Feb. 10, 2009

Chicago, Ill. -

2009 Big Ten Baseball and Softball Schedule in PDF Format

The Big Ten Network announced its 2009 baseball and softball schedules on Tuesday, and Illinois is slated to appear three times in each sport. The BTN will broadcast 30 Big Ten baseball games, including the entire Big Ten Baseball Tournament and 25 Big Ten softball games this spring. Every game will be produced in high definition.

"With the network now available to more than 70 million people nationwide, the Big Ten Network is thrilled to give increased national exposure to Big Ten baseball and softball," network president Mark Silverman said. "We know that fans will especially enjoy watching these games in HD."

The first two baseball games of the conference opening series between Michigan State and the Illini at Illinois Field will be shown live - on Friday, March 27 at 6 pm and Saturday, March 28 at 3 pm. The first game of the Illini's series at Michigan will be aired live at 6 pm on Friday, April 10.

Fans will be treated live to all 11 games of the 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament played Wednesday, May 20 through Sunday, May 24 on the BTN. The event will take place at the new Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio, the home of the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and will mark the Big Ten's first neutral-site baseball tournament since 1994.

"I'm excited about the exposure that the conference will receive throughout the Big Ten season," said Illinois Baseball coach Dan Hartleb. "The most important aspect of the Big Ten Network schedule is the commitment to air and help develop the Big Ten Tournament. We're excited to show a national audience the quality of baseball in our league and we feel that this commitment will help Big Ten baseball continue to improve its national perception."

Likewise, fans will get a look at Illinois softball early in the conference season. The BTN plans to air the contest with Michigan State during the second week of the conference season on Sunday, March 29 at 2 pm. In addition, both ends of the doubleheader at Iowa will be shown live on Wednesday, April 1 beginning at 5 pm.

"It's exciting for our current players and future Illini to have our games on the Big Ten Network," said Illinois Softball Coach Terri Sullivan. "We use it as a marketing tool for our fans and as a recruiting tool for our coaches. We take great pride in being a part of such a prestigious conference and one that showcases the outstanding softball it produces each year."