Thank You Alums!

Dear Central Alum/Baseball supporter,                                                                                                                                                                                               July 1, 2026

                Greetings! I hope all is well with you and your family. Your kind donations in the past have been crucial in helping us continue our efforts to improve the program. The 2026 baseball Maroons had another successful season compiling a 32-7 record. The Varsity hosted and won its 31st Regional Championship by beating  Danville and Normal Werst. It's our 9th regional plaque in the last twelve seasons! Central went on to defeat Chatham Glenwood before losing to Normal U High in the Mt. Zion Sectional Championship game. It was the 4th consecutive year the Maroons played for the Sectional title.  Moreover, Central won its 16th Big 12 Conference Title tying Normal Community with a 17-1 league mark. Thanks again for your financial support. We couldn't have accomplished great things on the diamond without you! Your generosity is an essential part of our program's success. We appreciate your continued support of Champaign Central baseball.

         Because of the financial help of our alumni and supporters, new baseball sweats were purchased for all the players in the program. Your donations were also used to fund a Spring Break trip for the Varsity and JV teams to Edwardsville, IL.  Monies were used to rent an indoor facility for winter workouts as well as purchasing needed equipment to help our players prepare for the season. We are proud of our 2026 seniors Bryce Clark, Tre Cole (Wright State commit), Isacc Huddleston, Mark Johnson, Wilson McDaniel and Ian Weber. We wish them all the best moving forward!

         The 2027 season is set to begin March 1.  Our Unit 4 budget for the program this season is only $1,000. This alone will not cover the cost of baseballs needed for each of our three teams during the season. With your continued support, we would like to pursue a Southern spring break trip, practice sweats, t-shirt and short for every player in the program.  Monies will also fund the purchase of equipment and training aids for our players. Revenue was also be used to send our coaching staff to the ABCA Clinic in Chicago in January. We would also like to add lighting to our bullpen areas on our game field.  These are a few of the projects we would like to complete in the near future.

         Our student-athletes will be working hard to raise money for the program through our annual leaf-raking venture in the fall, selling raffle tickets during the winter months in advance of our Triple Play Auction fundraiser just prior to the start of the season. We streamed the auction event live on our Facebook page and we thank those who bid on auction items. Please follow us on our social media platforms for updates. Congrats to the 9th annual Central Baseball Euchre Tournament winners Eric Ward and Jared Decker! This fun event will once again be hosted by The City Center in January, 2027. 

         Former Maroon great Ryan Logsdon spoke at our First-Pitch Banquet on March 8. The life of former Maroon Drew Adams ('20) was again celebrated with a moment of silence prior to our game against Centennial on May 1. Banner sponsors were recognized prior to our May 15 home game against Big 12 rival Danville. On May 23, we won the 35th annual Charlie Due Wood Bat Tournament, defeating Mt. Zion in the championship game. The tourney was again expanded to an 8-team format. Former Maroon booster and supporter Dave Logsdon, who passed away earlier this year, was honored prior to the first pitch of the tournament. We look forward to the 36th Due tourney in May of 2027 at Spalding Park where we plan to recognize any alum who attends our games.

         With your continued financial support, we can better provide our players with the things they need to make their baseball experience here at CHS a rewarding one. If you are able, please think of us again this year. Whether you contact us to rake your yard, buy a raffle ticket, bid on auction items, purchase a fence banner, or simply donate to the program, we greatly appreciate your support of Champaign Central Baseball! Take care and GO MAROONS! 

Sincerely,

John R. Staab - Social Studies Dept. Chair and Head Baseball Coach (217.840.6077)