The Illinois baseball team will make a preseason trip this November to the Dominican Republic.

According to a news release from the team, the Illini will play games over an eight-day period against Dominican teams.

Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said the trip will give his players a chance to play against teams at Major League Baseball teams' training facilities in the Caribbean country.

The team also plans to spend time doing community service work.

NCAA rules allow baseball teams to travel abroad once every four years but this will be the first trip for Illinois.

Next season's schedule hasn't been set but college baseball teams typically start in February.