Hoosier Adult Baseball League seeks older players

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Hoosier Adult Baseball league is looking for a few good men — or at least enough to field two more teams.

“The reason we put a limit on the high side is guys get to play,” Dearth said.,

The oldest league player last year was 76, but the 53-year-old Dearth said most players are in their early to mid-50s.

Sports

The 48-and-older baseball league is seeking to expand from six teams to eight, league president John Dearth said. The season begins Aug. 1 and ends Oct. 17. There are 12 games in the regular season, followed by the playoffs. All games are played at Grand Park in Westfield.

Dearth, a Carmel resident, said most of the players are from Hamilton County with some from Zionsville and Indianapolis.

“For me, personally, someone who has loved baseball since I can recall at age 4, playing in this league has been some of the most fun I have ever had playing baseball,” Dearth said. “We are there to compete, but our goal is to place a premium on sportsmanship, and fun. I have met some terrific people in the five years this league has been around. Grand Park is a terrific facility, and it helps to make the baseball experience that much better to play on top-of-theline fields.”

The league was started in 2018 by Todd Eschmann and Dwight Podgurski. Dearth said Eschmann couldn’t play because of an injury. Podgurski was president and Dearth became vice president. When Podgurski moved to Colorado, Dearth became president midway during the 2020 season. Each team has 12 to 16 players.

Dearth said the competition is very good, and players have really embraced the culture.

“It is very regular to have a conversation while on the base paths, with guys complimenting each other on a hit or a defensive play,” said Dearth, who played baseball at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.

“I have been very impressed by the players’ attitudes and the willingness of the guys who played at a higher level to help those who may have never received the coaching or had the opportunities to play beyond grade school or junior high. We are more of a rec league, and we try to find a home for anyone who wants to play.”

Dearth said there are a few rules that help older players, such as no stolen bases and limited leadoffs. Pitchers are limited to five innings per game.

Board members include Chris Kania, vice president, and Tom Hayes, secretary. Jeff Schmitt and Robert Newton are at-large members. Tom Weesner is a former vice president but stepped away this year because of a shoulder surgery.

Dearth said the league’s best pitcher the first five seasons has been Carmel resident Scott Metzinger, a former Butler University pitcher from 1990-93.

For more, visit hoosieradultbaseball.com or email jdearth@spectrummtg.net.

Sometimes you don’t need a new roof. Sometimes it’s what’s at the end of your roof that goes first. Bone Dry has become as well known for gutters and downspouts as we have for roofs. So if you’re staring at a waterfall and you’re not on vacation, it’s time to call Bone Dry. You’ll know it in your gutters.