What Is 1964 Ole Miss Rebels baseball season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1964 Ole Miss Rebels baseball team represented the University of Mississippi in the NCAA University Division baseball season, finishing with a 22–10 overall record and advancing to the College World Series for the second time in program history.

Key Facts

The 1964 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season with a 22–10 overall record
They were coached by Tom Swayze in his 10th season as head coach
The team won the NCAA Mideast Regional to qualify for the College World Series
Ole Miss reached the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, in June 1964
The Rebels placed sixth in the 1964 College World Series after losing to the eventual champion Minnesota Golden Gophers

Overview

The 1964 Ole Miss Rebels baseball season marked a significant achievement for the University of Mississippi, as the team returned to the College World Series for the first time since 1957. Under the leadership of head coach Tom Swayze, who was in his 10th season, the Rebels posted a strong 22–10 overall record and captured the NCAA Mideast Regional title to earn a berth in Omaha.

The team's performance reflected a disciplined approach on both offense and defense, showcasing depth and consistency throughout the season. Though they did not win the national championship, their sixth-place finish in the College World Series highlighted the growing competitiveness of the Ole Miss program on the national stage.

Overall record: The 1964 Ole Miss Rebels finished with a 22–10 win-loss record, one of the best in program history at the time.
Head coach: Tom Swayze led the team in his 10th season, known for his strategic game management and player development.
Postseason qualification: The Rebels won the NCAA Mideast Regional, defeating regional opponents to advance to the College World Series.
College World Series appearance: Ole Miss reached Omaha, Nebraska, in June 1964, marking their second appearance in program history.
Final standing: The team finished in sixth place after losing to the eventual champion Minnesota Golden Gophers in the semifinals.

How It Works

The structure of college baseball in 1964 followed a regional and national tournament format leading to the College World Series, with teams qualifying through conference performance and at-large bids. The NCAA University Division baseball tournament included multiple regional rounds, culminating in an eight-team field in Omaha.

Regional play:Teams competed in double-elimination regionals to determine which schools would advance to the College World Series.
NCAA tournament format:The 1964 tournament featured 26 teams across eight regional sites, with winners advancing to Omaha.
Game strategy:Ole Miss relied on balanced scoring and strong pitching, with a team ERA under 3.00 during the regular season.
Player development:Tom Swayze emphasized fundamentals and consistency, which helped the team maintain performance under pressure.
Travel and logistics:The Rebels traveled to Omaha by plane in June 1964, joining seven other regional champions for the final tournament.
Scoring rules:Games followed standard NCAA baseball rules, with nine innings and extra innings if necessary to determine a winner.

Comparison at a Glance

Here is how the 1964 Ole Miss Rebels compared to other top teams in the 1964 College World Series:

Team	Overall Record	Postseason Result	Head Coach	Notable Achievement
Ole Miss Rebels	22–10	Semifinal exit, 6th place	Tom Swayze	Second CWS appearance in program history
Minnesota Golden Gophers	31–7	National Champions	Dick Siebert	Won third title in program history
Missouri Tigers	25–10	Runner-up	Hi Simmons	First CWS final appearance
Arizona Wildcats	26–11	3rd place	Frank Sancet	Strong offensive performance in Omaha
Arizona State Sun Devils	41–7	4th place	Bob Weinhauer	Best record among CWS teams

The table illustrates that while Ole Miss had a slightly lower win total than some competitors, their sixth-place finish demonstrated strong performance against elite national teams. Their loss to Minnesota, the eventual champion, underscored the high level of competition in the tournament.

Why It Matters

The 1964 season remains a milestone in Ole Miss baseball history, symbolizing sustained excellence and national relevance during a formative era for college baseball. It helped lay the foundation for future recruiting and program development, establishing a legacy of competitiveness.

Program legacy:The 1964 appearance was only the second CWS berth in school history, enhancing the program’s reputation.
Recruiting boost: Success on the national stage helped attract higher-caliber talent in subsequent years.
Historical context:Ole Miss competed during a time of segregation, making their integration into national college baseball significant.
Coaching impact: Tom Swayze’s leadership became a model for future Ole Miss coaches and athletic directors.
Media coverage: The team received regional and national attention, increasing visibility for Southern college baseball.
Alumni pride: The 1964 team remains a point of pride for Ole Miss alumni and sports historians.

Though overshadowed by later achievements, the 1964 season was pivotal in demonstrating that Ole Miss could compete with the best programs in the country, setting a precedent for future success.