Baseball & Softball
Softball season in swing
The Columbia and Waterloo softball squads were busy kicking off their 2021 campaigns last week, eager to make up for lost time due to the COVID pandemic. Columbia is off…
Read MoreBaseball is (finally) back!
It had been nearly 700 days between seasons for high school baseball, so you can bet local teams were excited to finally get back on the diamonds last week. COVID…
Read MoreDiamond stars shine in college
From NCAA Division I to NAIA and junior college, being able to play baseball or softball past high school is a memorable accomplishment for any young student-athlete. Here’s a roundup…
Read MoreIHSA sets sports schedule
The IHSA Board of Directors met for a special board meeting Wednesday, during which it decided on an updated sports schedule and other guidance for the remainder of the 2020-21…
Read MoreFinally some good news for high school sports in Illinois
With the metro east moving to Tier 2 COVID mitigations in the state’s Restore Illinois Plan on Friday, it joined other regions in finally being able to allow some school…
Read MoreFleming reflects on magical rookie season
It was an amazing 2020 for Major League Baseball pitcher Josh Fleming, a 2014 graduate of Columbia High School. He capped off an unbeaten rookie regular season with appearances in…
Read MoreA fond farewell for Pieper
Denny “Boog” Pieper, who managed the Valmeyer Lakers of the Mon-Clair League for more than 50 years and was involved in county league baseball since 1962, died suddenly last Wednesday…
Read MoreBlank named Mariners bullpen coach
Trent Blank, a 2008 graduate of Columbia High School who pitched at Baylor University and then in the Colorado Rockies’ minor league system, was named last week as the bullpen…
Read MoreFleming pitches in World Series
Major League Baseball pitcher Josh Fleming, a 2014 graduate of Columbia High School, made his postseason debut Thursday for the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League…
Read MoreBook captures essence of Mon-Clair majesty
The love of America’s pastime shines through in a longtime Mon-Clair League player’s new book. “Amateur baseball holds a special place in my heart – the competition, the fun, hustling…
Read MoreValmeyer, Millstadt make state
The junior high baseball season came to an end for some local schools, but two are playing on with eyes on capturing the main prize. The Valmeyer Junior High School…
Read MoreJunior high baseball teams in action
Local junior high baseball teams have started their fall schedule of games as allowed through the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association. Under the SIJHSAA rules, schools that opt…
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