The Beginning: (1928)
Prior to 1928, baseball as a varsity sport was sporadic to say the least. Many years a team was not organized. Of those that were, the 1913 & 1914 teams under Coach Earl E. Prugh were probably the most noteworthy. Some of the players during this period were: LaFayette Abbott, Ferdinand Bright, John Emde, Stan Garrison, "Toots" Groff, Corl LaRoss, Herbert Malone, Don McClenaghan, WaltPieffer, James Reid, Bill Wolfe, McCleery, Kershner, Thompson, Earl Bauman and Harry Kern.
After WWI, baseball gained popularity. A man by the name of "Babe" entered the pro-baseball scene and began to build what would later be referred to as the "The House the Ruth Built." Babe Ruth changed the game of baseball. The success of the New York Yankees with the Babe and Lou Gehrig, plus the popularity of the Cincinnati Redlegs with Jack Hendricks as manager helped bring about a change at Lancaster High School in 1928. According to the Lancaster Eagle, 50 young men reported for baseball as Harry Marquis attempted to field a team in a sport which had long declined in interest at the Mulberry Hill facility. This enthusiastic turnout was the beginning of baseball as a continuing varsity sport at Lancaster High School and began a tradition which exists to this day.
To get ready for the first game, a field was prepared at Rising Park. Home plate was placed where the current parking lot is located next to the playground. This field would be used for many years and created a challenge for many a player as they tried to "smack one" to left field and put it on the tennis courts.
1928 Team Roster
After WWI, baseball gained popularity. A man by the name of "Babe" entered the pro-baseball scene and began to build what would later be referred to as the "The House the Ruth Built." Babe Ruth changed the game of baseball. The success of the New York Yankees with the Babe and Lou Gehrig, plus the popularity of the Cincinnati Redlegs with Jack Hendricks as manager helped bring about a change at Lancaster High School in 1928. According to the Lancaster Eagle, 50 young men reported for baseball as Harry Marquis attempted to field a team in a sport which had long declined in interest at the Mulberry Hill facility. This enthusiastic turnout was the beginning of baseball as a continuing varsity sport at Lancaster High School and began a tradition which exists to this day.
To get ready for the first game, a field was prepared at Rising Park. Home plate was placed where the current parking lot is located next to the playground. This field would be used for many years and created a challenge for many a player as they tried to "smack one" to left field and put it on the tennis courts.
1928 Team Roster
The Wilson Era:
Tradition Begins (1929-1943)
Tradition Begins (1929-1943)
Soft spoken; business like; are the terms used by former players in describing E.J. Wilson. Coach Wilson began his baseball coaching career in 1929 and would continue as head coach at Lancaster High School until 1943. His 15 years at the helm of the Gales Baseball Program put him number one in tenure among all head coaches to date.
Coach Wilson's teams began the Gale winning tradition. In only three short years his teams had amassed 30 wins against 7 losses. In the district tournament of 1932, Lancaster fell to Columbus South 2-0. The next week South won the State Championship. 1934 saw Coach Wilson's boys undefeated until they met Columbus West in the first round of the district tournament and lost 8-4. According to "Pie" Thomas's news article on May 12th, 1934, "Lancaster High School was unable to overcome the tournament jinx that seems to follow the purple and gold."
Despite this so called tournament jinx, Coach Wilson's teams won many games despite several handicaps. During the 1930s, Lancaster High School was much smaller and baseball had to contend with Track as well as "Spring Football." Unbelievably, some players participated in them all. While an accurate won-lost record could not be determined, Coach Wilson's teams in many years were the envy of many fellow coaches.
Many great athletes played for Coach Wilson and despite never making it to the State Tournament, he began a tradition which would be carried on.
