CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois baseball team will travel to Aruba and Curaçao in November, head coach Dan Hartleb announced. The Illini will play six games beginning Nov. 18 against former pro players, current pros and up-and-coming amateur prospects.

NCAA regulations allow teams to make foreign trips once every four years. This will be the Illini's second foreign trip in program history following its week-long trip to the Dominican Republic in 2014. Illinois followed the Dominican trip with its best season in program history, winning 50 games and advancing to the NCAA Super Regional in 2015.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to take our student-athletes to Aruba and Curaçao," said Hartleb. "Our last foreign trip was extremely beneficial to our team and our student-athletes. All of our players will be able to learn on and off the field."

The trip is being funded by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and through the generous support of the Fighting Illini Dugout Club. The trip will serve three purposes: baseball, education and community service. In addition to baseball, the Illini will learn about the culture and donate their time through service activities.

"One of the main things we will do is spend time with kids in the community," said Hartleb. "It will be a great opportunity for our student-athletes to gain experiences and give back to the game of baseball."

Illinois plans to spend Nov. 18-20 in Curaçao before traveling to Aruba Nov. 21-23. Full coverage of the trip will be available on FightingIllini.com and @IlliniBaseball on Twitter.