The Hill School commemorated 125 years of baseball on Saturday, April 28, 2012 with a celebration of our new baseball field. The day began at noon with a luncheon and dedication ceremony on the baseball field. Former Coach James K. “Doc” Finn, Ph.D., who retired last year, was honored as his 33 years of service to The Hill. View a slideshow of photos.

The dedication began as The Rev. Dr. John Houghton gave "thanks to the benefactors...and those from the past whose gifts continue to support the school." He offered a blessing, "Bless this field and all who play and keep them safe."

Headmaster David R. Dougherty, who gave a brief history of baseball at The Hill (the first team was established in 1887), referred to the sport "as the springtime version of the fifth oldest high school rivalry in the country." That rivalry, of course, is Hill vs. Lawrenceville. He mentioned the game against Lawrenceville about to be played saying "this is our idea of a good time...watching Hill baseball on a brisk spring day."

Headmaster Dougherty then thanked the more than 60 generous friends and alumni who contributed to help The Hill build the new facility. As a token of appreciation for their generosity, commemorative baseball bats bearing The Hill seal were then presented to those donors who were present.

 

 Chris Drowne '89, the Walter Lemley Coach of Varsity Baseball, spoke about his friend and former coach and colleague, James “Doc” Finn, Ph.D. Drowne shared memories of getting to know "Doc" Finn in the classroom and on the baseball diamond as a student and later as a young coach. Chris also thanked Christian Sockel, Geoff Neese ‘00, Jonathan Dressler ‘99, and Bill Robertson ‘92 of the Advancement Office for their work in raising funds for the field. He said, "Doc would most want to be honored by quality play, on a field like this."

A bagpiper then piped the bounds of the entire field, followed by all in attendance at the ceremony, before a typical ballpark fare lunch was served beneath a tent behind the home team dugout.

Later that afternoon, the varsity baseball team took to the field to face Lawrenceville. The team came from behind to defeat the Larries 6-5! The Hill now stands at 9-3. Following the victory, family and friends attended a post-game reception.