwestern & 2007 Lombard Orioles) - 13th round by Houston

Drew Gagnier (Oregon & 2007 Crystal Lake) - 14th round by Oakland

Dom Altobelli (Illinois & 2005 Wildcats) - 16th round by Colorado

Adam Worthington (UIC & 2006 Westmont Red Sox) - 20th Round by Arizona

Wade Kapteyn (Evansville & 2006 Wildcats) - 24th round by Detroit

Mike Giovenko (North Park & 2008 Westmont Red Sox) - 26th round by Twins

Rob Cummings (UC Santa Barbara & 2007/08 Lombard Orioles) - 28th round White Sox

Matt Milroy (Marmion Academy & Vee Pak Hawks 2009) - 35th round by Red Sox

Joe Bonadonna (Illinois & 2008 Lombard Orioles) - 43rd round by Texas

Grant Monroe (NW Florida & 2008 Lombard Orioles) - 48th round by White Sox

Nate Roberts (Parkland CC & 2008 Lombard Orioles) - 49th round by Tampa

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In addition, Conner Lind, of the 2006 & 2008 Chicago Wildcats and Furman University, was signed as a Free Agent by the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

THREE TEAMS REMAIN UNDEFEATED

The Crestwood Panthers, Crystal Lake Cardinals and Lombard Orioles are the only undefeated teams after the first two weeks of the 2009 season, but it took some last inning heroics for the Crestwood Panthers to maintain their unblemished record. This past Saturday, the Panthers hosted the Vee Pak Hawks at Prairie State Community College. In game one, the Panthers scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh for a 4-3 victory. In game two, the Panthers scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, then scored one in the first extra inning for the 5-4 victory.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

WEEKEND UPDATE

The highlight of the week-end was a four-game series between the Vee Pak Hawks and the Chicago Wildcats at the Thunderbolt Stadium in Crestwood. The two evenly matched teams split the series with each game was determined in the last inning of play... Veterans Jim Mannisch (Addison Braves), Mike Pierce (Addison Braves) and Bill Nelson (Beecher Muskies) proved that they have plenty of gas left in the tank during a Sunday double-header in Addison. Jannisch led the Braves to their first CSBL win of the season with a complete game victory in Game 1. Nelson, who has 24 league wins since 2002, pitched five innings to earn the 4-2 victory in the second game, giving up a but a two-run homer to Pierce.... The Crestwood Panthers traveled to Melrose and came away with two wins as the Panther pitching staff gave up but three hits all day.

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

OSWEGO DEFEATS ADDISON IN CSBL OPENER

Jackie Pickerill Field in Oswego was pretty wet, as was the air, but the Addison Braves and Oswego Cats played and completed the 2009 CSBL opener in which the Cats defeated the Braves 13-7.  The Braves play their home opener tonight against the Vee Pak Hawks.  

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

2009 OPENER DELAYED BY RAIN

The 2009 CSBL opener between the Oswego Cats and visiting Addison Braves was delayed by rain. The two teams agreed to reschedule the game for tonight, though the forecast suggests another delay!

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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

CSBL FORMER PLAYERS IN THE BIG LEAGUES

When Luke Gregerson appeared on the San Diego Padre opening day roster, we asked "How many CSBL players have made it to the big leagues?" CSBL players currently in the Big Leagues include Gregerson, Curtis Granderson (Prairie Collegiate & Detroit), J.A. Happ (Lombard Orioles & Philadelphia), Jason Fraser (High Tech Scanners & Toronto), Tom Gorzelanny (Prairie Gravel & Pittsburgh), and Jerry Hairston (Lombard Orioles & Cincinnati).

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The lists of former Big-League players from the CSBL includes:

Kevin Sefsik (Prairie Gravel)

Al Levine (Lombard Oroles)

Eric Eckenstaller (Lombard Orioles)

Jason Karnuth (Lombard Orioles)

Dan Kolb (Lombard Orioles)

David Nillson (Lombard Orioles)

Scott Spezio (Westchester Knights)

Lou Pote (Westchester Knights)

Chuck Smith (Westchest Knights)

Rick DeHart (Addison Braves)

FORMER CSBLer IN THE BIGS

Former Chicago Suburban Baseball League player, Luke Gregerson, is a San Diego Padre!  The 24 year-old, who was recently traded to the Padres from the St. Louis Cardinals, has claimed a spot on the San Diego roster as relief pitcher. He appeared in each of the team's first two games, pitching an inning in each game without giving up a hit. Gregerson played in the CSBL from 2003-2005 with the High Tech Scanners. He was drafted in the 28th round by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Saint Xavier University in Chicago where, as a four-year, two-way player, he served as the team's closer and rightfielder, while hitting in the midddle of the lineup. Gregerson is not the first CSBL player to get to the big stage. Curtis Granderson of the Detroit Tigers, played one summer in the league while a student at the University of Illinois in Chicago. In addition, another SXU graduate, Kevin Sefsik, played the 2004 season with Prairie Gravel after concluding his major league career.

