FARMINGTON – Hippach Field, the site of countless high school, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball games, will turn 100 this year. To celebrate the centennial, an 1860s-style baseball game under the lights will headline a series of events this Saturday.
The Centennial Celebration is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, although attendees are welcome to show up half an hour early to grab a hotdog and check out the Farmington Historical Society’s exhibits. There is no charge for anything associated with the Hippach Field event.
It was 100 years ago when the athletic fields were named for Howard Hippach, a talented athlete and Abbott School student, who was killed in an automobile accident. The Abbott School for boys (1844-1918) was once located next to the fields before the property was purchased by the Farmington Normal School, now the University of Maine at Farmington.
Hippach’s family donated money to the Abbott School for the purchase of the field next to the school to hold athletic events. Early on the field included a track, field house and a wooden and brick fence that includes two sculptural relief panels depicting baseball and football players bordering Main Street.
The only remnant of Abbott School is Abbott Park, which sits between UMF’s Roberts Learning Center and Hippach Field. The well-used park is a centerpiece of Farmington that features a regulation-size baseball field, a little league baseball field, tennis courts, a playground, picnic area and wading pool.
A collection of local historians, event organizers and town officials have worked to create a special event to commemorate the creation of Hippach Field, which nearly rivals 104-year-old Fenway Park in Boston in age. Roger Spear, Paul Mills, Dave and Ellie Duley and William “Bucky” Leighton have worked with Town Manager Richard Davis, Recreation Director Matt Foster and Police Chief Jack Peck on a planning committee that has designed an evening of free entertainment.
Mills will open the program at 6:30 p.m. with Spear leading the audience in a rendition of the classic Take me out to the Ballgame and Davis providing welcoming remarks. The Hippach family will be in attendance to be recognized by Mills, with Spear providing some history of the field. Roger Lambert will read the classic Casey at the Bat and Sammie Angel has been tapped to sing the National Anthem. Members of the local Cal Ripken League will be handing out programs and participating in the event.
The first pitch will be thrown out by Edward Spalding, Howard Hippach’s great nephew, and the game will be underway at 7 p.m. The Dirigo Vintage Base Ball Club, a nonprofit living history organization which tours the state playing by the old time rules and wearing authentic looking mid-19th century uniforms, will be taking on the Sunrise Base Ball Club. The Dirigo Vintage club includes Jake “Shoeless” Newcomb, a UMF graduate.
The 1860-style rules are different from those baseball fans may be used to today. Fielders will be able to catch balls on a bounce for an out and fouls don’t count as strikes. Gloves won’t be used.
Hotdogs, popcorn and drinks will be served beginning at 6 p.m. at no cost. Down Front Street, the Narrow Gauge Cinema will be getting in on the fun by showing Field of Dreams matinees at no cost on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gifford’s will be running a special ice cream promotion from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
In addition to the Farmington Historical Society’s exhibit, antique Model T cars will be displayed.
Meeting with the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, Spear said that the long range weather forecast looked promising and that organizers were hoping for a good turnout. Parking will be available at a number of surrounding lots, with extra Farmington and UMF police standing by to direct traffic. It is recommended that those in attendance bring lawn chairs for the game.
Spear noted that while selectmen had originally offered public support for the event if necessary, the generosity of local businesses and individuals would allow the event to proceed without utilizing taxpayer money. Major contributors to the event include Franklin Savings Bank, Hannaford, Narrow Gauge Cinemas and Franklin Printing. Other contributors of either money, materials or personnel include UMF, WKTJ, the Farmington Historical Society, ARAMARK, Signworks, Gifford’s Ice Cream, Tranten’s, McDonald’s, Burger King and Sweet Life Kettle Corn Co., as well as Tim Hupp, Henry Noonkester, Bussie York, Roger Spear and John Anderson.
Looks like the weather will cooperate for this unique event.
The Abbott School for Boys actually endured into the early 1930’s. It was a magnet for families from all over the world, including besides the Chicago Hippach family, the Ibarguens from Guatemala.
Another clarification on the write-up. Though Hippach Field is the most prominent remnant
of the Abbott School at least two others also remain.
One is what is known now as Franklin Hall, the white UMF building at the corner of South and Main Streets.
Another would be the Abbott Park, below the Ed Center.