Springfield back in Central Illinois Collegiate League

FROM SPRINGFIELD JOURNAL-REGISTER
Springfield Sliders co-owner Jesse Bolder confirmed it by telephone Friday afternoon while attending the American Baseball Coaches Association convention with other CICL owners in Philadelphia.

“It is definite, and we are tickled pink,” Bolder said. “Everything has gone through. I’m meeting with fellow owners and commissioner (Frank Pergolizzi) here in Philadelphia, and everything is great.”

Bolder said the Sliders expect to announce their 2008 CICL schedule on or about Jan. 14.

“It looks like a week from Monday,” he said. “We’ve approved a draft, and teams have chances to make some minor adjustments by then. We should be able to release the schedule then.

“We’ve got a 24-man roster we’re in the process of filling. We’ve already gotten verbal commitments from a majority of those players. Coach (Dylan) Putnam is leading the charge on finalizing the team.’’

“We’ll do a series of press releases (regarding players and team promotions) once the schedule is announced and once we get more details,” Bolder added.

The return of Springfield to the CICL after a one-year absence gives the amateur summer wood-bat league five teams, including Quincy, Dubois County, DuPage County and Danville.

Bolder, co-owner of the Sliders with Clark Eckhoff, said the CICL is planning for additional expansion in the near future.

“The league will continue to expand in ’09,” Bolder said. “There already appears to be a commitment from at least one (additional) franchise. The anticipated goal is to have eight teams in ’09.”

The Sliders have signed a five-year agreement with the Springfield Park District that will allow the team to use Lanphier Park for its home games for $300 per game.