HERNANDO DESOTO LEAGUE
INTERESTED IN PLAYING 30+ BASEBALL?!?!?
If you are a player who is interested in playing in the HDL, the best way to let us know is to send an email to HDLBASEBALL@GMAIL.COM with your contact info and a short note explaining what positions you play, birthday and how you heard about us. Click here to learn about our OPEN TRYOUTS held on 3/22/20
Every Sunday when HDL Teams come to Today Park, baseball excitement fills the park. Despite constant threats from Mother Nature, players love the chance to experience real baseball.
The veteran players will show the newer players that playing the game is not that difficult if you just do what comes natural: Swing at strikes, make the bat contact the pitch, run the bases as fast as you can and make the defense make plays. If we keep doing the fundamentals, and doing them better than our opponents, the results will provide a special reward to the team that is more consistent.
Every week and every game has a chance to end with different results based on the maximum effort invested by each and every player.“PLAYING BASEBALL is our Passion.”
Next Election Year is 2020!
2018 ELECTEES
President: Bo McMinn
League Appointed Officers: (Selected by President)
Jake Hatchett
Jose Ortiz
Travis Hill
Judson Belote
HDL President Emeritus: Larry Rutledge
Prior Term President: Robert Miller
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Today’s Baseball Thoughts:
“Baseball was, is and always will be the best game in the world.”
–Babe Ruth
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Remember, when you leave comments or questions, they will receive a response.
Yours truly,
HDL President Emeritus:
Larry Rutledge
lrutledge46@yahoo.com
Pingback: 2011 Post Season Awards! Gold Glove Winners for 2011 Season For HDL Memphis Baseball For Men Over 30 Years Old | Memphis Street News
Larry,
I really think you have an “upgraded” website for the League. I’m also glad to see that some of the “old-timers” are still playing. My congrats to you, your fellow officers and players. I’m hoping to stop by and see a game or two this season.
Go HDL…Go Cardinals…Go Tigers
Don Miller
I have become a fan of the entire 9 inning games, not just the time limit. I realize umpires $ plays a factor but myself and enough other players I believe would be willing to increase fees to try to make that happen. When double headers are in line for Sunday mornings maybe a little shorter compromise can be met.
The only time we make an exception for players under 30 is when we have a shortage of players. Currently the HDL is healthy and has lots of adult players who want to play baseball. There are other baseball leagues in Memphis area that we would help anyone under 30 find a team they can play for. Come out to Tobey this Sunday and we can discuss.
I think the HDL should consider a innings count per game for pitchers. Maybe max of 5 innings per game. Seems like last year may have hurt some of our better pitchers in the league. Maybe even 3 innings max for 1st half of season. Would really suck to have our best pitchers unavailable for the post season. May be just bad luck this year? Just something I’ve noticed this year and we need to protect our leagues arms.
Hello Gents,
I my surprise state Friday night, which not many things do surprise me, but I was completely, I may have failed to publicly thank the HDL Hall of Fame committee on selecting me to enter the HDL Hall of Fame.
I want to say thank you and I am very humbled and proud that you think enough of me to put me in. I think there are a lot more people more deserving than me but I want to assure you I will always try to be the best ambassador of the HDL I can be.
Thank you and God Bless.
Jockomo
Hello Gents,
I would hope in the future discussions on proceeding with a very unusual wet start to the season, the officers can address the sub or fill in rule. I feel this is being abused to the effect of only certain players are being used to fill in when teams do not have enough. Vacations, family, and work are a part of the season but we need to make sure this is not being abused by teams that have enough or have injuries. Perhaps a disabled list or notify before the game like you do the non runners.
In the same respect the players communicating with their respective managers is key to this as well. With all the ways out there to communicate we should not have issues of where or if a player is to play. But I know, sadly we do.
Also, If we are going to make moves to balance teams, please do not penalize managers that draft well. Knowing who to draft and taking chances on players is part of drafting teams in the HDL. If this is taken away what’s the point? Managers and officers need to agree on who to move.
In the end its all baseball. Still lots of time left in the summer.
Jockomo
Jocko: Good points. The weather, injuries and uncommitted players have made weekly game line-ups difficult for managers. Dissolving our poorest performing team and combining players to a team that needs and appreciates the value of some excellent players will only make the league stronger. As long as we have been playing and reminding players they must pay their dues or can’t play, we still have a few players who are taking advantage of teams being short and allowing non-paid players to fill spots of paid players who don’t show up. Re-building 4 teams that will have enough players each week to make-up a full line-up will stop some of the abuse you have pointed out.
Do you remember a guy, who would be at all our games and would do a weekly recap, inning for inning , out for out, and it would be like you were there , even if u weren’t. Kinda like the Vin Scully of the HDL. His name is Larry Rutledge. I sure miss that guy. I put him up there with some greats like :Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, then Larry and after that, Manny Machado. Can u tell I’m an Orioles fan. Miss you Larry, and mostly, I need u more. Kevin s alright, awesome ball player , but he is an Eagles fan you know. I use to live in Philly and I’m not an Eagles fan. Bless his heart, maybe they will do something this year. Hell, I’ ll jump on that wagon, Go Eagles!! Who’s the coach anyway? My grandfather was born in Philly, I think I am an Eagles fan. My bad Kevin. Sure is tough being an Eagles fan, right Kev? My best memory was at Veterans Stadium, early 70’s, fans threw snowballs at Santa. That’s the day I knew he wasn’t real. I was 9 yrs old. We were like Gangsta fans, at 11, I was all grown up. Thanks Philly. I miss the food tho. I’m getting off the wagon now, Go Ravens!!
Sincerly, a mixed up fan. Ray ” The Rhino” Reinhart
Yes Jake, I can see why you have to be in condition to coach 1st and 3rd base.
I also believe you have to be in tough mental shape as well. First, you must stand with imposing presence to intimidate the defense and let them know your runner is in the best of hands. This includes the standard stand with you arms crossed like you are Don Zimmer waiting for his next round of Geritol. Also the famous hands in the back pockets and the perfect lean to spit the oversize chew of tobacco or chewing gum that is ready to be gotten rid of. and last, the all important hands on your head with mouth wide open when the umps make another call that can not be explained. Second, you must be aware at all times what’s going on all around you including when the chicken needs turning over on the grill behind first base. Third, it’s important to scream at the top off your lungs “BACK” when a pick off attempt is made, even when the entire offensive team screams the same in the dugout. This requires plenty of vocal exercises just like Sinatra did before every concert. Fourth, and most important, even though it is sometimes frowned upon, you must have big enough back pockets to hide your can of beer because sometimes there are very long innings.
Peace
Hello My HDL family.
From sunny southwest Florida. I hope all this Covid mess will soon be a thing of the past and HDL Baseball can resume like normal. I often think of you guys and wish I was still there playing. However, my golf game has picked up and I am learning to play with a bad leg. I hope the season is a good one however much you guys get to play. Drink a beer for me during the tail gate. Or coaching third base. Ha.
You know I will!
I’ve been thinking about getting back into baseball. The last time I played was 17 years ago and I was on the Braves with Jody Wolfe. What steps do I need to take to back into the swing of things?
Happy Friday from Huntington Beach California
Ima come out and play a game in September!
I’m still fast and Plan on hitting three for three.
B Nilsen
Ps miss you guys !
Keep the articles coming, I love it
Wheels! Looking forward to seeing you in September. It will be a lot of fun seeing you burn the basepaths again.
Living a couple blocks from the sand in Huntington Beach California.
You guys are more than welcome to come surfing anytime you want