Click to view Team Rosters:
1929 Team Roster
1930 Team Roster
1931 Team Roster
1932 Team Roster
1933 Team Roster
1934 Team Roster
1935 Team Roster
1936 Team Roster
1937 Team Roster
1938 Team Roster
1939 Team Roster
1940 Team Roster
1941 Team Roster
1942 Team Roster
1943 Team Roster
Coach Wilson's teams began the Gale winning tradition. In only three short years his teams had amassed 30 wins against 7 losses. In the district tournament of 1932, Lancaster fell to Columbus South 2-0. The next week South won the State Championship. 1934 saw Coach Wilson's boys undefeated until they met Columbus West in the first round of the district tournament and lost 8-4. According to "Pie" Thomas's news article on May 12th, 1934, "Lancaster High School was unable to overcome the tournament jinx that seems to follow the purple and gold."
Despite this so called tournament jinx, Coach Wilson's teams won many games despite several handicaps. During the 1930s, Lancaster High School was much smaller and baseball had to contend with Track as well as "Spring Football." Unbelievably, some players participated in them all. While an accurate won-lost record could not be determined, Coach Wilson's teams in many years were the envy of many fellow coaches.
Many great athletes played for Coach Wilson and despite never making it to the State Tournament, he began a tradition which would be carried on.
Click to view Team Rosters:
1929 Team Roster
1930 Team Roster
1931 Team Roster
1932 Team Roster
1933 Team Roster
1934 Team Roster
1935 Team Roster
1936 Team Roster
1937 Team Roster
1938 Team Roster
1939 Team Roster
1940 Team Roster
1941 Team Roster
1942 Team Roster
1943 Team Roster
The Martin Era:
(1944-1950/ 1952-1957)
(1944-1950/ 1952-1957)
Anthony "Tony" Martin took over as head coach in 1944 and would continue until 1957 except for a one year absence in 1951. Bob Payne took over the coaching duties that year. Coach Martin, according to some of his players, believe that practice makes perfect and practice they did. In snow, sleet, rain, hail, Coach Martin wanted to play ball.
Coach Martin had several good teams. Among them were the 1947 & 1957 teams both of which made it to the Regionals of the State Tournament. In 1955, Martin not only made Lancaster proud with his "Horsehide Hurlers", but also placed his name in the annals of Ohio Baseball History by being named Coach of the Eastern All-Stars in the first ever All-State High School baseball games. The games were played at Columbus Jet Stadium, which was known as the now vacant Cooper Stadium. He was teamed with fellow eastern coaches Lester Scarr of Barberton and Duke St. John of St. Clairsville in what was acclaimed as the first of its kind in the nation. Coach Martin was accompanied by the first all-state selections from Lancaster High School: Jerry Seesholtz & Tom Kendrick.
Coach Martin stated, " I enjoyed coaching at L.H.S. and the support of the community, alumni, and parents. They all gave me a lot of respect."
1944 Team Roster
1945 Team Roster
1946 Team Roster
1947 Team Roster
1948 Team Roster
1949 Team Roster
1950 Team Roster
1951 Team Roster
1952 Team Roster
1953 Team Roster
1954 Team Roster
1955 Team Roster
1956 Team Roster
1957 Team Roster
1958 Team Roster
Coach Martin had several good teams. Among them were the 1947 & 1957 teams both of which made it to the Regionals of the State Tournament. In 1955, Martin not only made Lancaster proud with his "Horsehide Hurlers", but also placed his name in the annals of Ohio Baseball History by being named Coach of the Eastern All-Stars in the first ever All-State High School baseball games. The games were played at Columbus Jet Stadium, which was known as the now vacant Cooper Stadium. He was teamed with fellow eastern coaches Lester Scarr of Barberton and Duke St. John of St. Clairsville in what was acclaimed as the first of its kind in the nation. Coach Martin was accompanied by the first all-state selections from Lancaster High School: Jerry Seesholtz & Tom Kendrick.
Coach Martin stated, " I enjoyed coaching at L.H.S. and the support of the community, alumni, and parents. They all gave me a lot of respect."
