This week: Lee Eilbracht's major leaguers

Jeff Huth's review and preview of all things Illinois

One-time Illini baseball recruit Casey Crosby is No. 2 in Baseball America's rankings of the top 10 prospects in the Detroit Tigers' minor league system.

News you can't leave work without:

Four players have made the 2010 Illini baseball roster as walk-ons after training with the team in the fall. The group includes right-handed pitcher Tanner Libby of Galesburg and outfielder Pat Sheehan of Springfield, who hit .353 and stole 22 bases for Springfield College in 2008.

Jeff Huth's review and preview of all things Illinois

News you can't leave work without:

Illinois baseball will play Missouri in Busch Stadium.

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Jade Smith, a sophomore center fielder at New Braunfels High School, made an oral commitment to the Illinois softball team.
As a freshman, Smith was a Class 5A All-District 26 first-team selection after helping New Braunfels to a 26-6 record and a berth in the Bi-District finals.

Amo Bessone

Today marks the 93rd birthday of former Illini baseball and hockey star Amo Bessone. Born on Cape Cod, Bessone grew up in Springfield, Mass., where he learned to play the two sports in which he specialized.