There were many great stories, accomplishments and performances in 2008. From coaches breaking the all-time win record to a freshman nearly breaking the single-season RBI record to Prairie Ridge winning its first state championship under a first-year coach, last year was indeed a season to remember. I countdown the 10 best stories in Illinois high school baseball from last year …

With the new year creeping around the corner, it’s time for us all to make a tidy list of what we need to fix in our lives, make a solemn promise that you’re actually going to implement the changes, and once January 1 hits we will all collectively hit the brain’s reset button.

Right around this time I get the same question from concerned parents: How come their son isn’t being recruited as heavily as others? They see the growing list of committed players – players who may not have shared the same success as their son – and they wonder. Why? Shortly after wonder bends into panic.

October 9, four years ago. I’m at Schaumburg Flyers’ Alexian Field for one of the Prep Baseball Report’s first underclassmen showcase events. The assembled talent is amazing. Exactly how good? Let’s just say eight of the top 10-ranked players at the event are now playing college baseball or were drafted last June.

I know, it’s been a while since the Who’s Hot section has appeared here. Please know that I have seen an exorbitant amount of baseball over the last four weeks, and my lack of entries in Duncan’s Diamond Notes is purely because I’ve been too lazy/busy to synthesize my notes after the fact. But enough about me and my lack of whatever … let’s get to the players.

At the conclusion of each spring, once my brain has regained its fizz, I like to sit down and leaf through my stack of notepads from the season. Every time I do this I re-learn the same two things ...

This year’s playoffs have been as unpredictable as ever – just look what happened on Saturday in the Class 4A regional finals. A look ahead at the Class 4A and 3A sectionals, with matchups and predictions.

More so than any other class, 4A is completely up for grabs. Predictions and crooked logic on why I'm going against my preseason pick.

Just about every game I go to I get the same question: “PBR … Is that Pabst Blue Ribbon?” No, Professional Bull Riders. Then they usually ask me the real stumper: “Who is the best team I’ve seen this season.”  

Before the season began I wrote that Class 3A was going to be a disaster, completely watered down and basically a nuisance to the state tournament landscape. Here's a shocking newsflash: I was wrong. In fact, Class 3A very well may be the most exciting class in the new four-classification system. ... Plus other notes from around the state.

Want to see some great baseball this weekend, then some of the best teams in the state are playing two tourneys in Edwardsville and Peoria ... Plus all the happenings from Southern Illinois.

Oak Forest's Tim Barry has blasted eight bombs, driven in 45 and is batting .500. Not bad for a freshman. ... Plus other notes.

You may remember Ladendorf’s meteoric rise, when, as a sophomore at Maine West High School, the Class of 2006 grad shattered just about every school record while showcasing the athleticism and skill to be earmarked as a high-level pro prospect.

When you’ve done something for so long, experiencing something really different is a good thing, even if that experience is a really bad thing.

The weather is finally starting to resemble spring. Sweet. Now let's all play 10 games a week and make like the past never happened. Here's who's remained hot through all the cold.

I’m in the bleachers at Cary-Grove High School, hands feeling like frozen Eggos, the sky is turning a darker shade of gray, and the NCAA national championship game is tipping off in an hour. This game between Cary-Grove and Fremd should’ve been over a long time ago, and the guy to my left keeps talking about extra innings.

I have a proposal for the suits at IHSA headquarters. It’s a proposal that, if passed, will at once preserve the past and strengthen our future.

Here’s the gist: Before the first high school baseball game is played, each coach will be mandated to host a Championship Night. It can be held at the school’s lunchroom, auditorium, the nearest Hardee’s – anywhere but a casino, bar, strip club or house of worship. At Championship Night, topics such as sportsmanship and natural selection will be addressed. Then the head coach will personally place a shiny meda ... Read More »