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Simmons College Traditions . . .
Then and Now

FACULTY-STUDENT BASEBALL GAME / FIELD DAY

The tradition of a faculty-student baseball game appears to have begun in the spring of 1922. The event was held to raise money to send members of the Simmons College YWCA to the annual national YWCA meeting at Camp Maqua. In later years, the proceeds went to individual student clubs which contributed to the event or to a charity. For example, it is believed that in 1949 the proceeds were given to participating organizations which decided to donate the money to the National Student Association for assistance with the education of persons displaced by World War Two.

The faculty-student baseball game was held behind the Main College Building in late May or early June. Hot dogs and ice cream were the traditional fare, and the entertainment of the game was supplemented by a hurdy-gurdy man accompanied by a monkey. The seriousness of the game itself is in question since "the faculty, true Simmons sports, were gowned as women," with clothing donated by the students. The Simmons News made much of the faculty's attire, publishing descriptions of those faculty members who had the best costumes.

"Mr. Coombs was dressed in a short green skirt with a kick pleat to enable him to run. Somebody's sport sweater graced his flapperish form and his costume was completed by a lavender turban with a blue pom pom whose colors blended beautifully with his exquisite complexion."

Order was kept by a "police force" made up of students and faculty. These policemen/umpires appear to have been very busy as the rules were manipulated frequently by the players, as reported by the Simmons News: "Mr. Sutcliffe made a spectacular run across the field to escape [the] second baseman and the policeman who was doing his best to keep the game orderly caught him."

The participants from the faculty appear to have come primarily from the departments of Physics, History, and Economics, although other members of the faculty and administration did participate. President Beatley was a noted participant in 1936. Around the same time, the faculty's attire was changed from women's clothing to a somewhat more distinguished ragtag assortment of old and rustic garments. Professors often would appear at the games dressed in top hats and coats with tails or other equally out-of-date garments.

By 1947, several other events were added creating a hybrid tradition that combined Track Day-like contests and games with the traditional baseball game. Among the amusements added was the song contest, long a part of the Track Day celebration, as well as several new events such as a puppet show and a pinup boy contest. Despite these changes, the general mirth of the occasion never seems to have been lost.

Field Day appears to have been discontinued around 1961-62, although no exact date is available. This is the last time the event was noted in the Student Handbook of Simmons College, but it should be pointed out that this book has been found to be a somewhat inconsistent source of information with changes in traditions often not appearing until three or four years after they were implemented.

 

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Page updated: July 11, 2006