By Drake Skleba
Senior Writer

The 2013 season is upon us. Practice begins from Galena to Metropolis throughout the state of Illinois. Unlike last year, when almost everyone practiced outdoors, practices will be held indoors this week. Sean Duncan and I are working diligently on our 2013 Prep Baseball Report Illinois Road to the State Championship preseason magazine, and it should be out in mid-March.

Defending state champions, Oak Park-River Forest 4A; Marian Catholic 3A; Normal U-High 2A; and Effingham St. Anthony 1A, will begin defense of their state titles as early as March 11, Opening Day in Illinois, though many teams won’t begin until later.

O' Brien Field, home of the Peoria Chiefs, in Peoria, is the promised-land for the small schools in 1A and 2A. The Semi-Finals and Championship Games will be held on Friday May 31 & Saturday June 1.

Silver Cross Field in Joliet is the final destination for the large schools in Class 3A and 4A. The Joliet Slammers will host the semifinals and championship games on Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8.

After a record-setting season in 2012, our goal at the PBR is to provide you with more game coverage in 2013. Check out our Illinois Daily Baseball Schedule again in 2013. Early March is our target post date. Once again we will be providing you with The Daily Roundup. The Daily Roundup is an extensive roundup of all the baseball action in Illinois beginning on March 12.

We will once again, with our partners at www.prepbaseballreport.highschoolcube.com, have live webcasts (audio and video) of numerous top games this spring. We are working on a classic opener on March 14 between Simeon and St. Rita. Stay tuned.  

Check out www.prepbaseballreport.com for the most comprehensive state coverage this spring.