MSU Billings Announces It Will Not Add Baseball This Year (Mar. 12. 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – After a detailed feasibility study and months of research, Montana State University-Billings has decided not to add baseball for the 2004-2005 school year.  The administration did not rule out adding the University’s thirteenth intercollegiate sport in the future.

“In the many conversations we had with baseball people around Billings, we received great feedback and support,” said Athletic Director Dr. Gary Gray.  “We have been contacted by a number of people with interest in a new baseball program, from potential coaches to parents and student-athletes.  We believe there is a solid base of people who would support NCAA baseball in Billings, but we also got the sense that the timing might not be perfect to start competing next season.  We don’t need to add another sport for compliance reasons because we already have two more sports than is required by the NCAA.”

MSU Billings sponsors 12 intercollegiate varsity teams, nine of which will compete in the Pacific West Conference next season when the conference expands from five championships to nine.  The NCAA minimum for Division II membership for a university is 10 varsity sports.

Gray said that a confluence of events resulted in the decision to hold off on adding baseball next season.  “The Chancellor (Dr. Ron Sexton) and I both feel that there could be adequate support for collegiate baseball in Billings.  However, some of the key supporters who said they would support us and help us get baseball started also said they are committed to helping the Billings Family Recreation Committee with its efforts to pass the bond issue for a new Cobb Field.  Obviously, we support that effort as a member of the Billings sports community, and we felt it would be wise to consider adding baseball a year or two from now.”

Gray said the school would move forward with forming a baseball steering committee to look further into the steps needed for adding baseball in the future.  Community members are still encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas by calling 657-2282 or emailing ggray@msubillings.edu.