The Penn State Baseball Club was founded in 1996 by student Dan Snyder, who saw the need for an opportunity beyond varsity tryouts for passionate and talented baseball players at Penn State. After attending walk-on tryouts and witnessing how many skilled athletes were cut, Snyder decided to create a club where students could continue playing competitive baseball. With support from the university and overwhelming student interest (more than 200 inquiries in the first semester alone), the Penn State Baseball Club was officially approved as a club sport in April 1996.

The club launched its first fall league in the same year, featuring six teams and a growing roster of players eager to stay in the game. Despite occasional weather cancellations and modest funding, the league quickly became a hub for student-athletes who loved the sport. Players wore shirts from their former teams and cheered each other on with energy and camaraderie that defined the club’s spirit.

Driven by the momentum of the fall league, the club expanded into a spring travel team, competing against other colleges across the region. Under the leadership of vice president Greg “Sandy” Sanderson, the club scheduled road games, entered tournaments, and even set its sights on national events like the Gulf Coast Classic in Florida.

With each passing year, the club improved, adding certified umpires, refining its organizational structure, and increasing visibility on campus. By the time Snyder graduated, the club had become one of the most active and inclusive athletic communities at Penn State.

Today, the Penn State Baseball Club continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of its founding members and the passion of hundreds of student-athletes who keep the legacy alive.