Spring Hill College is home to Sims-Galle Field, believed to be the oldest continually used collegiate baseball park in the United States. With records of games played in “The Pit” dating back to the 1850s, this historic field has witnessed baseball’s evolution from a simple pastime to the intricate sport it is today. Amid today’s shiny stadiums and elaborate jumbotrons, Sims-Galle Field stands out for its simplicity and rich history.
The same tall, white pillared Quinlan Hall, which stood when iconic players such as Babe Ruth, Frank Chance, Hank Aaron, Billy Williams, and Frank Bolling played at Sims-Galle Field, still rises behind home plate, just as it did in 1898, the year it was built. The same concrete wall that has supported generations of fans as they leaned over to see who was at bat still lines the perimeter, waiting for another warm spring day when spectator will hop up and swing their legs against its ivy-covered surface.
In the field’s early days, fans would walk or ride horses to the games. Later, as cars became common, Badgers fans could drive down Old Shell Road, spot a sign reading “Baseball Game Today,” and pull into Spring Hill’s campus for an afternoon matchup. Night games did not begin until 2002, when recently retired head baseball coach Frank Sims installed field lights.
Sims, who led the Spring Hill Badgers for 37 years, worked to preserve the stadium’s historic charm while introducing thoughtful improvements. During his tenure, he added the first base dugout, a new backstop wall and netting, and also regraded and rebuilt the field. Every new feature was meticulously planned with care to maintain the park’s beloved character.
“When Coach Sims came in, he started the process of trying to modernize the field without losing the feel of where it was at,” says Joe Niland, Athletic Director at Spring Hill.
Professional teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs, once used the field for spring training. In the 1850s, brothers Nemesio and Ernesto Guilló, as well as their friend Enrique Porto, learned the game on this very field. When they returned home to Havana, Cuba, in the 1860s, they brought baseball with them and introduced the sport to the island for the first time.
After all these years, the Spring Hill baseball experience remains much like it was on its first opening day, and that’s how the fans prefer it. Admission is still free. The old perimeter wall still serves as a perch for swinging legs. Oak trees continue to line the edge of the outfield. Overall, the park offers a rare chance to step back in time while taking in the picturesque, enduring game of baseball. TG
