Facebook groups such as “SMU Club Baseball Team” and “I Wish SMU had a Baseball Team” show that there are definitely players and fans who want to bring America’s favorite pastime back to the Hilltop.

Over the past four years, head coach David Hayden has been working to field a team, and this season it looks like he is finally getting the commitment he has been striving for.

“This is the first time I’ve had a group that a good number of guys has stood up [to play]. We’re starting from scratch,” said Hayden.

Explaining that these boys have “a burn to play ball,” Hayden is excited to see how far the team will go this season.

“I want SMU to get back on the diamond, and our new club baseball team is the first step. Our goal is to eventually graduate from club level to the real deal and have baseball as a major sport for our school again,” said Junior Ryan Yarbrough.

This year, with the help of assistant manager Ryan Davis and team manager Kara Maiella, SMU will get a preview of the Mustang baseball program.

“As of this moment, we have 19-plus players on our roster, and our participation in the National Club Baseball Association this spring is inevitable,” said Davis.

The first practice looked promising, with a strong turnout of men ranging from freshmen to graduate students.

Freshman Wade Muldoon explained, “We need to start from the ground and build our way up. I think the club team would be a great way to get to meet new people and play the sport I love in college.”

SMU hasn’t had a baseball team for a variety of reasons including limited practice facilities, lack of money, and lack of interest.

While there used to be a diamond where Westcott Field now stands, the team is now restricted to practicing on the intramural fields and inside the Dedman Center. As for game locations, the team plans on hosting rivals UNT and Baylor at Reverchon Park.

Team manager Kara Maiella explained, “We’re members of the National Club Baseball Association, which allows us to travel around Texas to play some big-time club teams as well as host a few in Dallas.”

The Mustangs will begin playing games in mid-March and will travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech later in the season.

The team held its first practice Sunday on the intramural fields where they practiced basic hitting and catching drills as well as some outfield run-throughs.

Hayden explained that the team is trying to find a more permanent place to practice as well as a hitting area.

But without funding from the school, it’s hard because the players have to pay their own way.

For the team to be competitive, each member is required to pay $360, unless they’re able to find sponsors to help cover the cost. The team plans to have practice at least once a week and once during the weekend. Members are also trying to sell concessions at SMU basketball games to raise money for uniforms and equipment.

“Fielding a predominantly young team, Hayden and the boys have a tough season ahead of them, but are off to a positive start thus far,” said Maiella.

“The interest for baseball on this campus is overwhelming,” she added, “and we hope that this team helps build the strong foundation that will put SMU Baseball back on the map as a collegiate sport in the very near future.”

The team won its first game last Saturday against the Arlington Gators 5-1. It begins play against other college club teams in early March.