This spring, sophomore Jeremy Berger may be bringing baseball to USF St. Petersburg.
Berger is in the process of adding USFSP to the list of schools involved in the National Club Baseball Association across the state.
The NCBA is a program that governs baseball clubs throughout colleges across the country. Separate from the NCCA and official college baseball teams, the NCBA teams are not funded or sponsored by their respective schools. NCBA teams still compete at a national level but play the majority of their season against colleges in their home state.
Berger hired an executive board of four students to help promote and run the club. Any full time student under the age of 25 can play on the team. The team is looking for about 40 players to join, with some of those as reserve players.
The club plans to construct a business model and apply for funding for the spring. Without adequate funding, the team will be limited to a preliminary exhibition series, which will consist of approximately four games. The team has expressed their desire to avoid an exhibition season and wants to compete in a full season against other colleges in Florida.
Berger said the team would probably play an exhibition series if it was the only option, but feels a lot of talent and interest would be lost, especially from upperclassmen.
Berger knows people involved in the NCBA who have much praise for the organization.
“It is an opportunity for the entire campus to get behind and support a sports team and a chance to build long term connections and friendships almost like a fraternity; you become a brotherhood,” Berger said.
“I want people to see students wearing a USFSP baseball shirt and know they are part of something good.”
The team has four potential locations to host their games this year, but the final spot is determined based on the level of funding they receive. Berger’s first choice is Al Lang Stadium, which will be open in the spring during the Rowdies’ offseason.
For more information on how to get involved with the team, email Berger at jeremyberger@mail.usf.edu. Students can join the Facebook group to stay updated on the team by searching “USFSP Club Baseball.”