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Monday, February 9, 2009

CHICAGO ZEPHYRS ADDED TO CSBL

During the CSBL Winter Meeting the managers voted to add the Chicago Zephyrs for the 2009 season. The Zephyrs, a team comprised mostly of collegiate players, is led by Coach Marco Fajardo; they play their homes games at Waubonsee Community College and Judson College.  The team will fill the spot vacated by the Gators and play in the North Division.  During the meeting, the managers also elected to ask The Fox Valley Blues and the Suburban Umpire Association to continue working the CSBL.

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Monday, February 9, 2009

SEASON AWARD WINNERS

Several of the 2008 season award winners attended the 2nd Annual CSBL Hall of Fame Banquet to receive recognition for their outstanding seasons, including (from left to right) Wayne Williams (Umpire of the Year), Sam Hamstra (Co-Manager of the Year), Ryan Kopp (Position Player of the Year), Curt Hudson (Collegiate Pitcher of the Year), Kevin Loukota (Iron Man of the Year), Jeff Vukovich (Co-Manager of the Year), and Carl Lucas (2008 Umpire of the Year).

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Monday, February 9, 2009

2nd CSBL HALL OF FAME BANQUET

Last night over 50 people gathered at the Holiday Inn in Willowbrook, IL for the 2nd Anual CSBL Hall of Fame Banquet. The evening included an outstanding dinner, followed by the presentation of plaques to the 2008 Season Award winners, and the induction of the 2009 Hall of Fame class.

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After the banquet, Addison Brave veteran, Bob Kuzka, got a head start on the 2009 season by gifting 2008 Umpire of the Year, Wayne Williams.

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

2009 CSBL HALL OF FAME CLASS SELECTED

Last Sunday managers selected inductees for their CSBL Hall of Fame. The 2009 class will include managers Al Oremus (Prairie Gravel) and Bill Storrs (Crestwood Panthers), as well as players Mickey Bordon (Mustangs/Aurora/Westmont), Steve Colaizzi (Addison Braves), Mike DeLattre (Crestwood Panthers), Greg Ivarone (Lombard Orioles), and Todd Sippel (Beecher Muskies). The Hall of Fame Banquet will take place February 8.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2008

KAPTEYN AND HUDSON LEAD CSBL ALL-COLLEGE TEAM

During the annual fall meeting this past Sunday, CSBL managers honored twenty players by selecting them to the 2008 CSBL All-College Team. The team include the league's Collegiate Player of the Year, Braden Kapteyn of the Chicago Wildcats & the University of Kentucky, and the league's Collegiate Player of the Year Curtis Hudson of the Vee Pak Hawks and Elgin Community College. For the complete roster visit the "Honors" page or just click on the following: AnnualCollegiateAll-StarTeams.

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Monday, November 3, 2008

AWARD WINNERS SELECTED DURING FALL MEETING

CSBL managers gathered last night for their annual fall meeting and selected their award winners for the 2008 season. Right-fielder Ryan Kopp of the Beecher Muskies was selected as the Positon Player of the Year. Kopp batted.354 with six home runs, seven doubles, and twenty runs batted in over 33 games. Seth Hill of the Lombard Orioles was selected as the Pitcher of the Year. Hill had a 4-1 record with a 1.12 ERA, as well as 31 strikesouts and only 9 walks in 40 innings. The league Newcomer of the Year award went to Mario Gianfortune of the Melrose Indians who not only hit .333 but led the leage with 30 stolen bases in 24 games. The Iron Man Award for the leading two-way player in the league went to Kevin Loukota of the Melrose Indians. Loukota not only hit .303 with 120 at bats in 32 games, but made fifteen appearance on the mound where he earned a 5-2 record. Braden Kapteyn of the Chicago Wildcats & the University of Kentucky was selected as the Collegiate Player of the Year after hitting .352 with six home runs and twenty runs batted in. Kapteyn also appeared twelve times on the mound and recorded a league-leading eight saves. Curtis Hudson of the Vee Pak Hawks and Elgin Community College received the Collegiate Pitcher of the Year award. Hudson threw 51 innings, giving up only 39 hits, while striking out 32 and recording a 1.94 ERA, accompanied by a 3-1 record.  The CSBL managers also selected the manager's from the two divisional champions as Managers of the Year. Jeff Vukovich was so honored after leading his team to another league championship, as well as a 2nd place finish in the AABC World Series.  Sam Hamstra & Tony Huntley, co-managers of the Chicago Wildcats were recognizes as managers of the year for leading the Wildcats to their first CSBL championship. The annual Umpire of the Year award went to Wayne Williams, his second such award from the CSBL.

