Professional baseball is still at the heart of most Americans even after the big strike a few years ago.

The SMU baseball team definitely is not being paid, or even receiving scholarships for that matter. They aren’t even recognized anymore as a varsity sport. In fact, they are hardly recognized by the school at all.

These athletes aren’t out there for the stardom of playing a college sport. They are out for the love of the game and trying to keep the “field of dreams” alive.

Baseball at SMU had its varsity title taken away in the late ’70s due to Title 9, which basically states that a school must have the same amount of scholarships available for men’s sports as women’s. Hence, baseball was the one that was taken away.

Head coach Andrew Yenne said, “The interest is definitely there to get baseball back on SMU campus as a varsity sport,” head coach Andrew Yenne said. “But, we would need financial support and a women’s varsity sport to be added.”

Yenne’s father, Tom Yenne, is a voluntary coach, who also played for the SMU baseball team in the early ’70s while it was still a varsity sport. The elder, Yenne said there are supportive alumni who would like to see the sport come back as varsity.

Yenne said they have a small fall season lined up playing national defending champions, Texas A&M, Nov. 9. They will also be playing TCU Nov. 16, at TCU. More games TBA.

The baseball team is a part of the NCBA (National Club Baseball Association) in the Gulf Coast division. The spring season will consist of playing teams such as Baylor, Sam Houston, UNT, Tulane, and others.

Whether varsity or club, the game will continue at SMU with tryouts today (Sept. 18) at 5:30.

The team is expecting around five returning players so are looking for a good turnout at tryouts. If playing baseball is not your thing, go support your team and show your Pony Pride.

Try outs are going to be held at Lutheran High school of Dallas. Everyone is welcome. If you need directions or for more information call Andrew at (214) 768-6923.