2025 MSBL/MABL Player Profile: Tom Hoskins, South Jersey MSBL
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, Director of Communications
Tom Hoskins is a passionate man. He is no stranger to the pain suffered when your child predeceases you. Tom encouraged me to convey the fact that on August 4th in 2019, his son, Hayden, took his own life. After experiencing the unimaginable void for the last five years, Tom is now trying his best to promote suicide awareness and how to recognize the signs, all in the hopes that even one suicide can be prevented, and the pain that has engulfed him can be avoided.
“I didn’t recognize the signs,” said Tom. “I feel like I’m living a different life. I stayed in my house for five years and felt I was giving up. I finally had to do something about it. I kept brushing off my son’s pleas for help and thought of his actions as just a little more drama within the growing pains of an adolescent. I was wrong and I can’t take any of it back, now.”
Tom, who is 56 years old, plays and coaches in the South Jersey MSBL, something he has enjoyed since 2011. He also played semi-pro ball at the age of 14 and was scouted at the age of 15. He knows baseball, and he unfortunately knows how life can throw you a nasty curve.
“The only thing I seem to have control over in my life is baseball. I still have the passion for the game, but I need to get myself back into playing shape. I’ve allowed myself to get to this point, and now it’s time to take some positive steps, both on and off the field.”
Tom and his old team, the Vincentown Vipers, had disbanded for various reasons, but as they say, they got the band back together in 2025! Their last year together was in 2014, after winning the championship in 2013.
“We used to be in the 45-over division, but we were losing players when it came time to actually sign up for our new appearance. We decided to jump up to the 55-over division and I’m glad we did. We were able to grab some players from the player pool and from other teams, and we’re back at it.
This team was assembled as a tribute to my son, Hayden. Some of our guys haven’t played baseball for 15 years, but they wanted to be a part. We wear HTH patches on our uniform shirts. I am happy to have gotten our core players back together to honor Hayden.”
Tom said that Hayden was a big baseball fan and came to all of their games and also made a couple of trips to Cooperstown with the Vipers.
“We went to Cooperstown a couple of times, and Hayden came along. More than participating in baseball, he played a lot of soccer, but experienced a couple of major concussions from it. He suffered from migraines, which contributed to his negative mindset at times.
Hayden had a girlfriend for about seven years, but they had broken up a few months before he took his life. I’m sure the depression played a role. He was successful at his job, making good money, and things appeared to be going well. That’s what is scary and sneaks up on you. When life seems good, that’s when you have to be concerned and watch closer.”
Tom has been in contact with suicide prevention affiliates and has flyers being distributed regarding a fundraising game and fundraiser on July 12th, followed by the township’s annual fireworks show.
“We will have a tent set up for people to know more about suicide prevention. We’ll be giving stuff away, like gift certificates to pizza places. The field will have buckets to collect cash. We are promoting on Facebook and social media. I went to the grade school and asked for their help and they are getting the word out to the whole township. I am now getting the word out to the high school.
I am still fairly well known in the area from my baseball days, so I have an audience that will listen to me and care about the cause.”
The fundraiser takes place on July 12th at Harry Thompson Memorial Field at 4:00, featuring a game between Tom’s Vincentown Vipers and the Mt. Laurel Fightin’ Phils. The game should be over by 7:00, and the fireworks at 9:00.
“Since there are already fireworks for the township, the game and fundraising make it the perfect co-event. He will be buying some baseballs to toss to the kids to get them interested in baseball. It took a lot of work to arrange this game to coincide with the fireworks event.”
Final comments?
“If somebody has mental issues, if they seem they are OK and their problems are in the past, reach out and give them a call. Let them know you’re thinking of them. Let them know someone cares. Trust the signs in front of you. I need to say to those donating, if you save only one person through your efforts, you are affecting not only that person, but also their families. It is all worth it.
I look forward to seeing Hayden once again at the Pearly Gates.”
If you or a family member might be experiencing similar battles, Tom asked that you contact him to talk about it. His email is lumpy5555@comcast.net
