LIFE@Lynchburg | Ballparks & Ballplayers: Baseball in Lynchburg, Va.

Name: LIFE@Lynchburg | Ballparks & Ballplayers: Baseball in Lynchburg, Va.
Start: 2026-03-11T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-03-11T12:00:00-04:00
Location: Sydnor Performance Hall

Schedule

Wed Mar 11 2026 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Sydnor Performance Hall | Lynchburg, VA

"Ballparks and Ballplayers: A History of Baseball in Lynchburg” explores how baseball in Lynchburg is far more than just a pastime; it has a deep history in the city that reaches back to the 19th Century reflecting both the positive and negative elements of broader American history at large. We will journey through the sport's local evolution, from its roots in the Virginia League to the building of City Stadium and its current status as a member of the Class A Carolina League. By highlighting the key teams in its hundred-year history and the significant players who fashioned careers from these local opportunities to succeed or sometimes fail on the Major League level, we aim to showcase why Lynchburg reflects an essential chapter in the story of America's favorite pastime.
Speaker Biographies:
Dr. David Freier was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Richmond, he completed his doctoral work in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth
University. After graduating in 1993 he developed his research and teaching skills in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and on the campuses of Allegheny College, the University of Richmond, Middlesex County College, New Jersey and Mount Holyoke College before arriving at Lynchburg College (University of Lynchburg) in 2003, where he is now a Professor of Biomedical Science and Biology. His scientific interests are in immunopharmacology and toxicology related to macrophages
and inflammation.
In his travels he got to enjoy baseball at many levels, from the Major Leagues to the rookie minor leagues. This includes following the Mets, Twins, Phillies, Richmond Braves, St. Paul Saints, and Lynchburg Hillcats and he has been to over 120 different baseball parks. From 2015 to 2019 he wrote a
weekly blog about the Lynchburg Hillcats for the website DidTheTribeWinLastNight.com profiling players and their success in the Cleveland organization. This supported his entry to a Masters in Science Writing program at Johns Hopkins University completed in 2020. You can find David and his wife in Section 2 of
City Stadium when they are at a game and his interests in baseball include statistical analysis and history. He avidly tracks multi-generational baseball families such as the Boone’s, Bell’s, Hairston’s and many others and has been a member of the Society for American Baseball Research since 2000.
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Dr. Stephen P. Smith is a distinguished educator, researcher, and leader in motor learning, strength and conditioning, and sport psychology. Currently serving as the associate vice president for academic affairs at the University of Lynchburg, Dr. Smith plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, curriculum development, and faculty mentorship. His career spans two decades in higher education, athletic coaching, and program administration, with extensive experience developing academic programs and fostering student success.
Dr. Smith earned his Doctor of Education in Motor Learning from the University of Virginia, with his dissertation focusing on talent selection in youth baseball. He also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Science in Health, Movement Science, and Recreation from Lynchburg College.
A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach, Dr. Smith has applied his expertise in athlete development, sports performance, and biomechanics. He has held leadership roles as a dean, associate professor, and department chair, and has served as head strength and conditioning coach for multiple collegiate teams. His research, published in the Baseball Research Journal and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, focuses on talent selection, pitching velocity, and strength-training methodologies.
Beyond academia, Dr. Smith has been deeply involved in community outreach and youth sports development, serving as a Little League board member, travel baseball coach, and advocate for fitness and wellness initiatives. He is an active presenter at national and regional conferences, sharing insights on Olympic lifting, sports leadership, and strength-training innovations.
With a passion for mentorship, athletic excellence, and student empowerment, Dr. Smith continues to shape the future of sports science and education through his leadership, research, and dedication to lifelong learning.