HU Club Baseball’s Inaugural Season Begins

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — April 18th, 2003

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HU Club Baseball’s Inaugural Season Begins 

In the fall of 2002, Howard University Club Baseball (HUCB) was organized by former members of the varsity baseball team in response to the cancellation of the Division I program. 

 

HUCB is now under the auspices of the Director of the Armour J. Blackburn University Center, Ms. Roberta McLeod. 

 

Because the baseball program is no longer under the umbrella of the Athletic Department, the club has adopted the motto of "Reaching Beyond the Break" to represent their efforts to keep baseball alive on campus. 

 

The HUCB offers its members a great opportunity to play baseball while continuing their education at Howard University. Although club baseball is not as competitive as varsity baseball, it still provides members an avenue to excel the next level of baseball.

 

Since its formation, HUCB has joined the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA), a governing body for club baseball teams. 

 

HUCB is also a member of the Mid-Atlantic Conference and competes against George Washington University, University of Maryland College Park, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Loyola University, James Madison University, University of Virginia, Richmond University, and Virginia Tech. 

 

Through the NCBA, members of the HUCB gain exposure to professional scouts and it creates an opportunity for them to play against colleges they never played before.

 

Also, by joining the NCBA, HUCB has a goal to reach-to represent the Mid-Atlantic Conference in the NCBA World Series. 

 

The NCBA World Series is a single elimination tournament and takes place at the end of the season.

 

Winners of each conference go head-to-head to determine the champions for the season.

 

This year's World Series is being held in Bradenton, Florida.

 

HUCB kicked of its inaugural with a bang beating UMBC at the end of March. 

 

However, the club has struggled since winning its first game, but they remain with a positive outlook. 

 

Senior outfielder Keith Sneed said, "Everything will fall into place. It is just good to have an opportunity to play baseball while still at Howard. We have made the best of a very bad situation."

 

This is the general consensus, especially from former members of the varsity team. 

 

Everyone is happy to be playing the game they love at a such a competitive level.

 

Intramural Department and Intramural Coordinator Dexter Harris, former scout for the Atlanta Braves, is the head coach of the club. 

 

The club operations are a lot different from what the members were used. The players are responsible for team business.

 

Scheduling games, getting a field to practice and play on and paying for umpires are all activities they conduct with the guidance of Mr. Harris.

 

The club had to raise money to purchase new uniforms, equipment and to cover other expenses incurred by the club. 

 

This Saturday, April 19, the HUCB inaugural season continues at Banneker Field. They will be playing a double-header against the University of Maryland College Park HUCB at 11:00am will be playing two games versus the starting at (all games are free). 

 

Richard Harris, President and organizer of HUCB, invites all to stop by this weekend and support their efforts to "Reach Beyond the Break".