Our only posthumous induction tonight honors “Doc” Hill (1917-1981). “Doc” loved teaching and he loved sports -especially baseball and he parlayed the two into a wonderful, inspiring career.
After graduation from Cape Elizabeth High, where he was a three sports star and established a 10-flat 100-yard dash record that was never equaled in the now-defunct Triple C League, “Doc” attended Bowdoin College where he played three years of varsity baseball. Fellow Bowdoin alumnus, Dick Doyle, described “Doc” as having it all “solid lefty hitting, strong-accurate throwing arm and speedy base running’. “Doc” played with the 1938 State Series champion Polar Bears. “Doc” was also an outstanding performer for the Cape Elizabeth A.A. - a very good semi-pro club in the local Twilight Leagues. In 1940 “Doc” was credited with belting the longest home run in South Portland’s Twilight League history - a tremendous shot in the 17th inning off Bob Tanner at Thornton Heights.
“Doc” taught at Deering High, Cape Elizabeth High and Coburn Classical Institute in the 1940’s. After operating the Edward W. Hill insurance Agency from 1947 to 1957, “Doc” returned to education at Hollis High School where he was principal and baseball coach for three years. When Hollis became part of the new Bonny Eagle high school in 1960, “Doc” joined the Mathematics department until his retirement in 1970.
“Doc” made countless contributions to the youngsters of the Cape.
He was a charter Little League umpire, beginning with Harris Plaisted’s first league in 1950 and he was still umpiring 31 years later.
So outstanding and reliable, he was selected in 1968 to receive the Ellsworth (Bill) Millett plaque as Maine’s Little League Umpire of the Year, and later selected other Umps.
he was a solid booster of all youth programs such as the Cape Lions first Pony League team, the Cape Red Rose Cardinals, the town’s first Babe Ruth League team and the American Legion program.
The “Doc” could be seen at any Cape Elizabeth educational athletic endeavor and many a Cape athlete received his baptism on the Hill “lawn’’.
‘Doc’ is survived by his wife of 36 years, Janet Stimpson Hill, also a dedicated teacher and supporter of Cape’s youth; sons Steven and Michael; and three budding Cape ball players, Steven and Judi Hill's sons Mathew, Christopher and Patrick.