FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Columbus, OH – Frank Pergolizzi, Commissioner of the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL), has announced a major expansion of the league which will now stretch from Missouri to Pennsylvania. The expanded league will begin play in the summer of 2009.
To better reflect its growth and scope, the CICL will be rebranded as the Prospect League. “The Prospect League’s mission is to create and maintain the best collegiate wooden bat summer league in the country,” said Pergolizzi. “Our ownership groups are committed to providing players a positive experience, quality instruction, and a high level of competition while offering our communities first class, affordable family entertainment.
The West Division will consist of the existing CICL teams of; Huntingburg, IN; Danville, IL.; Springfield, IL.; DuPage, IL; Quincy, IL; and Hannibal, MO. The East Division will include Chillicothe, OH; Richmond, IN; Lorain, OH; Butler, PA; and Slippery Rock, PA.
The Prospect League will continue the traditions of the CICL, upholding the standards of the National Association of Collegiate Summer Baseball (NACSB) in ensuring the amateur status of its student athletes while preparing the players for future professional careers.
The CICL was formed in 1963 as a charter member of the NCAA’s certified summer baseball program. Throughout its 45 year history, the CICL has maintained a respected and prominent place in collegiate baseball. Names like Kirby Puckett, Mike Schmidt, Jon Papelbon, & Ryan Howard are among the nearly 150 CICL alumni who played or are playing major league baseball.
Another piece of news: the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL) has shortened its name to the West Coast League. Story at http://www.wccbl.com/news.php?p=News&a=78 . The URL for their site is changing to http://westcoastleague.com , but this hasn’t completely kicked in yet.