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Sunday, August 17, 2008
LOMBARD ORIOLES MAKE HISTORY BUT FINISH SECOND

For the first time in the history of the AABC Stan Musial World Series, two teams returned in consecutive years for the championship game. Last year, the Lombard Orioles defeated the Northwest (Houston) Wildcats for the championship.  This  year, however, the Wildcats, the tournament host with fiften former professional  baseball players in its roster, defeated the Orioles to win their second World Series title. 

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After losing the first game to Puerto Rico, the Lombard Orioles marched  through the loser's bracket to the championship game against the the Wildcats. After following behind early by as many as seven runs, the Orioles made it a one run game in the seventh before losing 15-10. Orioles  Jared Koutnik and Jason Ganek were named to the All-Tournament team. For more details on the tournament, check out www.smws.us.

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In other CSBL action, the Beecher Muskies failed  to advance out of pool play into the championship round of the NABF Major National Championship Tournament in Louisville, KY. Muskie outfielder Nate Weglarz was named to the All-Tournament team. The completion of the AABC and NABF tournaments brings the 2008 CSBL season to a conclusion.

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Thursday, August 11, 2008
CSBL SUFFERS THREE LOSSES ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE

The Crestwood Panthers, the Lombard Orioles, and the Beecher Muskies, three teams from the top tier of the CSBL, each suffered a defeat in post-season play. This past Monday in Witchita, Kansas, at the NBC Tournament, the Crestwood Panthers suffered an 8-7 defeat at  the hands of hte Liberal (KS) BeeJays. The loss sent the Panthers home with a 2-2 record in the tournament. Yesterday, the Lombard Orioles opened up play in the AABC Stan Musial World Series (Huntsville, TX) against the Puerto Rico Vaqueros. The Orioles came up short, losing 4-1, but continue play in the double-elimnation tournament. Today, the Beecher Muskies lost 4-3 to the Tampa (FL) Elite in Louisville, KY. The first-round game of the NABF Major National Tournament went thirteen innings. The Muskies will play three more games in their pool to determine if they advance to the championship round.

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Monday, August 11, 2008
LOMBARD, BEECHER & CRESTWOOD PLAY ON

The Lombard Orioles will advance to the AABC Stan Musial World Series in Texas after defeating the Sharkey's (Flint, MI) 7-1 in Battle Creek (MI) Regional. The Orioles will play Puerto Rico in the first round on Wednesday (www.smws.us). The Beecher Muskies will advance to the NABF Major World Series in Louisville, KY after defeating both the Westmont Red Sox (9-0) and the Chicago Gators (8-6). The Crestwood Panthers remain alive in the NBC tournament (Witchita, Kansas) after defeating the Oklahoma A's 8-3. Kyle DeYoung keyed a four-run third with a three-run triple. Blake Fairchild got the win for the Panthers (2-1), who next play the Liberal (KS) BeeJays.

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Sunday, August 10, 2008
CSBL PLAYING FOR TWO REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Sharkey's from Flint, Michigan came out of the Loser's Bracket to knock the Melrose Indians out of the tournament and then give the Lombard Orioles their first loss. But the Orioles, with a 3-3-1 record, received a bye into the championship game of the AABC Stan Musial Regional in Battle Creek, MI. If they win, they will advance to the World Series in Texas where they will defend their 2007 championship. Closer to home, three CSBL teams remain in the NABF Regional in Kankakee, IL. In the first game on Saturday, the Chicago Gators (3-1) defeated the Intercon A's. In the second game, the host Beecher Muskies defeated the previously undefeated Westmont Red Sox in 13 innings by a score of 10-9. The Red Sox (3-1) and Muskies (3-1) will play again on Sunday at noon. The winner will play the Gators (3-1) for the championship and a slot in the NABF National Championship in Louisville, KY.

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Saturday, August 9, 2008
CSBL POST-SEASON UPDATE

In AABC Regional Tournament action in Battle Creek, Michigan, the Lombard Orioles defeated the Melrose Indians 4-0.  The Orioles are now 2-0 in the tournament, while the Indians are 1-1. In NABF Regional action three CSBL teams have reached the semi-finals: Westmont Red Sox (3-0), Chicago Gators (2-1), and the Beecher Muskes (2-1). Late Friday night, the Muskies eliminated the Addison Braves who went 2-2 in the tournament. In NBC action, the Crestwood Panthers are now 1-1 after losing to the Kenai Peninsula Oilers.  In Puerto Rico, the Crystal Lake Cardinals are now 6-0.

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Friday, August 8, 2008
CSBL POST-SEASON UPDATE

In AABC Regional Tournament action in Battle Creek, Michigan, the Lombard Orioles and Melrose Indians are both 1-0. The two teams will face one another in the second round. The Indians won their first game 2-1 with an 11th inning walk-off homer by Ryan Schievers. The Orioles won 9-0 over Battle Creek with Mike Recchia tossing a no-hitter.

