Who are the DuPage Angels?
The DuPage Angels Baseball Club is a group of current and former collegiate and ex-professional ball players that compete in the Chicago Suburban Baseball League. The Angels have been members of the CSBL since 2015. The team includes ex-professional players, as well as current and former players from all levels of NCAA, NAIA, and Junior-College baseball.
The Angels franchise has existed since 1989 and was originally founded by Barry Weber, Tom LaForce, Mike Hurley, and Ted Stoik. A few years later Tom LaForce took over as manager and with the help of Chris Cassidy, Jack Pohlmeier, and Geno Tashijian, the Angels became the dominant team in MSBL's Chicago Central League. For the past 27 years the Angels have played in the Chicago Central MSBL uninterrupted, the only team to do so.
The original league was eventually split into three age divisions: 21+, 35+, and 45+. In 2013, Mike Obucina was named manager of the 21+ Angels. The Angels went 17-6 and won the league championship by sweeping the MSBL Royals in a best of three Championship Series on August 24, 2013. After the 2013 season, the 21+ division folded, thus prompting team's move to the CSBL.
What is the Chicago Suburban Baseball League?
The Chicago Suburban Baseball League, organized in 1983 as the Northwest Suburban League, is considered by many to be one of the best semi-pro baseball leagues in the nation. This adult, amateur, wood-bat baseball league features the finest college, former college, future and former professional players in the area. Each team plays 45-65 games a season, including 32-36 league games.
Teams conclude the season by venturing into post-season play with any number of associations, including the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) Stan Musial Tournament, the National Baseball Congress (NBC) Tournament in Wichita, the Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA), and the National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) Collegiate and Major Tournaments. Each summer CSBL teams bring home state or regional championships, and also represent the league in national tournaments. The CSBL boasts several AABC Stan Musial national championships. In 2005, Prairie Gravel won the NBC World Series. In 2007, the Lombard Orioles won the AABC World Series. In 2009, the Crystal Lake Cardinals won the NABF Collegiate World Series. In 2010, the Beecher Muskies won the NABF Major World Series.
Where do the DuPage Angels play?
The CSBL competes throughout the Chicagoland area from as far north as Crystal Lake and Waukegan, to as far west as Oswego, and as far south as Joliet and Beecher. The Angels home for the 2018 season is Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.
How long is the season?
The Angels regular season consists of about 30 games, running from the end of May thru July. The Angels will compete in the National Amateur Baseball Federation Post-Season tournament in 2018. The NABF regional tournament runs from Thursday August 2nd thru Sunday August 5th in Lomard, IL. The winner will advance to the NABF World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dates for the World Series are Thursday August 9th-Sunday August 12th.
