There is no excuse.”

Lancer Baseball holds the unique standing as the second oldest varsity sport at the college. By starting out in 1948, this season will mark their 54^th season. It all started following World War II. Three veterans: Steve Cronin, George Keville, and Jim Looney formed the men’s athletic association. A faculty advisor was appointed. Basketball started in 1946 and baseball shortly thereafter. Cronin was named a student baseball coach in 1948-49. Jack Eager became the 1^st full-time coach of baseball and basketball--then named Worcester State Teachers College.

A Division III school, the team plays in the MASCAC with state colleges including Fitchburg, Framingham, Salem, Westfield, Bridgewater, Mass. Maritime Academy, and Mass. College (formerly North Adams). Many players from the conference have been drafted into pro baseball and played in the New England Collegiate All-Star Game at both Fenway Park and Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Conn.

In 1983 and 1978 the team won the MASCAC Championship. In 1983 the squad qualified for the NCAA Tournament. The Lancers qualified for the ECAC Tournament in 1978 plus 1998-99-00-01. WSC also won the NESCAC (New England State College Athletic Conference) Titles in 1964 and 1965. The 1964 team went undefeated at 13-0.  Memorable individual moments have included 6 players signing pro contracts, 22 baseball players/coaches in the WSC Hall of Fame, Jason Akana being the nation’s #1 hitter (.514) in 1996, and Tino Proietti’s no-hitter in 1998. Eric Swedberg became the school’s 1^st All-American in both 2000 (2^nd team) and 2001 (1^st team). In 2001 and 1999 the Lancers played in the ECAC New England Championship Game and made the Semi-finals in 2000.

The spring season consists of a 40-game schedule. WSC plays doubleheaders against all conference opponents. They also play many of the Worcester area colleges who play in Division III. The season begins in Fort Myers for 9 games. The team travels to all away conference games in luxury buses and in vans to all others.

The Lancers play a fall season against some of the top teams in New England. Their 5-game fall plus intrasquad games make for an enjoyable beginning to school when the weather is the best.  WSC hosted and won the 2000 WORCESTER FALL CLASSIC which included Holy Cross, Assumption, and Quinsig. The 1998 FLAGSHIP Fall Classic featured 1997 National Champ Southern Maine. WSC also won the 2000 Babson Fall Tournament, and hosted a city college tournament over Columbus Day each year from 1996-1999. In 1997 the Lancers traveled to Oneonta (NY) to play in the College Town Classic and visited the Hall of Fame.

The indoor pre-season (Jan-March) lasts six weeks before the Lancers embark for Florida. They make use of their brand new indoor cage, 2 Jugs machine, 4 portable mounds, 4 soft toss nets, wooden bats for all regulars, and indoor balls. Pitchers and hitters are videotaped throughout the school year.

The team stays in shape year-round with a weight-lifting and conditioning regiment based on the workouts of the top Div. 1 baseball schools in the USA. At their captain practices, the team uses its brand new spacious weight room, gymnasium, and outdoor track. As of 1998, players now make use of the school’s new Astroturf field. Winter practices can then be held outside. Players stay sharp during the summer in the Worcester Stan Musial League. In 1998, the Lancers had two players in the wooden-bat New England Collegiate League. In 2001 Eric Swedberg played for Brewster in the Cape Cod League. Many two-sport athletes play baseball at WSC.

Home games are held at immaculate Tivnan Field. Built in 1995, the field has a full-time groundskeeper, lights for night games, PA system, scoreboard, infield screens, and soft toss nets. They’ll also play games at Foley Stadium, down the street from the campus, and at the Bancroft School. Home games have a DJ, music, introductions and lineups.

WSC has an extensive fund-raising campaign. The team sells ads which makes this media guide possible. This all helps pay for Florida, jackets, major league batting jerseys, and personal equipment. Money is raised by the alumni to purchase player spikes and sweats.

With Worcester State becoming increasingly difficult to get in to, top student-athletes are studying here. In the Springs of 2000 and 2001 alone, 9 players made a 3.0+ GPA. Tim Leonard earned a 4.0 in Spring 1999, graduated with a 3.85 GPA, and won the Howard C. Smith Award as the conference’s top male student athlete. Leonard and Eric Swedberg were Academic All-Americans in 2001. All freshmen have mandatory study hall, and the team does progress reports during the semester. Tutors are available through the individual departments. Players also use the vast computer center in the school’s library.

“Fun is knowing you’re prepared. Fun is when you’re ready to play. Fun is knowing you can take a chance.

That you’re the best and you’re not afraid to lose. That you don’t play for a tie.” Joe Paterno