2024 MSBL/MABL National Hall of Fame Inductee: Joe Hellett, Jacksonville MABL
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Joe Hellett is a mover and shaker in the state of Florida and has been an integral part of the current and ever-expanding MSBL presence in the Sunshine state. We published a league profile earlier this year outlining some of Joe’s accomplishments. Here is an excerpt:
“Joe Hellett began his MSBL career in the Jacksonville MABL in 2008 and became president in 2014. Jacksonville, and all of Florida, is a hotbed of younger leagues because of their year-round playing capabilities, and the proximity of many nearby colleges. People need places to play competitive baseball when their high school and college careers come to a halt. That is where Joe and the Jacksonville MABL come in.”
Joe works hard in his position of League President and his efforts have paid off handsomely. For his efforts in promoting and securing MSBL leagues around the state, MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler has inducted Joe into the 2024 class of the MSBL National Hall of Fame. As anticipated, Joe was quick to deflect any individual recognition.
“I personally hate individual accolades, especially when they are applied to me, but I am proud to represent the Jacksonville MABL and wish for our league to have continued success,” Joe explained.
The 42-year-old Hellett is still able to find some time to step between the lines, though it becomes increasingly more difficult because of time constraints.
“I play for the 18+ Jacksonville Indians in our league. I used to play third base but am now primarily a DH and a fill-in outfielder. My brother Devon is our shortstop and bats cleanup for us.”
Joe is also a veteran of MSBL tournament play.
“I have played in the MSBL Fall Classic multiple times, as well as the Rosie Shootout in Atlanta from 2010-2014, the Holiday Classic in Sanford, and the first Sunshine Classic held in Panama City Beach in 2021.
I will be playing/coaching the Jacksonville Hops 18+ team in the upcoming Fall Classic, and looking forward to beginning a 35+ team soon from Jacksonville.”
Joe is a high school social studies teach and, you guessed it, their baseball coach. Running the league, while also grading papers and coaching others, takes a lot of discipline. We asked Joe who some of the individuals were who drove home that discipline in his journey to this point in his life.
“The list is too long to list, but spiritually I would like to highlight Wayne Boyd from my hometown, who passed away in 2007. His infectious love for the game at every level motivated me to seek out continuing to play after high school and led me to finding Dexter Littlefield’s Brewers in the classified ads of the local paper.
I also want to thank our league’s board members Danny Haynes, Dennis Shannon, Chris Haynes, and Bill Klein, as the league could not exist without them.”
Any special highlights from your league or tournament participation?
“The biggest highlight would be winning our 10th league championship as a team this past season. Our league is very competitive with multiple talented teams, so winning a championship is very difficult to achieve. I celebrate every one of them, but winning the 10th was the most difficult yet.
The bottom line that means so much to me is that I respect any player who steps onto the field to compete and enjoy the love of the game. I hope to continue to play until I am eligible for the oldest available MSBL tournament bracket.”
Well, Joe, 2024 marks the inauguration of our 80-over division at this year’s MSBL World Series in Arizona. That gives you 38 more years to get ready. We’ll be waiting for you!