Hilltopper Field after many years of improvement to the Hilltopper baseball complex, the players, parents, and fans have a baseball facility that is second to none in high school baseball. The field hosts numerous games and tournaments each season, and there may be no better place to watch a game.
In 1999
The “new field”, also called the “field of dreams during construction”, was completed under the leadership of Coach Joe Williford. The old field had served the Toppers for many seasons under the care of Coach Gregg Pepper, but it was time for a major renovation. The entire facility was rebuilt that season. The playing surface was stripped and leveled, then topped with a great Bermuda sod. All skinned areas were replaced with Crimson Stone, a warning track was added, new spacious dugouts with storage rooms were installed, and a new pressbox was built. Included on the press box were locker rooms and a concession stand. A new wood wall was built around the outfield and a new parking lot was added. A new scoreboard with the Hilltopper logo was also completed.
2002-2003 The areas outside the playing surface were sodded and a sprinkler system was added to the area. New bullpens were built on the home side, and a new roll away was completed.
2004-2005 Coach John Ellison took over the baseball program and set some new goals for the scenery around the field and the expansion of facilities. That year, a new bullpen was built on the visitor side and areas outside the fences were taken in to maintenance.
2005-2006 The baselines were sodded in and all crimson stone infield areas were replaced with red clay and infield conditioner. Fans also added to the scenery by purchasing Bradford Pear trees and Crepe Myrtles to go around the field.
2006-2007 The Diamond Club and parents helped move the Topper baseball program to a new era with the completion of a first class practice facility. The 60’ by 80’ building complete with artificial turf, two batting cages, two bullpen mounds, and six hitting stations provides the Toppers with quality practice capability even in the worst conditions. The building sits above Topper Field and provides one of the best views of the entire ballpark.
2007-2008 The Diamond Club purchased bleachers for the field. Artificial turf was added to the practice facility. The warning track was also extended to go around the entire field.
2008-2009 The Diamond Club purchased a Jacobsen TriKing reel mower for the
baseball field. The reel should put the finishing touches on an already beautiful field.
Coach Ellison would like to thank all the parents, fans, Diamond Club members, and alumni for their contributions, hard work, and support in helping make Topper Field one of the nicest baseball parks in the area.
Field Dimensions
320’ left field
375’ center field
320’ right field
Grass
Bermuda overseeded with Champion rye grass
Skinned areas
Red clay and Pro’s Choice Red Soil Conditioner
Warning track
Crimson Stone
Historical Dates:
2000- North Half Championship
2005- District Playoff site
2005- MHSAA 2nd round playoff games
2005- American Legion State Tournament
2008- 1st and 2nd round playoffs
2009- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round playoffs