1944 Team Roster
1945 Team Roster
1946 Team Roster
1947 Team Roster
1948 Team Roster
1949 Team Roster
1950 Team Roster
1951 Team Roster
1952 Team Roster
1953 Team Roster
1954 Team Roster
1955 Team Roster
1956 Team Roster
1957 Team Roster
1958 Team Roster
The England Era:
A Legacy Begins (1959-1969)
A Legacy Begins (1959-1969)
Dick England played four years of baseball under Coach Tony Martin. An alumnus of 1950, he appeared on the coaching scene in 1955 to assist his former coach. After one year, he left for the Air Force and returned to become an assistant coach with Sam Marchio in 1958. 1959 saw Coach England assume the head coaching position which he would hold until 1969. He would leave a legacy which is unparalleled to this day. In his 11 years at head coach, Coach England's teams amassed an amazing 153 wins against only 56 losses; 6 C.O.L titles; 5 District Championships and 3 appearances in the State Tournament at Ohio State including the first ever appearance by a Lancaster High School baseball team in 1961. LHS would lose 2-1 to Lima Senior. He was also selected as a coach for the East-West All-Star game in 1964 which saw the East All-Staters take 3 of 3 from the best of the West. Coach England preached the defensive aspect of the game and many of his former players stated his knowledge of the game helped win many games which might have been lost otherwise.
Coach England had many great athletes during his head coaching career and states, " I was blessed with outstanding young men who worked hard both on the diamond and in the classroom. All my teams played great defense. They worked hard at the fundamentals of the game. My players had a great desire to learn the game of baseball and have fun playing the game. The maturity and experience that each player gained through participating demonstrated the type of young athletes i was fortunate to coach."
In 1988, Coach England announced his retirement after 18 years as the Athletic Director. His contributions, not only to baseball, but to the entire sports program at LHS are numerous and will always be remembered. As a player, coach, and Athletic Director, Dick helped instill pride in the Lancaster High School athletic programs but will always be remembered most for his contributions to America's game. In the words of his former coach Tony Martin, "The one year Dick coached with me, I was impressed with his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game."
Coach England was inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1991, Coach England was inducted into the Ohio University Kermit Blosser Hall of Fame and in 2003, he was inducted into the Southeast District Hall of Fame. In 2016, Dick was inducted into the Lancaster High School Hall of Fame.
1959 Team Roster
1960 Team Roster
1961 Team Roster
- "A Game To Remember"
1962 Team Roster
1963 Team Roster
1964 Team Roster
1965 Team Roster
1966 Team Roster
1967 Team Roster
1968 Team Roster
- "A Game To Remember"
1969 Team Roster
Coach England had many great athletes during his head coaching career and states, " I was blessed with outstanding young men who worked hard both on the diamond and in the classroom. All my teams played great defense. They worked hard at the fundamentals of the game. My players had a great desire to learn the game of baseball and have fun playing the game. The maturity and experience that each player gained through participating demonstrated the type of young athletes i was fortunate to coach."
In 1988, Coach England announced his retirement after 18 years as the Athletic Director. His contributions, not only to baseball, but to the entire sports program at LHS are numerous and will always be remembered. As a player, coach, and Athletic Director, Dick helped instill pride in the Lancaster High School athletic programs but will always be remembered most for his contributions to America's game. In the words of his former coach Tony Martin, "The one year Dick coached with me, I was impressed with his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game."
Coach England was inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1991, Coach England was inducted into the Ohio University Kermit Blosser Hall of Fame and in 2003, he was inducted into the Southeast District Hall of Fame. In 2016, Dick was inducted into the Lancaster High School Hall of Fame.
1959 Team Roster
1960 Team Roster
1961 Team Roster
- "A Game To Remember"
1962 Team Roster
1963 Team Roster
1964 Team Roster
1965 Team Roster
1966 Team Roster
1967 Team Roster
1968 Team Roster
- "A Game To Remember"
1969 Team Roster
The Farmer Years:
(1970-1977)
(1970-1977)
An alumnus of 1960, Terry Farmer became head coach in 1970 and played America's game at Lancaster High School in 1958-60. Due to poor condition of the field at the high school, Coach Farmer's early '70s teams played at Miller Park. With financial assistance of the American Legion and The Boosters, the field was returned to a playable condition and dugouts were built. In 1974, per Coach Farmer, " The Field became my wife as we prepared it for play."