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In NABF Regional Tournament action in Kankakee, Illinois, the Westmont Red Sox won their first two games, including a thirteen-inning victory over the Addison Braves. The Beecher Muskies, the tournament host, is 1-0, opening with a 9-0 victory over the A's.  The Chicago Gators won their first game 4-3. 

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In Puerto Rico, the Crystal Lake Cardinals are 3-0.

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Thursday, August 7, 2008
PANTHERS OPEN THE NBC WITH VICTORY

The Crestwood Panthers won their first game in the NBC Tournament in Witchita, Kansas by defeating the San Diego Stars 4-1. Righthander Dan Atkenson got the victory, tossing six innings and striking out seven. The Panthers will play the Kenai (AK) Peninsula Oilers on Friday. For more details on this tournament, check out www.nbcbaseball.com.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
LOMBARD TIES RECORD FOR MOST WINS

This past Tuesday, the Lombard Orioles defeated the Addison Braves 5-3 to gain their league-leading 28th victory of the season. The victory tied a CSBL mark for most wins in a season set by the High Tech Sanners in 2004.  The victory also marked the end of the 2008 CSBL season.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
CSBL FEATURED ON YOU-TUBE

Walt Keys and Adam Benner have developed a nice five minute special on the Chicago Suburban Baseball League. The video was taken before and during a game between the Lombard Oriolesa and the Melrose Indians at Madison Meadows in Lombard. Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNs4Abr3Pk.

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Tuesday, August 5, 2008
EIGHT CSBL TEAMS CONTINUE POST-SEASON PLAY

While the Crestwood Panthers return to the NBC tournament in Witchita, and the Lombard Orioles and Melrose Indians compete in an AABC Stan Musial Regional, the Beecher Muskies will host the NABF Major Regional. The Muskies will be joined by the Addison Braves (who are entering this tournament through the Wisconsin State League), the Chicago Gators, and the Westmont  Red Sox.  But there's more - the Crystal Lake Cardinals are competing in a  tournament in Puerto Rico.

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Monday, August 4, 2008
MELROSE INDIANS QUALIFY FOR FIRST AABC REGIONAL

The Melrose Indians defeated the Northwest (IN) Patriots to win the Illinois Stan Musical AABC Regional Qualifier in Oswego last night. The victory qualifies the Indians for their first-ever AABC Stan Musial Regional Tournament, which begins in Battle Creek, Michigan on Thursday. The Indians will be joined by the Lombard Orioles, the defending World Series Champions. The Orioles swept through their regional qualifier tournament with three straight wins. As a result, the CSBL will, once again, have two representatives in the Battle Creek Regional.

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Sunday, August 3, 2008
AABC TOURNAMENT UPDATE

Round 1

Game 1 Oswego Cats 5 Westmont Red Sox 1

Game 2 Melrose Indians 11 Chicago Gators 3

Game 3 Addison Braves 4 Vee Pak Hawks 0

Game 4 Northwest Patriots 5 Oak Forest Shooters 3

Round 2 

Game 5 Westmont Red Sox 5 Chicago Gators 3           

Game 6 Oak Forest Shooters 1 Vee Pak Hawks 0  (12 innings)

Game 7 Melrose Indians 7 Oswego Cats 0

Game 8 Northwest Patriots 3 Addison Braves 1

Round 3

Game 9   Westmont Red Sox 4  Addison Braves 3

Game 10 Oswego Cats 8  Oak Forest Shooters 4

Game 11 Melrose Indians 2 Northwest Patriots 1

Round 4

Game 12  Northwest Patriots 3 Oswego Cats  1

Game 13  Westmont Red Sox 5 Melrose Indians 4

Round 5

Game 14  Northwest Patriots 14 Westmont Red Sox 4

Game 15  Melrose Indians 11  Northwest Patriots 1

                  Monday @ Oswego  8 PM  (If necessary)

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
ORIOLES & WILDCATS WIN DIVISION TITLES

The Chicago Wildcats, in their fifth year of existence, won their first-ever CSBL title finishing with a 24-9 record in the Southern Division. The Lombard Orioles, charter members of the CSBL, won their 18th division or league championship after sweeping the Crystal Lake Cardinals in a double-header last night. Their record is currently 26-4.  Also noteworthy, is that the Beecher Muskies are the first team to complete their 36 game league schedule. 

