Appalachian League Website
Appalachian League New Vision
Accepted Players

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The new-look Appalachian League announced its first 40 player commitments for the summer of 2021, including seven current Fighting Illini. Jack Crowder, Ryan Hampe, Cal Hejza, Cole Kirschsieper, Grant Leader, Connor Milton, and Kellen Sarver have all signed on to play in one of the top summer collegiate leagues in the nation. 

Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb is part of the Appalachian League Steering Committee, which features some of the top collegiate and professional baseball minds in the nation. 

Appalachian League (via USA Baseball/MLB)

The Appalachian League is one of the longest standing baseball leagues in U.S. history and is rooted within 10 cities in the Appalachia Region of the country. As a new era of this historic league begins in 2021, it will do so as a collegiate summer league and part of the Major League Baseball and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline ("PDP"). The PDP is a collaborative effort that establishes a player development pathway for amateur baseball players in the United States.

The league's 54-game season will feature three two-game series per week through Saturday, Aug. 7, culminating in a one-game Appalachian League Championship on Monday, Aug. 9. There will be a single off-day per week for the league throughout the inaugural season and a league-wide shutdown will take place from Monday, July 5-Wednesday, July 7, allowing teams to reset their rosters following the conclusion of the college baseball postseason.

Opening Day is scheduled for June 2, 2021, the first-ever Appalachian League All-Star Game will be July 27, 2021, and the championship game slated for August 10, 2021.