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WAXAHACHIE -- There was a gathering of former Waxahachie baseball players at Paul Richards Park recently that had special meaning. The players were all part of a high school team that played in the 1940s. They were there to not only celebrate their era, but 100 years of baseball at Waxahachie High School.

"It's just a part of Waxahachie culture, the significance of baseball," says Billy Hancock who played on those teams in the 40s.

The school first starting playing games in 1909, but historians have discovered that Waxahachie had baseball as early as 1885, long before an organized public school team began to play.

Games were played in Ovilla, Ennis, Ferris and Oak Cliff to mention only a few. Twelve players were on that team the first year and even a second team shows up in the archives.

Part of the tradition and foundation was laid by Henry Curry who was honored with a monument inside the park. He died in the 60s, but his contributions to the program are legendary, sponsoring the boys team, even getting lights installed as early as the mid-40s.

Of course Paul Richards did just as much and helped bring major league teams to Waxahachie for spring training.

"The reds came in 1919 and that year they won the World Series," says Hancock.

Tracy Wood, the head coach at Waxahachie High School, knows baseball is big in Waxahachie.

"The one word that takes care of all that stuff you just said is tradition," he said. "I think that's huge. There is an old saying in the coaching business that tradition never graduates and that goes a long way for you.

"If you look out there you've got two monuments out there. Richards Park has been established as an historical site in Texas. There are probably not a lot of parks in Texas like that. I tell people all the time, if you come over those railroad tracks, your either coming to a funeral or you coming Richards Park."

Over the last 100 years, Richards Park also carried the name of Jungle Park and Woodman Park, but it was a spring training hub for major league teams.

As Hancock walks along the first baseline, he says, "I see the Detroit Tigers, the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City and Buffalo. I see that and I see it as a grown up field during World War II." That's because there was no baseball in early 40s because of World War II.

Players from the 1974 and 1999 teams were honored, including Mike Turner who had his number 19 retired. Everyone who plays here has special memories.

"The only home run I ever hit in my high school career was out to right field because I was a late swinger," says J.T. Shipp. "I hit a cow. And it was funny because when it hit the cow, it went errrrrrrr! And everyone was laughing and I almost tripped and fell going to second just because of hearing the cow go errerrrerrr!"

Players of today can sense they're playing at a special park.

"You can sense it," Colton Cain, a pitcher on this year's team, says, "especially at big games. All the old timers come out. You mess up; they let you hear it real quick. It's a good atmosphere and it's fun to play here."

The old timers know things have changed.

"Everything is different," says Hancock. "The stands are different, of course the terrace was there, but the field is the same. Much improved, much improved. Of course time takes care of those things."

History also shows that Ty Cobb came to Waxahachie one spring.

"Yes he came in and ran the bases and he was kind of prima donna," says Hancock. Who told him that? "Oh a legend."

Mack Wise was on the same team with Hancock.

"After the first inner squad game we'd jump the short fence that was here then and we'd go directly where we're looking at, that big tree, there was a swimming hole, and we'd go over there jump in with no clothes on. I know my Mother wasn't happy at all," he says.

Richards Park is where dreams began to be formed 100 years ago, and now a century later, that hasn't changed one bit.

Dreams are still being shaped here and those dreams should take Waxahachie baseball through the next 100 years.