California’s athletic budgetary issues took their toll on the baseball program Tuesday as university officials notified coach Dave Esquer and the team the program was getting cut as a result of the athletic department tightening its budget, Yahoo! Sports has learned.

More From Kendall RogersHaden determined to bring USC back Sep 27, 2010 Five fall keys: Texas has few big holes to fill Sep 27, 2010 The Golden Bears have been in the news the past few months because of their major budgetary issues. The Bears have exceeded their athletic department budget by $10-$13 million in recent years, which prompted university officials to search for solutions.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau formed an eight-member committee to find the issues and offer possible solutions to put the department back in positive business. The results of the 15-page report, which include the elimination of the baseball program, will be announced today.

The Bears also will stop fully funding the men’s rugby program and also have cut the men’s and women’s gymnastics and women’s lacrosse teams.

The news is even more disappointing for the Bears considering what the future seemed to hold. Cal reached the NCAA postseason last season with a 29-25 overall record. It also is primed to have an excellent ’11 campaign with expectations of reaching the College World Series.

California, which has won two national titles and made five trips to the CWS, will be finished as a program after the ’11 season unless something changes. The program was started in 1892.

A source with knowledge of the situation believes this may not be the last we hear about the baseball program and that a ploy to save the program likely will be made.

ESQUER!!!!