Beginning with a nucleus of eight players in 1971 and the addition of two players in '72, who would bolster the team roster, Farmer's 1973 team was experienced. It showed, as they went to the State Semi-Finals before being defeated by Cleveland Glenville 3-2. In Coach Farmer's words, "I enjoyed coaching at Lancaster and my teams always played by the rules."
1970 Team Roster
1971 Team Roster
1972 Team Roster
1973 Team Roster
1974 Team Roster
1975 Team Roster
1976 Team Roster
1977 Team Roster
Beginning with a nucleus of eight players in 1971 and the addition of two players in '72, who would bolster the team roster, Farmer's 1973 team was experienced. It showed, as they went to the State Semi-Finals before being defeated by Cleveland Glenville 3-2. In Coach Farmer's words, "I enjoyed coaching at Lancaster and my teams always played by the rules."
1970 Team Roster
1971 Team Roster
1972 Team Roster
1973 Team Roster
1974 Team Roster
1975 Team Roster
1976 Team Roster
1977 Team Roster
The White Years
So Close Yet So Far Away (1978-1982)
So Close Yet So Far Away (1978-1982)
Tom White assumed the helm of the Lancaster Gales Baseball program in 1978. Coach White, while not an alumnus as his previous two predecessors, played minor league ball and proved to be a respected coach who believed in hard work to achieve your goals. This work ethic culminated in 1982, his last year, when his Gales team went to the State Finals for the first time in LHS history. They advanced to the Finals after beating Cincinnati Withrow 6-0. They would lose to Euclid 3-2 in the championship game. Coach White became the third LHS Coach to be named to the All-State series after his team posted an incredible 30 wins against 4 losses and was undefeated in the Central Ohio League going 12-0.
Coach White's 1982 team came so close to the one thing that has eluded Lancaster High School Baseball History: A State Title. He left a challenge to those coaches of the future and when one of them succeeds, they also will place their name and team in the annals of Lancaster Golden Gale Baseball history.
Coach White states, "It was a tremendous opportunity getting into a quality baseball program that has the support of its administration which enables such a tradition to continue."
1978 Team Roster
1979 Team Roster
1980 Team Roster
1981 Team Roster
1982 Team Roster
Coach White's 1982 team came so close to the one thing that has eluded Lancaster High School Baseball History: A State Title. He left a challenge to those coaches of the future and when one of them succeeds, they also will place their name and team in the annals of Lancaster Golden Gale Baseball history.
Coach White states, "It was a tremendous opportunity getting into a quality baseball program that has the support of its administration which enables such a tradition to continue."
1978 Team Roster
1979 Team Roster
1980 Team Roster
1981 Team Roster
1982 Team Roster
The Lennie Conrad Years
(1983-1995)
(1983-1995)
Having served as the JV coach for several years and assisting Tom White in 1978, Lennie took over the head coaching duties in 1983. A former player under Dick England and '67 graduate, Coach Conrad believes in Senior Leadership as a key factor in the success of his ball teams. He believes this was the main thrust in the '83 team reaching the Regional Finals in his first year.
During the 1988 season, Coach Conrad reached the 100 win plateau and saw his '88 team set a national record for most double plays turned in one game, with 6. Coach Conrad won six District titles in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1992, & 1993 and one Regional title in 1985.
In 2010, Lennie Conrad was inducted into the Southeastern Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
1983 Team Roster
1984 Team Roster
1985 Team Roster (2nd State Ranked)
1986 Team Roster
1987 Team Roster
1988 Team Roster
1989 Team Roster (Ranked 2nd)
1990 Team Roster (Ranked 11th)
1991 Team Roster (Ranked 13th)
1992 Team Roster
1993 Team Roster
1994 Team Roster
1995 Team Roster
During the 1988 season, Coach Conrad reached the 100 win plateau and saw his '88 team set a national record for most double plays turned in one game, with 6. Coach Conrad won six District titles in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1992, & 1993 and one Regional title in 1985.
