Hackley bring versatility to Red Devils

Matt Rock / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: August 3, 2007

When a player is referred to as a "utility man," usually he or she is a bench player who plays multiple positions.

Dictionary.com cites the baseball phrase as a player who is not a regular and whose value lies in ability to play several positions.

The Red Devils' Brian Hackley has redefined the term over the past six years. Not only has Hackley played more than one position, but he's also been a starter at more than three different ones, and a successful starter at that.

"Each year I show up, I've got a different position," Hackley said. "The last three years I've been in the outfield, the first three years I was in the infield. I've pretty much floated around this whole field since I've been here."

Hackley, 31, is the oldest player on the Apple Valley League squad. He mixes summer baseball with work and a family of three children.

"You've got to juggle me playing ball, my kids playing ball, everyday living," Hackley said. "I mean some days you've got to force yourself just to get out here."

But the Red Devils' current right fielder knows the key to getting out to the park day after day.

"You've got to love what you do, you've got to love getting out here and doing it," Hackley said. "It's something I've been doing since I was eight."

With the Red Devils, it's something he's also been excelling at.
"It speaks of his ability that he's been able to move around the field and maintain a starting position for the last six years," said Culpeper manager Jim Rutkowski. "To move from short to third to the outfield and remain successful is impressive."

The contributions Hackley has made over the years don't end on the field, either.

"Brian has to be a leader for us to be successful, Rutkowski said. "He's the elder statesman of the team and a vocal guy. The younger guys expect him to lead."

As a veteran leader,it helps to have the right players on the team.

"What can you teach-" Hackley said. "They should know the game by now. You just get them out in practice, sometimes you might have to sit back and correct them on what they're doing, but other than that they know how to play the game. That's what makes it easy out here."

On some occasions, Hackley has been in a greater leading role.
"Other than playing everywhere and producing an MVP season last year, Brian's managed the team when I couldn't be there and been successful there, too," Rutkowski said.

Hackley has a record of 8-0 in a managerial role for the Red Devils.

The Culpeper County High School graduate is one of the many examples of the success a player can have when his school career ends.

"This team has been incredibly important for the opportunity it provided young men who wanted to keep playing baseball after their school careers were over," Rutkowski said. "The community doesn't realize how this team wanted to represent Culpeper and do well."

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