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Monday, July 28, 2008
SEVEN TEAMS COMPETE FOR AABC REGIONAL

Seven CSBL Teams will compete in the Illinois Regional Qualifier for the AABC Stan Musial Tournament in Battle Creek, Michigan. The first round, which begins on Thursday, July 31, looks like this:

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Game 1 8:00 PM @ Oswego HS - Oswego Cats vs Westmont Red Sox

Game 2 6:00 PM @ Alexian Field  - Melrose Indians vs Chicago Gators

Game 3 8:00 PM @ Addison - Addison Braves vs Oak Forest Shooters

Game 4 8:15 PM @ Alexian Field - Vee Pak Hawks vs Northwest Patriots

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Wednesday, July 22, 2008
ITS OFFICIAL! WSL CLINCHES THE CHALLENGE

The Wisconsin State League - Chicago Suburban Baseball League 2008 Challenge includes 32 games between two of the nation's finest semi-pro leagues. After one week-end of play, the WSL led the Challenge 16-10, with six games postponed by rain. Last night in Oswego, the Addison Braves, representing the WSL, clinched the Challenge with a 11-10 victory over the Oswego Cats. The Cats had tied the game in the bottom of the 9th inning, 10th, and 11th, to push the game to 12 innings. In the last frame, at close to midnight, Brandon Harwell walked to lead off the inning and was eventually driven in with a single by Josh Harwell. The WSL now leads the Challenge 17-10.

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Tuesday, July 21, 2008
OSWEGO UPSETS LOMBARD & SHOOTERS TOP PANTHERS

In the western suburbs, on a night of mild upsets, the Oswego Cats defeated the Lombard Orioles (in Oswego) by a score of 5-1. On the southwest side of town, in Oak Forest, the Shooters and Crestwood Panthers enjoyed a classic pitcher's duel. In this one, Joe Branigan led the Shooters to a 1-0 victory over Al Landini and the Panthers.

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Thursday, July 17, 2008
HOLM LEADS ORIOLES OVER WESTMONT

Jeff Holm (Michigan State) hit two home runs for three rbi's to lead the Lombard Orioles to a 4-3 victory over the Westmont Red. Holm's heroics spoiled a complete game pitching performance by Nick Leonard.

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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
WILDCATS DEFEAT ORIOLES WITH NO-HITTER

The North-Division, first-place Lombard Orioles, with the league's best team ERA, traveled to Midlothian for a game with the South-Division, first place Chicago Wildcats, with the league's best team batting average. After only one hour and forty-five minutes, the Chicago Wildcats came away with a 5-0 victory, led by left-handed pitcher Dave Norkus (St. Ambrose) who threw a no-hitter.

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Only three Orioles reached base on Norkus (above): one an an error and two on walks. The victory by the Wildcats evened their two-game series with the Orioles who defeated the Wildcats 6-1 in Lombard on June 19.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2008
CARDS SCORE FIVE IN THE 9th FOR WIN

The Crystal Lake Cardinals entered the top of the ninth inning at Standard Bank Field in Crestwood trailing 6-4. By the end their frame, the Cards scored five runs to earn a hard fought 9-6 victory. Kyle Kukulski got the win, throwing three innings of relief, giving up but one hit.

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Monday, July 14, 2008
WSL - CSBL CHALLENGE PROVIDED EXCELLENT BASEBALL

While the CSBL trails the WSL by six games, the 2nd annual Challenge provided excellent baseball for teams from two of the finest semi-pro baseball leagues in the nation. The week-end included ten games determined by one run, seven shut-outs, and one no-hitter. Looking over the results, it looks like the CSBL did not pull off any upsets, but the same could not be said for the WSL who pulled off a couple unpredicted wins. All in all, the week-end provided excellent preparation for teams entering post-season play.

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Sunday, July 13, 2008
WSL ESABLISHES 16-10 LEAD IN CHALLENGE

While there are six games yet to be played, the Wisconsin State League can finish no worse than a tie for this year's Challenge. Sixteen games were played today, with the WSL gaining 9 victories, giving the league a total of 16 victories (out of a possible 32) over two days of action. The CSBL has 10 victories. Six games were rained out and may or may not be rescheduled.  If they are rescheduled, the CSBL would have sweep all six to gain a tie. Remarkably, ten of the 26 games played were determined by one run! Check the schedule page for today's results, but here are some highights: Lombard Orioles Mike Recchia (EIU) threw a 4-0 complete-game shutout... The 2nd game between the Sheboygan A's and Westmont Red Sox went 13 innings before the A's secured a 6-5 victory.... The Crystal Lake Cards came from behind in the top of the 7th to win the first game 5-4.  In the second game, Gannon Zadwick tossed a shut-out and Jesse Wight homered in a 5-0 victory...Vee Pak's Tim LeBeau (St. Joes) tossed a 4-0 shutout of Janesville. He was helped by a three-run homer by Josh Zenawick. Vee Pak's Kevin Jakubauskas threw two-hit shut of Janesville in the second game.