In 2010, Lennie Conrad was inducted into the Southeastern Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
1983 Team Roster
1984 Team Roster
1985 Team Roster (2nd State Ranked)
1986 Team Roster
1987 Team Roster
1988 Team Roster
1989 Team Roster (Ranked 2nd)
1990 Team Roster (Ranked 11th)
1991 Team Roster (Ranked 13th)
1992 Team Roster
1993 Team Roster
1994 Team Roster
1995 Team Roster
More information coming soon...
The Andy Smeltzer Years:
(2001-2007)
(2001-2007)
More information coming soon!
2001 Team Roster
2002 Team Roster
2003 Team Roster
2004 Team Roster
2005 Team Roster
2006 Team Roster
2007 Team Roster
2001 Team Roster
2002 Team Roster
2003 Team Roster
2004 Team Roster
2005 Team Roster
2006 Team Roster
2007 Team Roster
(2008-2012)
More information coming soon!
2008 Team Roster
2009 Team Roster
2010 Team Roster
2011 Team Roster
2012 Team Roster
2008 Team Roster
2009 Team Roster
2010 Team Roster
2011 Team Roster
2012 Team Roster
(2013-)
2013 Team Roster
2014 Team Roster
2015 Team Roster
2016 Team Roster
2017 Team Roster
2018 Team Roster (Ranked 18th)
2019 Team Roster (Ranked 3rd)
2020 Team Roster (COVID cancelled season)
2021 Team Roster (Ranked 12th)
2022 Team Roster (Ranked 9th)
2023 Team Roster
2014 Team Roster
2015 Team Roster
2016 Team Roster
2017 Team Roster
2018 Team Roster (Ranked 18th)
2019 Team Roster (Ranked 3rd)
2020 Team Roster (COVID cancelled season)
2021 Team Roster (Ranked 12th)
2022 Team Roster (Ranked 9th)
2023 Team Roster
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Head Coaches Since 1928:
1928: Harry Marquis 1929-1943: E.J. Wilson 1944-1950: Tony Martin 1951: Bob Payne 1952-1957: Tony Martin 1958: Sam Marchio 1959-1969: Dick England (153-56) 1970-1977: Terry Farmer 1978-1982: Tom White (104-35) 1983-1995: Lennie Conrad 1996-1997: Eric Nelson 1998-2000: Tim Graham 2001-2007: Andy Smeltzer 2008: Nathan Conrad 2009-2011: Cory Miller 2012: Jason Vest 2013-Present: Corey Conn |
All-State Players:
1955: Jerry Seesholtz & Tom Kendrick 1957: Gary Farmer 1958: Jerry Glaze 1961: Bill Westenhouser & Norm Neeley 1965: Dick Dunkle 1967: Rex Kern 1968: Dan McCann & Howard Bozman 1969: Rod Miller 1970: Pat Powers 1973: Jeff Hicks 1974: Dave Pence 1976: Chris Bosch 1980: Scott Parrish 1981: Keith Hutchinson 1982: Allan Anderson 1983: Mike Vanscoy 1985: Mike Posey 1993: Rodney Johnson 2018: Casey Finck 2019: Casey Finck & Evan Sines 2022: Layton O'Rourke |
Sectional Championships:
1947 1965 1982 1992 2014 2021
1957 1967 1983 1993 2015 2022
1961 1973 1984 2000 2016
1962 1980 1985 2006 2018
1964 1981 1987 2007 2019
District Championships:
1947 1965 1983 1993
1957 1967 1984 2018
1961 1973 1985 2019
1962 1981 1987 2021
1964 1982 1992
1947 1965 1983 1993
1957 1967 1984 2018
1961 1973 1985 2019
1962 1981 1987 2021
1964 1982 1992
Regional Titles:
1961 1985
1964
1967
1973
1982
1961 1985
1964
1967
1973
1982
State Titles:
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