A Legacy Forged in the South: The History of Mercer University Baseball
The Mercer University baseball program boasts a rich history, dating back to its inception in 1871. From its humble beginnings to producing major league talent and achieving conference success, Mercer baseball has become an integral part of the university's athletic identity. The Mercer Bears are the athletic teams of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, United States. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia with an NCAA Division I athletic program and fields teams in eight men's and nine women's sports.
Early Years and Claude Smith's Enduring Impact
In 1943, Claude Smith arrived at Mercer as a physical education instructor, laying the groundwork for Mercer baseball's greatness. After World War II, when the University resumed intercollegiate athletics, Smith became the baseball coach in 1948. During his 34 years at Mercer, Smith played an outsize role in growing Mercer baseball in talent and prestige. Over time, Smith built a team and tended the field as an expert groundskeeper.
Smith received numerous honors throughout his career. In 1971, he was recognized for 25 years of service by the American Association of College Baseball Coaches. Claude Smith Field was named for the legendary coach in 1977. His Mercer legacy lives on through his son, Claude Smith Jr., who is a Double Bear and current senior associate vice president and director of planned giving at Mercer. Today, Claude Smith's name adorns the baseball field at Mercer University’s OrthoGeorgia Park, a testament to his dedication and lasting influence.
From the SIAA to the Southern Conference: A Century of Competition
Mercer's athletic history is intertwined with various conferences, reflecting the evolving landscape of collegiate sports. Mercer was a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) from 1906 to 1911 and from 1919 to 1937; the university won the conference championship in basketball in 1922 and 1924. Without leaving the SIAA, which focused mostly on basketball and track, Mercer was a charter member of the Dixie Conference in 1930; the university played football in the new conference from 1930 to 1942 and won the conference championship in 1932. Mercer suspended athletics in 1942 during World War II, but rejoined the Dixie Conference from 1948 to 1954 in all sports (except football, Mercer did not revive the sport after the war).
In 1978, Mercer became a charter member of the Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC), later known as the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). Mercer was the only charter member remaining with the conference before moving to the Southern Conference. On July 1, 2014, Mercer joined the Southern Conference, marking a new chapter in its athletic endeavors.
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Major League Connections and Notable Alumni
The Mercer University baseball program has produced several players who have gone on to play in Major League Baseball. Did you know that there were sixteen former Mercer University ballplayers who made it to the majors? One notable example is Brad Hogg. "After the season, when Major League baseball outlawed 'trick deliveries' including his (Brad Hogg) spitball / shineball, he voluntarily retired - making him the first spitballer to retire as a direct result of the new rule - and became a full-time lawyer." - Hogg, Brad. Playing With Legends. This quote is taken from an article (Spitting on Diamonds) that appears exclusively on Baseball Almanac.
Beyond baseball, Mercer boasts a diverse range of accomplished alumni, including Wally Butts, one of the greatest personalities in Georgia sports history. After his playing days at Mercer, Butts served as the head coach at UGA from 1939 to 1960 and as the school's athletic director from 1939 to 1963; he is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Other notable alumni are Joseph "Phoney" Smith and Bill Yoast.
Recent Successes and Program Growth
In recent years, the Mercer baseball program has experienced significant growth and success. In 2013, Mercer won the conference regular season championship and advanced to the NCAA Division I Starkville Regional losing to the University of South Alabama and the University of Central Arkansas. The team finished the season with a 43-18 record, the best in university history.
Mercer opens each baseball season with the annual First Pitch Classic. First held in 2009, the event welcomes a distinguished guest with extensive baseball experience to the Macon campus; highlights include an autograph session and an evening banquet featuring the guest as the primary speaker.
Jim Cole, a Mercer graduate and a former minor league, professional baseball player in the Milwaukee Brewers system, is Mercer's athletics director. Cole replaced Bobby Pope who retired on June 30, 2010 after 21 years as athletics director. Pope was affiliated with Mercer for 40 years starting in 1970 as a radio announcer, and in 1980 became sports information director. He became athletics director in 1989 and oversaw construction of the University Center and renovation of the baseball, softball, and tennis facilities.
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Facilities and Future Development
Mercer University has invested significantly in its athletic facilities, providing state-of-the-art resources for its student-athletes. Mercer opened the University Center (also known as Hawkins Arena) on the Macon campus in 2004. The $40 million 230,000-square-foot (21,000 m2) center houses Mercer's athletics department, a 3,500-seat basketball arena, an indoor pool, work-out facilities, intramural basketball courts, an air-rifle range, offices, a food court, and numerous meeting facilities. Mercer's Claude Smith Field (baseball), Sikes Field (softball), and intramural fields are next to the center along with the university's tennis complex. Betts Stadium, the home of men's and women's soccer, is located on the eastern edge of campus between the School of Medicine and the university's newest intramural fields. The University Center arena was named Hawkins Arena in April 2012. The naming honors J. B.
In November 2011, the university began construction of the 10,200-seat Tony and Nancy Moye Football and Lacrosse Complex on the Macon campus. The new facility, adjacent to Hawkins Arena and Mercer's other athletic facilities, has the following components: the Homer and Ruth Drake Field House, the William H. Anderson II Family Field, the Marshall and Jane Butler Family Plaza, and the Tony and Nancy Moye Family Football and Lacrosse Complex. Mercer's athletic facilities are located next to Interstate 75.
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