It’s been a while, but the postseason for Illinois high school “spring” sports is just about to resume.

There hasn’t been postseason play for any sport since early March 2020 – and it’s been a two-year wait for all spring sports after being cancelled a year ago due to COVID-19.

But that all changes next week.

Baseball is one of the sports that will begin postseason play and two of the local teams – Teutopolis and St. Anthony – are seeded No. 1 in their respective regionals. Effingham is seeded No. 5.

All regional games will be played at the home of the higher seed. So as a top seed, the Shoes and Bulldogs will continue to play at home as long as they win. If they lose, the season is over.

That’s how it works in the postseason. It’s always like sudden death.

Below is a look at the respective regionals for St. Anthony, Teutopolis and Effingham.

The Bulldogs are competing in the Class 1A Regional A. Their first game will be Friday, June 4. They will face either Hutsonville or Oblong. Game time is 4:30 p.m. at Evergreen Hollow Park.

The winner will play for the championship of that regional on Monday, June 7. The winner will play either Dieterich or North Clay. Game time has not yet been set.

The Wooden Shoes will compete in the Class 2A Regional A. THS will play either Lawrenceville or Salem at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 4. The game will be played at the Teutopolis baseball diamond.

The winner will then face Greenville or Flora for the regional championship. That game will be played Monday, June 7. Game time has not yet been determined.

The Hearts will play in the Class 3A Regional C. They will play at Mattoon at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 3. The winner will then play either Olney or Troy Triad on Monday, June 7, in the title game. The time for that game has not been set.

Regional winners will advance to sectional play. Sectional games will be on Wednesday, June 9, and Friday, June 11. Sites and game times will be determined after the regionals are completed.