Shaffer Park marks 60 years on North High Street
Lead Summary
By
Sue Boatman and Lori Tuttle-
This summer, Shaffer Park is celebrating its 60th anniversary in its current location on North High Street in Hillsboro.
In 1954, a handful of members of the Hillsboro community decided to start a Little League baseball program. The Hillsboro Recreation Commission's roots are traced to the Highland County Fairgrounds.
Five Little League teams, and eventually, three Babe Ruth teams were organized and played their first games at the fairgrounds. When the local Little League was organized, Hillsboro High School baseball, a fast-pitch softball league and an independent league played on a single diamond on the grounds.
Some of Hillsboro's first coaches and organizers included Jake Wagoner, Dick Shaffer, Bob Hamm, Frank Collins, George Boone, Norman DeHass, Jim Carey, Bill Mallory and Dan Reed.
In 1961, the teams made the move to what is now Shaffer Park when the Highland County Chamber of Commerce bought the land on North High Street for the leagues. This purchase included only the east side of the park, where the A league, Pony League and girls' diamonds now exist.
While the fields were being built, the teams played in the grass where the new Hillsboro water treatment plant is located.
Meanwhile, volunteer efforts were underway. People who had already put in eight-hour days installed poles and lights every evening. Numerous electricians, carpenters, businessmen and utility companies contributed to the park's development.
The community's efforts never ceased, even through a huge flood in 1965 caused by seven inches of rain in two hours. The flood wiped out most of the volunteers' hard work, but construction resumed.
The City of Hillsboro purchased the west side of the park in 1966, which allowed a Babe Ruth and C League diamond to be built. The girls' leagues were formed in the early 1970s and shared the boys' Pony League diamond.
In 1992, after the adult softball association moved to Liberty Park, construction began on the girls' softball complex. Alice Cassner was a special benefactor, and in 1993, the grand opening of Cassner Field was held. Two more softball diamonds were added the next year.
In 1988, the park was named after Richard “Dick” Shaffer, who donated many hours and much hard work to make the park one of the best in southern Ohio.
In 2008, a major building project was undertaken by now-park director Bruce Davis. New bathrooms and a new concession stand were constructed on the third-base side of the Raymond R. Stout Post 129 Field, and an office, umpires' room and press box were built on the first-base side. Most of the money and work on these projects was donated by the local community and businesses.
In 2011, the original two diamonds were named after Dan W. Reed and Frank “Squeak” Collins, who, along with Shaffer, were the first appointed commissioners by the City of Hillsboro.
In the mid-1970s, the Hillsboro Recreation Commission began hosting what was known as the Tournament of Champions, which included tournaments for 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under and 16-and-under players. This event drew dozens of teams to Hillsboro each year in late July until the event ceased due to many unforeseen factors in 2018.
The Hillsboro Little League program, which started with eight teams, has impressively grown to include approximately 50 teams. The park now has four baseball diamonds and three softball diamonds and is home to the Hillsboro High School baseball and softball teams and Post 129 Legion Baseball team. To supplement the Post 129 team, a junior Legion team was added in 2020.
In 2017, seven businesses, including Pepsi, Long's Retreat Family Resort, First State Bank, Sherwood Auto and Camper Sales, Adena Health System, Hillsboro Lions Club and South Central Power, donated new scoreboards to the park.
To learn more about Shaffer Park and its teams, go to: https://www.facebook.com/RichardShafferPark.
In 1954, a handful of members of the Hillsboro community decided to start a Little League baseball program. The Hillsboro Recreation Commission's roots are traced to the Highland County Fairgrounds.
Five Little League teams, and eventually, three Babe Ruth teams were organized and played their first games at the fairgrounds. When the local Little League was organized, Hillsboro High School baseball, a fast-pitch softball league and an independent league played on a single diamond on the grounds.
Some of Hillsboro's first coaches and organizers included Jake Wagoner, Dick Shaffer, Bob Hamm, Frank Collins, George Boone, Norman DeHass, Jim Carey, Bill Mallory and Dan Reed.
In 1961, the teams made the move to what is now Shaffer Park when the Highland County Chamber of Commerce bought the land on North High Street for the leagues. This purchase included only the east side of the park, where the A league, Pony League and girls' diamonds now exist.
While the fields were being built, the teams played in the grass where the new Hillsboro water treatment plant is located.
Meanwhile, volunteer efforts were underway. People who had already put in eight-hour days installed poles and lights every evening. Numerous electricians, carpenters, businessmen and utility companies contributed to the park's development.
The community's efforts never ceased, even through a huge flood in 1965 caused by seven inches of rain in two hours. The flood wiped out most of the volunteers' hard work, but construction resumed.
The City of Hillsboro purchased the west side of the park in 1966, which allowed a Babe Ruth and C League diamond to be built. The girls' leagues were formed in the early 1970s and shared the boys' Pony League diamond.
In 1992, after the adult softball association moved to Liberty Park, construction began on the girls' softball complex. Alice Cassner was a special benefactor, and in 1993, the grand opening of Cassner Field was held. Two more softball diamonds were added the next year.
In 1988, the park was named after Richard “Dick” Shaffer, who donated many hours and much hard work to make the park one of the best in southern Ohio.
In 2008, a major building project was undertaken by now-park director Bruce Davis. New bathrooms and a new concession stand were constructed on the third-base side of the Raymond R. Stout Post 129 Field, and an office, umpires' room and press box were built on the first-base side. Most of the money and work on these projects was donated by the local community and businesses.
In 2011, the original two diamonds were named after Dan W. Reed and Frank “Squeak” Collins, who, along with Shaffer, were the first appointed commissioners by the City of Hillsboro.
In the mid-1970s, the Hillsboro Recreation Commission began hosting what was known as the Tournament of Champions, which included tournaments for 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under and 16-and-under players. This event drew dozens of teams to Hillsboro each year in late July until the event ceased due to many unforeseen factors in 2018.
The Hillsboro Little League program, which started with eight teams, has impressively grown to include approximately 50 teams. The park now has four baseball diamonds and three softball diamonds and is home to the Hillsboro High School baseball and softball teams and Post 129 Legion Baseball team. To supplement the Post 129 team, a junior Legion team was added in 2020.
In 2017, seven businesses, including Pepsi, Long's Retreat Family Resort, First State Bank, Sherwood Auto and Camper Sales, Adena Health System, Hillsboro Lions Club and South Central Power, donated new scoreboards to the park.
To learn more about Shaffer Park and its teams, go to: https://www.facebook.com/RichardShafferPark.