Baseball & Softball
Finally 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…
Read MoreFleming wins MLB debut
Columbia native Josh Fleming made his Major League Baseball debut Sunday as the starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching five solid innings for a victory. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound…
Read MoreBelleville edges Millstadt for Mon-Clair title
In a thrilling ending to a unique Mon-Clair League season, the Belleville Rockies dethroned the defending champion Millstadt Green Machine in an epic extra-inning title game at Valmeyer on Sunday.…
Read MoreIHSA sports plan approved
The Illinois High School Association said the Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday officially approved the IHSA’s modified sports schedule that the IHSA Board approved on July 29. “Based…
Read MoreMillers opt out of playoffs
The Mon-Clair League playoffs begin this Saturday in Cape Girardeau, Mo., but the most decorated team in league history won’t be there. The Waterloo Millers (formerly the Buds) have won…
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