The Central Illinois Outlaws club will host tryouts on Aug. 2-5 from 6-9 p.m. each night for the following age groups:

• Aug. 2-18U/17U (Class of 2022 and 2023)
• Aug. 3-16U (Class of 2024)
• Aug. 4-15U (Class of 2025)
• Aug. 5-14U (Class of 2026 and below)

To register, please follow this link:  https://forms.gle/NpB7catpEzRdXh6C6 

 

Cost to try out is $20. We will not accept walk-ups.  Player needs to wear baseball attire and provide their own bat, spikes, gloves, catcher’s gear, helmets, etc.

 

As 14U is our youngest level, we have no returning players so it will be comprised of players completely new to the organizatoin. At the 15U-18U level, all players who wish to return must try out for their roster spot again ensuring everyone an equal opportunity to make the team!

 

Questions should be directed to Outlaw recruiting coordinator Ben Diggle at (309) 648-6709 or [email protected]

 

DISCLAIMER:  When fielding teams, particularly at the lower levels, the talent level must fit the Outlaw tradition. If there is not enough talent to field a complete team, we reserve the right to offer combined teams i.e. a 14U/15U team OR to not field a team at that level at all.

 

Earlier this summer, our organization achieved a milestone! When former Outlaw outfielder Drue Galassi (Richwoods HS/Western Illinois University) wrapped up his career at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) University and signed with the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Professional Baseball League, it marked the 20th Outlaw alum to reach the professional level!

 

Now, a little more than a month later, we are building toward the next milestone! Former Outlaw left-handers Nathan Lavender (El Paso-Gridley HS/University of Illinois) and Colton Johnson (Kewanee HS/Illinois State University) were both drafted on Day 3 of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft.

 

Lavender, a Class of 2018 alum, was drafted after a redshirt sophomore season that saw him start the season as the Fighting Illini closer and eventually move into the No. 2 spot in the starting rotation alongside fellow draftee Andrew Hoffmann. The Mets took Lavender with their 14th-round selection

 

Lavender responded to the move into the rotation by posting seven wins -- tied for most in the Big 10 Conference -- and leading the conference in strikeout-to-walk ratio at 5.27 after striking out 79 hitters and walking just 15.

 

Johnson, a Class of 2016 alum, was drafted after five years with the Redbirds. Johnson seized the spotlight in 2019 with a gutty performance against No. 7-ranked Louisville in the NCAA tournament. In that game, Johnson struck out a career-high 8 hitters and allowed just 2 earned runs in 7.1 innings.

 

Johnson continued to beat up opponents from major conferences over the next two years. In seven appearances against foes like Vanderbilt, Illinois, Louisville, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Oklahoma St. and Mizzou over the last three seasons, the lanky lefty has racked up a 1.18 ERA in 38 innings pitched while allowing just 21 hits, walking 12 and striking out 44.

 

That was enough to earn Johnson a call from the Oakland A’s, who selected Johnson in the 16th round!

 

Both Lavender and Johnson have already signed contracts and begun their pro careers. We will, of course, keep you updated as they progress through the minor leagues!