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Saturday, July 12, 2008
CSBL-WSL CHALLENGE UPDATE

The Melrose Indians put the CSBL up by one game with a 3-0 victory over the Eau Claire Cavaliers. Left-hander Andy Weeks (Wabash College) recorded the complete game shutout. In the nightcap, the Cavaliers bounced back for a 3-2 victory in nine innings.  Check out all the details at www.eauclairecavaliers.org.  In Oak Forest, IL, the Chicago Wildcats defeated the Osh Kosh Giants 8-2 and 3-1. The Wildcat attack included a three-run home run in the first game by Braden Kapteyn (Kentucky).The Beecher Muskies suffered two shut-outs by identical 2-0 scores to the Lombard Orioles who, while a member of the CSBL, are playing for the WSL this week-end. Orioles Aronson and Erickson tossed shut-outs. The Westmont Red Sox were swept by the Manitowoc Bandits by scores of 4-3 and 2-1. Mickey Bordon homered for the Sox. The Crystal Lake Cardinals traveled to Sheboygan to play the A's and were swept 1-0 and 4-3. So, after day 1, the WSL leads the CSBL seven games to three with six home games rained out. Sixteen games are scheduled for Sunday and the CSBL will need 10 wins just to gain a tie in the Challenge.

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Saturday, July 12, 2008
RAIN IN CHICAGO POSES ANOTHER CHALLENGE

A three-hour morning rainfall in Chicago has brought some adjustments or cancellations to a handful of CSBL-WSL Challenge games. Three double-headers have been cancelled due to wet fields: Kenosha at Crestwood, Addison at Oswego, and Janesville versus Oak Forest.  In addition, the games between the Vee Pak Hawks and Chicago Gators were cancelled.  But, after an hour delay, the Chicago Wildcats and Osh Kosh Giants played their double-header at Oak Forest (IL) HS.  Plus, the Lombard Orioles and Beecher Muskies will get their games in tonight on the artificial surface at UIC.

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Above - Osh Kosh Giant manager Brian Gerl exchanges line-up cards with Wildcat manager Sam Hamstra and umpires Craig Davelis (left) and Steve Shaw (right).

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Friday, July 11, 2008
CSBL ARMED & READY FOR ROUND 2 OF CHALLENGE

The CSBL is armed and ready for its second challenge of the Wisconsin State League.  The Challenge pits two of the nation's finest semi-pro baseball league against one another for an exciting week-end of  baseball. In the 2007 Challenge, the WSL took the crown winning 19 of 32 games. This year's challenge once again includes 32 games between eight CSBL teams and eight WSL teams (including the Lombard Orioles and Addison Braves who play in both leagues). The teams have  been matched up according to the 2007 league standings. The Challenge begins Saturday at Noon with Crystal Lake at the Manitowac (WI) Bandits, and the Addison Braves at the Oswego Cats.

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Thursday, July 10, 2008
BEECHER MAKES TRADE IN TIME FOR CHALLENGE

Just days before the CSBL-Wisconsin State League Challenge, the Beecher Muskies acquired catcher Brian Bajer (Butler University) from the Chicago Wildcats for future considerations. Bajer joins the Muskies whose catching core has been depleted by injuries.

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Wednesday, July 9, 2008
PANTHER HEADS TO JAPAN

After leading the Crestwood Panthers to a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Gators, right-handed pitcher Lee Zerussen (University of Illinois) will head east to Japan for a good-will  tour as a member of a collegiate all-star baseball team.

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Monday, July 7, 2008
FOURTEEN GAME WEEK-END

After a fourteen game week-end in the CSBL, the standings remained pretty-much the same, with the exception of the Crestwood Panthers moving into 2nd place in the South Division, and the Oak Forest Shooters jumping ahead of the Westmont Red Sox.  Crestwood Panther Mike Marshall hit a home run in the Panther's sweep of the Crystal Lake Cardinals. The Chicago Wildcats and Lombard Orioles held on to their spots on the top of their respective divisions, each winning 3 of 4 games this past week-end. CSBL highlights included two extra-inning ball games (Vee Pak over Beecher 2-1 in nine innings, and the Lombard Orioles over the Melrose Indians 7-5 in nine innings), a two-out game winning, walk-off hit by John Zielinski to lead the Vee Pak Hawks to their extra-inning victory over the Beecher Muskies, and a 5-0 shut-out of the Oswego Cats by CSBL Hall-of-Famer and Lombard Oriole Rich Capparelli.

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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
JULY OPENS WITH SIX GAMES

On a beautiful summer evening in Chicago, ten CSBL teams met for six games. In Addison, the Oak Forest Shooters came from behind with two runs in the 9th inning to beat the Addison Braves in the 10th inning. At Judson College in Elgin, the Crystal Lake Cardinals beat the Beecher Muskies 4-2. In Oswego, the Vee Pak Hawks broke a tie game in the seventh and went on to a 9-5 victory over the Cats. In a battle for first place in the South Division, the Chicago Wildcats swept a twi-night double-header from the Crestwood Panthers at Standard Bank Field.   Panther Mike Marshall hit a home run. Finally, in Lombard, the defending AABC World Series Champions Lombard Orioles beat league-new comer, the Chicago Gators 11-3.

