Posts By: Tyler Thompson

Eric Brauer to lead 7u Sparks group in 2025

Our 7u Sparks experience will include organized practices, indoor scrimmages, 10-12 mid-week games, 1 end-of-year tournament, and a membership to Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports. A membership gives our players unlimited cage use, exclusive use of our infield Nov-May 4:00-6:00pm, and instructional member time from 5:00-6:00pm (Nov-May). This group will be led by Eric Brauer. Eric…

Bring your team over!

In 2016, we merged Cangelosi Baseball and Illinois Sparks with one mission: create the best travel baseball experience in the Midwest! That includes compiling the best staff, network (college and pro) training curriculum, playing schedule, and access to the best facilities and technology. It also means that we can create an experience that could facilitate…

Blast Softball Expanding

With early success in our first season with Bo Jackson’s Blast Softball, we are excited to grow in the 2024-2025 season. Our 12u Blast-Guardi and 13u Blast-Ballantine teams both have strong starts to their seasons, boasting impressive records of 25-11 and 16-8-1, respectively. Since last fall, these teams have taken full advantage of their opportunity…

Blast Softball Additional Tryouts on Tuesday, July 25th

Blast Softball is hosting an additional night of tryouts for our 12u, 13u & 14u teams on Tuesday, July 25th from 6:00-8:00pm. The specific team needs are listed below: 12u Guardi 1 spot available Pitcher/utility 13u Ballantine 3 spots available Pitcher/utility Catcher INF/OF 14u Arenibar 4 spots available Pitcher/utility Catcher INF/OF INF/OF Tryouts are FREE…

14u Blast Softball Added for 2023-2024 Season

We are bringing Bo Jackson Blast Softball from our Columbus, Ohio facility to Lockport. Our players are provided with year-round training and complete access to the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Dome. This “elite” membership allows our players the opportunity to train on their own schedule and take their game to the next level. During the…

Introducing Blast Softball to Lockport, IL

We are bringing Bo Jackson Blast Softball from our Columbus, Ohio facility to Lockport. Our players are provided with year-round training and complete access to the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Dome. This “elite” membership allows our players the opportunity to train on their own schedule and take their game to the next level. During the…

2023-2024 Cangelosi Sparks Tryouts coming up!

Next month begins our tryouts for the Cangelosi Sparks 2023-2024 season. Below you will find the tryout dates, times, and registration, along with the projected teams for next season. We are still having conversations and seeking out coaches for an additional team at the 9u, 12u, and 14u age groups. If you have any interest…

Former Prairie State College Head Coach to manage 13u Sparks in 2024

We would like to announce that former Prairie State College Head Coach, Bill Storrs, will manage a 13u Cangelosi Sparks team for the 2023-2024 season. Bill played at Shepard High School (2003 grad) before continuing his playing career at Prairie State College. He went on to coach at his alma mater from 2009-2014 winning a…

Homewood Bat Co Named the Official Bat of Cangelosi Sparks

We’re proud to announce that we have teamed up with Homewood Bat Co to offer our players the opportunity to swing customized pro-grade bats, at a special team price. Homewood Bat, located in Chicago, is the official bat of Bobby Witt Jr, Sparks Alumni Michael Massey, and over 150 other pro players. Homewood Bat Co…

What’s new for the Sparks in 2023?

As an organization, we are constantly striving to provide our players with the best resources and opportunities to reach their goals. Here’s what is new for the 2022-2023 Sparks season: Bigger.Stronger.Faster Sports Performance (BSF) Semi-private price adjustment Members will now have access to our semi-private offering at a drastically reduced price. As a business, we…