Crystal Lake Cardinals: Welcome

Cards in Chicago
Cardinals at UIC Chicago
The Cardinals College Team was established in 1995 to serve college players in the ages of 19 thru 22. The Cardinals play a 60 game schedule in June and July. The Cardinals are a member of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League established in 1982 and the Metro Collegiate Baseball League of Illinois established in 1978.

The Cardinals have a record of 352 Wins and 198 Losses since 1999 and are the 2009 NABF Summer College World Series Champions. The Cardinals are the 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2002 Metro Collegiate League Champions and the 2002 Illiana League Champions. The Cards have earned trips to the 2000 and 2001 NABF Regionals in Ft Wayne, Ind. and to the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009 NABF Summer College World Series in Dayton and Toledo, Ohio. The Cardinals finished first in the 2007 and 2008 Puerto Rico Invitational Summer Tournament with a record of 5-0 and 6-0 respectively.

The Cardinals play in collegiate and semi-professional baseball wood bat leagues. The semi-pro organization, the Chicago Suburban Baseball League (CSBL), is ranked among the best leagues in the country by the National Semi-Pro Baseball Association. The CSBL, sends its best teams to post season play at the National Baseball Congress (NBC) tournament in Wichita, the AABC Stan Musial Tournament and NABF College and Major Tournaments. Prairie Gravel, the 2004 and 2005 CSBL Champion, obtained first place in the prestigious NBC Tournament in Wichita in 2005. The collegiate organization, The Metropolitan Collegiate Summer Baseball League of Illinois, is affiliated to AABC, NABF, and CABA, and has been in existence for over 20 years.

Cardinals players that have signed professional contracts are Drew Gagnier-Oakland Athletics-2009, Rick Zagone-Baltimore Orioles-2008, Erik Wetzel-Colorado Rockies-2008, Mark Badgley-Florida Marlins-2007, Ozzie Lewis- Minnesota Twins-2007, Nick Hall-Philadelphia Phillies-2006, Scott Hode-Chicago Cubs-2005, Clint Brannon-Texas Rangers-2004, Rick Hummel-Chicago White Sox-2003, Matt Blanton-St. Louis Cardinals-2003, and Tony Bacci-Pittsburgh Pirates-1997.

Cardinals playing for Independent League teams are Rob Wirth (2004), Ty Marotz (2005), Bryan Hansen (2006), Ted Juske (2006), Rob Fontana (2007) and Ted Ratliff (2008).

Cardinals players that have been drafted by professional teams are Kyle Wilson-Chicago Cubs, Bryan Hansen-Toronto Blue Jays, Matt Sibigtroth-Chicago White Sox, and Gary Kershke-Chicago Cubs.