Rules We Don't Like

[Anonymous67]

Originally Posted by Jim Mills

That's the standard m.o. around here, too. By "sponsorship", I didn't mean to imply "financial support", or equal footing with a varsity program concerning facilities. It meant only that the school has to recognize the club and provide a faculty sponsor in order for it to be sanctioned by the NCBA. I'm not expert in the organization's operations, but I think it's to help ensure that only full-time, currently enrolled students are on the roster.

From a management study standpoint, it's a fascinating organization. It was started in the mid-90's by a Penn State student who got cut during varsity tryouts. In ten years it's grown to nearly 150 teams and 25 conferences across the country, complete with a national tournament culminating in an eight-team national championship series on Memorial Day weekend. They'll play it at the Red Sox's minor league park in Florida in 2007.

Not bad for a college kid who just wanted to keep playing.

In some areas, where colleges have eliminated baseball to help satisfy Title IX, club ball is the only opportunity for students to play.