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Monday, June 30, 2008
WEEK-END UPDATE

The Oak Forest Shooters swept the Chicago Gators in a four-game series this past week-end.  All games were played at Romeoville High School. The Melrose Indians hosted the Crystal Lake Cardinals on Saturday at Lake Park High School.  The two teams got one game in, a 5-3 victory by the Cardinals, before a 30 minute storm washed out the 2nd game with the teams tied 2-2 in the 4th. The Indians, then, traveled to Beecher on Sunday for a cross-over match-up with the Muskies and went home with two wins, including a 6-0 shut-out by right-handed pitcher Brad Altbach (Bradley University) and Eric Eul((Triton CC) . The Chicago Wildcats traveled to Austin, Minnesota for the SPAMtown Challenge, hosted by the Austin Greyhounds, a 16-team invitational tournament. The Wildcats went 4-1, losing to the tournament champion, the Cold Spring (MN) Springers.

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Friday, June 27, 2008
TWO FAMILIAR FACES RETIRE

Two CSBL veterans recently announce their retirements. Former Illinois State Redbid and Oswego Cat Dave Schoeberlein has retired after an eleven year career in the CSBL. During that time the left hander pitched and played first base. CSBL Hall-Of-Famer Steve Lane retired after a 21 year career with the Beecher Muskies. In his illustratious career, Lane had over 2200 career at bats and a .359 lifetime batting average. Check out the "Honors" page for more on Lane.

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Saturday, June 21, 2008
LAST YEAR'S CO-CHAMPS SPLIT

If you are going to split on the road, managers will tell you its  best to win the second game; it makes the ride home much more pleasant.  And that's exactly what the Beecher Muskies accomplished by handing the Lombard Orioles their first CSBL loss of the season with a 6-4 victory. In the first game of this much anticipated match-up, the Orioles won 5-4. Last year's CSBL co-champs will match up again in July, this time for a four game series at UIC. This series is part of the Wisconsin State League - CSBL Challenge.  Lombard will be representing the WSL.

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Friday, June 20, 2008
FIRST PLACE TEAMS MATCH UP

Today, in MLB action, two first place teams will match up - the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs. Last night, in CSBL action, our two first place teams matched up for a single, nine-inning contest in Lombard. Scoring five unearned runs in one inning, the Lombard Orioles, the 2007 AABC Stan Musial World Series Champions, coasted to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Wildcats.

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Tuesday, June 17, 2008
CSBL COLLEGIANS SIGN AS FREE AGENTS

Just days after the MLB draft, two players from the CSBL were signed as free agents. First, left-handed swinging, first baseman Brett Newsome (Chicago Wildcats and St. Ambrose) signed with the Washington Nationals.  Then, this past week-end, left-handed pitcher Mike Tomoleoni (Lombard Orioles and Barry University) signed with the Chicago White Sox.

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Monday, June 16, 2008
CRYSTAL LAKE CARD NO-HITS BRAVES

In between all the rain showers, the Crystal Lake Cardinals and Addison Braves met for a double-header at Community Park in Addison.  In the first game, Crystal Lake Cardinal Teddy Ratliff (Boston College) threw the first no-hitter of his career, leading his team to a 3-0 victory over the Addison Braves. This outstanding performance followed just days after Dan Edwards and Mitch Thompson of Addison combined for a one-hitter against the Cardinals. Trouble is that the Cardinals won that game, as well, by a score of 1-0. The Cards scored their only run in the 8th inning on a hit, a sacrifice bunt, a stolen base, and a fielder's choice (attempted double-play which would  have ended the inning).

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Friday, June 6, 2008
MLB DRAFT PICKS TEN PLAYERS FROM CSBL

As in previous years, Major League Baseball has selected several players with CSBL experience during its First Year Player Draft. LHP Rick Zagone (Crystal Lake & Missouri) went to the Baltimore Orioles in the 6th round. The Marlins grabbed LHP Andy Loomis (Wildcats & Purdue) in the 16th round. RHP Mike Eifel (Wildcats & Dominican) was taken by the Giants in the 21st round, while RHP David Cales (Crestwood Panthers and St. Xavier University) went in the 24th round to the Chicago Cubs. RHP Trevor Feeney (High Tech Scanners & NIU) went in the 31st round to the Tigers.  In that same round, the Cubs selected third baseman Kyle Wilson (Crystal Lake & Hill CC). Third baseman Braden Kapteyn (Chicago Wildcats & Illiana Christian HS) went in the 39th round to the San Franciso Giants. His brother, RHP Wade Kapteyn (Wildcats & Evansville) was selected in the very next round by the Twins. The White Sox chose shortstop Lee Fischer (Wildcats & Missouri) in the 46th round.

