Hall of Fame
Ward Hile (Baseball – Athlete)
From 1893-97 - the late Ward Hile was a standout on the baseball team - for what at the time was known as the Central State Normal School. Hile helped modernize the game and the catcher position by wearing his chest protector, shin guards and mask on every pitch, and by standing behind home plate, all of which was becoming new to the game. The traditional position for the catcher in the early days of the sport was 50-60 feet behind home plate. He was probably not the first player to use this style, but one of a few at the time who pioneered the change. The innovation became the standard in baseball in 1901, and years later in 1960, Hile was formally recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
