Tag: tournament

Uncle Joe Cannon’s Jamboree vintage base ball Tournament- August 22

I had lunch with Shawn Lee today.  Shawn is the web person and occasional ballist for our local vintage base ball team, the Vermilion Voles. 

Aside from discussing what’s ailing major league baseball today, we talked vintage base ball.  Shawn reminded me that the annual Uncle Joe Cannon’s Jamboree Tournament is coming up.  For those in the East Central Illinois area, it’s a great chance to see some great vintage base ball (and lots of it!). 

This year, they’ll be having it at the Voles’ usual home park at beautiful Kennekuk State Park. The tournament will take place on August 22 at noon.  The Voles will be hosting the Chicago Salmon, Rock Spring Squirrels, St Louis Perfectos (and no doubt their bright red stockings). 

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Some Chicago Salmon players taken at the 2008 Jamboree

I went to the Uncle Joe’s Jamboree in 2008 and had a blast.  I did a write up and posted some photos. 

If you’re interested, please come.  The teams love a crowd and really make try to get the spectators involved by speaking to them and informing them about how the game of base ball was played in 1858.

You can find more info (including their schedule) on the Voles’ web site.  

Illini baseball to compete in BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge

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Next February, the Illini will compete in a tournament between the Big Ten and BIG EAST conferences.  The inaugural BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge will take place February 20-22, 2009 and will be hosted by the St Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission.  All teams of the Big Ten and BIG EAST will take part.

The tournament will take place on the same date that Major League pitchers and catchers report for spring training. 

Here is the proposed schedule:

BIG EAST/BIG TEN CHALLENGE MATCHUPS

Day 1 – Friday, February 20
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame
Penn State vs. St. John’s
Illinois vs. Iowa
Michigan State vs. Connecticut
Michigan vs. South Florida
Northwestern vs. Georgetown
Minnesota vs. Seton Hall
Indiana vs. West Virginia
Purdue vs. Cincinnati

Day 2 – Saturday, February 21
Michigan vs. Cincinnati
Purdue vs. South Florida
Penn State vs. Northwestern
Ohio State vs. Connecticut
Indiana vs. Georgetown
Illinois vs. Notre Dame
Minnesota vs. West Virginia
Michigan State vs. Seton Hall
Iowa vs. St. John’s

Day 3 – Sunday, February 22
Michigan vs. St. John’s
Ohio State vs. Cincinnati
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
Northwestern vs. Connecticut
Indiana vs. South Florida
Iowa vs. Georgetown
Purdue vs. Notre Dame
Penn State vs. Seton Hall
Illinois vs. West Virginia

Update: I asked Brian from The College Baseball Blog why the BIG EAST was in ALL CAPS while the Big Ten wasn’t in all the press releases I read.  He simply said, "He simply said, It’s because they’re the BIG EAST."

‘Nuff said.

Settling in at Ann Arbor, Tomorrow the Big 10 Tournament

I just rolled into Ann Arbor this evening on the aptly named “Wolverine” Amtrak line.  I’m staying at the Lamp Post Inn.  It’s a budget motel but it has the important amenity I need.  Wireless access. 

When I told the motel owner my reason for being here he told me knew a few of Michigan baseball kids and their families.  Being somewhat familiar with the team, I asked ‘Which ones?’. 

“Zach Putnam”, he said.

Anyway, The tournament bracket is out (here’s the pdf version).  Illinois has their work cut out for them.  They face defending Tournament champion Ohio State tomorrow.  And if they can get by them, they face ranked Michigan.  What a difference one game in the standings makes.  Seed #3 Penn State is facing Indiana. 

Here are a couple other BTT interesting links if you haven’t run across them yet:

Official 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament press release (pdf format) …chock full of info.

Info on 2007 Big Ten Tournament from the Big Ten website

The Baseball Zealot coverage of the 2007 Big Ten Tournament

One final thought on the tournament before they get started tomorrow.  Last year’s #1 seed, Michigan was eliminated by Friday.  I’m not necessarily trying to pick on Michigan (much).  My point is that it’s a new “season” now and it’s anyone’s game out there.  Let’s not get overwhelmed by regular season rankings or standings. 

Oh and one more thing…

Go Illini!!!