2026 MSBL Player Profile: Charlie Hubbs, Thurston County Adult Baseball League

By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications

The Thurston County Adult Baseball League is a nifty six-team, 18-over league located in Olympia, Washington.  Now into their second season, we asked League President DeVonte Ford who might be some of the individuals responsible for their success and might be a driving force in making the league grow.  He was quick to answer.

“I want to recognize Charlie Hubbs because he was our first-ever MVP winner last year in our inaugural season,” said Ford.  “He is a great person, player, and an important part of our league!”

That’s good enough for us.  I dialed up Charlie to find out more about the TCABL and what makes it special, along with some personal insight.  Coming up on 32, his baseball roots took a familiar turn.

“Last year was our inaugural year,” explained Charlie.  “I played slow pitch and hadn’t played baseball in over a decade.  I was sitting around in February and saw on Facebook that a new adult baseball league was advertising tryouts.

So, I tried out in March; they video-recorded everyone, and then the coaches selected.  I was drafted first overall, and the league started in late May and early June.  I was more of a fan at that point, but I thought I’d give it a go.  I’m now a proud member of the Jalapenos.  We’re fighting for the top spot this year.”

Charlie played a little at a small NAIA college, but in his sophomore year, he decided to concentrate on his studies and leave the game behind.  He had been a pitcher and first baseman, but was asked to concentrate on one position in college, so he selected first base.  The tables were about to turn in his new baseball life.

“To attract a good number of teams, our rosters were 11 each, so I found myself on the mound nearly every game.  I really wasn’t in great shape.  But, in game number one, I threw 186 pitches and struck out 13!  The only problem was that we lost by ten runs.”

What do you see for the future of the league?

“The local Thurston County Chronicle did a story recently, and when the story came out, we received a lot of inquiries, so it looks like maybe an additional two or four teams next year.

I remember back when I was playing Legion ball, and a 65-over league followed us on the field every week.  I always looked in wonder at the guys out there still playing.  Now I get it!”

In your opinion, what is the best part of the league?

“We have a board in place that includes a representative from each team.  They help create the bylaws with DeVonte, and they also vote for the pitcher, hitter, coach, and overall MVP.

The league has brought together people who love baseball and share baseball.  It has built a baseball community and has resulted in many new friends.  When I came up here to Washington, my friends became baseball friends.  The games give me something to look forward to and give me purpose.  Baseball was a large part of my growing up and remains invaluable, thanks to the league.”

Charlie is a rehab counselor at a state hospital, overseeing games, exercises, counseling both groups and individuals, and is going into his third year.  He and his wife met as university grad students, and both eventually found jobs in Olympia.

“My work is very rewarding.  I truly enjoy being able to make a difference in someone’s life.”

Charlie has always been a big Ken Griffey Jr. fan, but also has a couple of guys who have impacted his life and his approach to the game.

“Being a pitcher, Randy Johnson was the guy.  We’re both left-handed, though he’s a little scarier than I am.  I wanted to embody him.  I wanted people to be afraid of me.  I just loved watching him.

My Cardinal favorite was Jim Edmonds.  His attitude and hustle grew on me.  I was affected early on by Griffey, when he was a Red.  Since I was a lefty, I wanted to hit like Griffey and Bonds.

My grandmother is definitely a huge Cardinal fan. As a kid, I would spend many summers watching the Redbirds with her on the couch; she’d usually fall asleep by the fifth inning, but we had fun and ate ballpark snacks like pizza, popcorn, and Coca-Cola as if we were at Busch.

My brother and I built a field in the yard, and I was always trying to hit them out like Griffey and Bonds.  We played ball all of the time.  Baseball was our life.”

However, as I dug deeper into Charlie’s all-time favorite players, his final response seemed to come from left field, pardon the pun.

“I wanted to add that I always wore 24 for Manny Ramirez. I loved how much fun he had and how fun he was to watch. After the Sox swept the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series, I had been transformed, rooting for Manny, Big Papi, and Pedro.”

I think we have found our first open-aficionado of Manny Ramirez.  Great job, Charlie!

“In closing, I also wanted to make sure I thanked my teammates for their support and help in creating one of the best, if not the best, baseball communities and teams I have ever been a part of.

Being a Jalapeño has added value to my life that is difficult to put into words. Having a family to share the game that has been such a large part of who I am has been everything, and for that I am eternally grateful.”