Baseball was once a hot sport in Black neighborhoods nationwide. Top African American baseball players were revered the way NFL and NBA players are today.
But it hasn’t been that way since the late 20th century, and increasingly young Black athletes looking for college opportunities have opted for football and basketball, rather than baseball. But the sport is still being played at several HBCUs, and recently Tennessee State announced it would be bringing baseball back after an absence of over three decades.
Athletic director Dr. Mikki Allen and outgoing President Glenda Glover made the announcement, setting a target date for baseball’s return as early as 2025 and no later than 2028. It will be accompanied by the addition of women’s soccer, swimming and diving, moves that will keep the school compliant with Title IX guidelines.
This time the hope is enough funds will be raised to launch the program in a competitive manner. A major reason for its demise in 1993-1994 was an insufficient budget, coupled with the declining state of the physical field. Attempts to interest some of MLB’s top Black players at the time to get involved in or directly contribute to fundraising efforts never were successful, plus the Tigers were either in the cellar or next to last for the program’s final six seasons after joining the Ohio Valley Conference in 1988.
While no personnel announcements have yet been made, getting a topflight coach is certainly a high priority. Secondly, finding a place to play and recruiting players.
MLB has long talked about its desire to spark more interest in the sport among young people and to provide more Black multi sport athletes who play baseball in high school the opportunity to continue it in college. Coming to the aid of TSU in this effort would certainly be a good step.
Also, this is a natural tie-in with the group trying to bring a Major League team to Nashville, as well as the chance to forge a coalition with the Sounds.
Considering the fact Vanderbilt, Belmont and MTSU also have baseball teams provides the opportunity for establishing area rivalries. There’s also a chance to re-establish Ohio Valley ties or even consider some other Conference affiliation.
Whatever path is chosen, getting baseball back on the Tennessee State University campus is something to celebrate. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.
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