Bowling Green baseball program back after team alumni, donors pledge $1.5 million

CLEVELAND — Thrown out, Bowling Green baseball is now safe.

The school said Tuesday it is immediately reinstating its baseball program, which was dropped last month because of financial hardships caused by the covid-19 pandemic. Bowling Green was facing a $2 million athletic budget shortfall, and baseball was cut in hopes of saving other sports from a similar fate.

However, soon after the school’s announcement, a fundraising effort led by former BGSU players and donors brought in enough money to save a program that produced former L.A. Dodgers and Cleveland Indians All-Star pitcher Orel Hershiser.

“In just days, our passionate baseball alumni and donors have committed $1.5 million over the next three years,” athletic department spokesman Jason Knavel said. “During this time, the university, in partnership with a select group of baseball alumni, will pursue a long-term funding solution to sustain and support the program.”

Bowling Green previously said it costs $750,000 per year to run the baseball program.

Other Mid-American Conference schools as well as others around the country have been forced to make difficult financial decisions because of the pandemic. Akron dropped women’s tennis along with men’s cross country and golf.