After 14 seasons over 10 years, the Kihei Centipedes’ Josh Hansen has decided to hang up his spikes in order to devote more time to his passions outside of baseball. Hansen broke into the MABL in 2014 and has been around for both good seasons and bad with the ‘Pedes, helping his squad to their first Championship during the Spring 2018 season. A lifetime .307 hitter, the speedy outfielder has scored 206 runs over his 163 career games and is 3rd all-time with 172 stolen bases. Dating back to August 2019, Hansen reached base in 58 straight games before he was kept off base in all three plate appearances during the final game of the Spring 2024 Championship Series — the second longest such streak in MABL history.
The following message is a reflection on his time in the league, submitted by Josh for publication in the MABL Players’ Tribune.
Well Maui Adult Baseball League, it’s been an amazing run! 10 years, 14 seasons, and 162 games all with the best team around – the Kihei Centipedes! It’s been an absolute pleasure being a part of something special, and I’ve appreciated every moment along the way. Now I’m ready to spend more time with Jesus, my family, and doing other things I enjoy.
I grew up playing baseball from T-ball all the way through high school. Out of all the sports I played, I always felt that I had the most talent in baseball. Up until my junior year, I was always the smallest person on my team regardless of the sport. My freshman year of varsity baseball I was 5’3” and barely weighed 95 pounds. I was swinging a bat that was used for 6th-7th graders, and my pants were so big that when the wind blew they made me look like Aladdin That year I went 0-20 something, with about 20 strikeouts! It was absolutely brutal, and it really killed any bit of confidence I had. I always knew that I had the talent to play the sport at a high-level, but I’d always lacked the confidence in myself. Growing up I was never was given “the benefit of the doubt” with anything. I’ve always been over looked, and I’ve had to prove myself in everything that I’ve ever done. That weight on my shoulder of never being enough was really hard as a kid.
After high school I was really content and not playing baseball again. In 2014 I decided that I’d like to coach little league as a way to give back to the community that had given me so much. I got paired up with Coach Chad Blair, and honestly this was one of the greatest blessings in my life. About 3 weeks into coaching he asked me if I’d play on his wooden bat team. I was honored but also terrified, because I didn’t want to go back to baseball again. He made me a bet that if I didn’t have a girl friend by the start of the next season, I had to play on his team. Well…I lost the bet so this is how I joined the ‘Pedes.
Before the season started my roommate Mark Austad and I would practice a ton; he helped me hit the outside pitch with power. Mark is one of my closest friends, and I told him how hesitant I was to play baseball again. My biggest fear was failure, and I really didn’t want to take the risk. My buddy gave me some of the most important advice of my life one day, he said “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” That advice really resonated with me, and from that moment on I promised myself I’d work as hard as I could to be the best baseball player possible. I spent tons of afternoons and nights hitting off the tee at Kalama Park. I’d practice stealing bases and working on my jumps. Three days a week after work I’d hit in the batting cages. Anyone that was able to was encouraged to hit me fly balls and let me chase them down all over the field.
I came into my first season in the league feeling pretty ready, but also very nervous. I’m probably one of the most nervous people out there; I’d get to my games 2+ hours early sometimes just sitting in the dugout waiting to warm up. There were tons of nights where I’d be up until 3 am taking practice swings in my bedroom because I couldn’t sleep. I got my first hit in our second game of the season, and after that I felt a massive weight lifted off me. I kept working hard and practicing, and each week I felt better and better. At the end of my first season at 25 years old, I joked with my teammates that I was finally in my “prime”. I was faster, stronger, healthier, and more confident then I’d ever been in my life! The weight that used to be on my shoulders turned into a chip, and I used that to motivate me each and every day. I finally felt like I had accomplished what I could’ve done in high school, which was allow myself to enjoy the game without the pressure absorbing me.
To see where the ‘Pedes are now from when I first started is truly amazing. I’ve been apart of 4 championship appearances, and 1 trophy back in 2018. Throughout the years of baseball I’ve had my ups and downs, but I’ve never lost sight of the most important things in sports. Every time I stepped onto the practice or game field I gave it 110% the entire time. I never took a play off, never didn’t sprint in and out from my position, never jogged on a routine ground ball, never let up an opportunity to dive in center field, and never disrespected the game. Win or lose, I’ve always had a smile on my face because the game of baseball is a beautiful thing. I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to have played this game for 10 years.
Kara Hansen, thank you so much for taking care of the kids while I’m gone for 5 hours on a Sunday. It’s an incredibly hard task, but I’m SO appreciative you’ve let me fulfill my passion for all this time. Thanks for believing in my even when I didn’t believe in myself. To all my teammates over the years, thank you so much for allowing me to be myself on the field! All the support you’ve given me over the years is incredibly humbling and I’m honored to share the field with you guys (and amazing coach Kacey Sommers Swindle). I know I’m emotional and fiery and you might be sick of my walk up song, but I love you guys and cherish all the great times together. I realize that while chasing fly balls in the outfield I say “I got it” 10 times, but in my defense I black out and the only thing I’m focused on is catching that ball! It’s not to drive you guys crazy haha. Mom, Jeff Hansen, and Jordan Hansen thank you guys for always believing in me. You’ve always had my back and I love you so much. Gina Schur, thank you for supporting me so much especially in the beginning of my career. You came to so many of my games and I appreciate you! Ryan Swindle, thank you so much for always being down to practice with me. We’ve played together since my second season and had a lot of afternoons together working on our hitting and defense. I appreciate all your knowledge over the years, and without your help I wouldn’t be the ball player I am. Michael Marcotte, my goal when I started was to pass you in career steals. I got close but didn’t accomplish that, so you’ll always be the king in my book! Thank you to all my family and friends who’ve watched my games over the years or listened to me tell them about it! I love you all and appreciate you more than you know! From the bottom of my heart, I want to send a massive thank you to the Maui Adult Baseball League for giving me the opportunity to play again. There were times in my career where I needed this game more than I can express. This league is incredible, and there are so many great players that are apart of it. To all my friends in the league, I love you all and I’ll cya around!
Sincerely,
#7
Josh “Benny the Jet” Hansen“Pedes4Lyfe”
Well said, Josh.
It was great playing with you during the ASG this season. Wishing nothing but the best for you and the family! Hope to see you around.