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Wednesday, June 4, 2008
CATS SPOIL HAWKS DEBUT IN CRESTWOOD

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The Vee Pak Hawks played their first ever home game in Crestwood at the Standard Bank Stadium (formerly Hawkinson Field), hosting the Oswego Cats tonight. But the visiting Cats scored five runs in the first three innings on their way to a 5-1 victory over the Hawks who play most of their home games at Alexian Field in Schaumburg. 

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Friday, May 30, 2008
CSBL COLLEGIANS - NAIA ALL-AMERICANS

Two players from the Chicago Wildcats were named to the NAIA All-American team. Dan Higgins, with the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL) was named to the First Team as a right-fielder. Higgins had a .456 batting average, with 9 home runs, 21 doubles, and 44 rbi. Brett Newsome, a junior with St. Ambrose Univeristy, was named to the Honorable Mention Team as a first baseman. Newsome hit .470 with 8 home runs, 20 doubles, and 63 RBI.  Both players are rostered with the 2008 Wildcats.

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Friday, May 30, 2008
KURKOWSKI MAKES IT 26 YEARS IN A ROW!

When Larry Kurkowski, manager of the Addison Braves, entered the battered box as a pitch hitter last Saturday, in a CSBL games against the Beecher Muskie, he continued a remarkable streak.  Kurkowski has made a plate appearance in every year of the CSBL's 26 year history.  What is even more remarkable is that in that first at bat of the season, Kurkowski cracked a double. The guy still has game!

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Monday, May 26, 2008
CSBL COLLEGIANS EARN ALL-TOURNEY HONORS

The 2007 class of CSBL collegiate players continues to rack up awards this 2008 college baseball season. Jordan Tokarz (Vee Pak Hawks of Elmhurst) was named MVP of the Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Tournament.  Tokarz had three doubles in the championship game as his Eastern Illinois Panthers topped Southwest Missiouri State 7-4. Illinois pitcher Kevin Manson (Crestwood Panthers) was named to the Big Ten All- Tournament team.  UIC pitcher Peter Iift (Westmont Red Sox) and first baseman Brett Schaefer (Westmont Red Sox) were both named to the Horizon League All-Tournament team.  Kent State University second-baseman Doug Sanders (Vee Pak Hawks of Elmhurst) was named to the Mid-America All Tournament tema. Ben McClarey (Westmont Red Sox) represents UW-Milwaukee on the Horizon League All-Tournament team.

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Sunday, May 25, 2008
BEECHER MUSKIES OPEN WITH SWEEP
The Beecher Muskies began their defense of their 2007 co-championship with a double-header sweep of the Addison Braves.  In Game 1, the Braves tied the game in the top of the 7th, but the Muskies scored one in the next inning for a 5-4 victory. In Game 2, the Braves scored four runs in the first inning off Jason Squier, but the Muskie veteran right-hander settled down for a complete game 10- 5 victory. Muskie right-fielder Joe Howard helped the Muskies with a three-run homer.

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Friday, May 16, 2008
OPENING DAY ON MAY 25
The CSBL will  begin its 28th season on Sunday, May 25, when the Addison Braves travel to Beecher for a double-header against the Muskies.  The double-header will launch the Beechers attempt to defend their 2007 CSBL Co-Championship. Manager Fred LeSage has announced that veteran pitchers Bill Nelson and Jason Squier will toe the rubber at Sippel Memorial FIeld against the Braves. Nelson and Squier have been two of the best dependable and successfull starting pitchers in the CSBL over last six seasons. In 47 appearances (42 starts), Squier has a 23-11 record, with a 2.59 ERA. Nelson has a 21-15 record with 44 appearances (all starts) and a 3.57 ERA.

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May 6, 2008

DAN HIGGINS NAMED NAIA REGION & CCAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dan Higgins (Chicago Wildcats) and junior right fielder for the University of St. Francis receieved both the NAIA Region VII and Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year awards.

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Friday, April 4, 2008
BROOK GETS BOBBLEHEAD
The Frontier League River City Rascals have announced that former Muskie and CSBL player Steve Brook will be honored with a Bobblehead night - August 17. Steve is the Rascal's all time leader in career wins. He retired following last season and was named the Rascal's pitching coach for the 2008 season. Brook was named to the Rascal's 10th Anniversary All-Diamond team as one of only 15 players so honored. He was voted the franchise's most popular player in its history with over 55% of online voters naming him on their ballots.

Monday, February 11, 2008
2008 LEAGUE SCHEDULE SET
The CSBL will divide into two divisions for the 2008 campaign. The North Division will include the Oswego Cats, Melrose Indians, Lombard Orioles, Addison Braves, Crystal Lake Cardinals, and Vee Pak Hawks of Elmhurst. The remaining teams will constitute the South Division. Teams will play four games against each time in their division, and two games against teams outside of their division. Each team will participate in the 2nd Annual WSL-CSBL Challenge, thereby adding 4 games with teams from the prestigious Wisconsin State League.