The Ohio State Club Baseball team looks to go to the World Series this year, after a disappointing season last year. OSU, which finished 15-2 did not make the playoffs due to two early losses in the season to Miami University (Ohio). Those two losses were costly because Miami went 17-0.
The Buckeyes play in the Great Lakes Conference, South Division. The division consists of six teams. Miami University, Ohio University, University of Dayton, Ball State University, Xavier University and OSU. There is also a northern division which also has six teams.
“Us and Miami usually battle it out for the division crown. I would compare them to Michigan for us,” E.J. Strittmatter senior and club vice president said.
This year the team picked up 13 new players during tryouts in the beginning of October. The tryouts were held at Beekman Field located on the corner of Lane and Kenny.
“We had a good turnout this year. We usually get around 50-60 guys to tryout, this year we had a little over 70,” Mike Murrison, junior and club president said.
This year the Buckeyes want to get back to the World Series and they said they will do whatever it takes. OSU went to two straight World Series before last year.
“The World series is a neat experience. We got to go down to Bradenton, Fla. for a week, got excused from all classes and were able to finish 5th in the tournament,” Ryan Owens, senior first baseman said.
The team holds fundraisers and sells raffle tickets to pay for some of the expenses, which include umpire fees, uniforms, equipment and transportation.
OSU’s old practice facility was located 15 minutes up Interstate 71.
“This year we will be able to save a lot of money in part to the new recreation center opening on Kenny and Woodruff. Last year we had to pay $200 for a complex to practice,” Murrison said.
Sandy Sanderson, president of the National Club Baseball Association, has implemented a new format for the postseason this year. In order for OSU to make it to the World Series, they will have to win their conference or qualify for the wild card. The wild card goes to the team with the best record that did not win their division. There are three divisions in the GLC, north, south and east. Each team that wins its conference will be invited to the Regional tournament, which will consist of a four team playoff. The winner of the Regional tournament will then go to the World Series.
“I grew up my whole life playing baseball. I could of went to a small school and played but I wanted to come to Ohio State,” Strittmatter said. “Club baseball has been one of my best college experiences up here.”
“Club baseball is competitive. Half the guys on our team could of played at a small school but they would not have received that college experience and that is why they came here,” Murrison said.
OSU kicks off its season March 19, 2005 against Xavier University.
