
Tim Hawkins is easily recognized as the tall, lanky ambidextrous #21, often found playing first base and displaying a grin from ear to ear.
Hawkins is unofficially retiring from Veto League after this Saturday’s contest, finishing with a respectable career stat line of 56 games played, 51 runs, 43 RBI, .443 batting average, seven doubles, two triples and one home run.
That single home run came in his final game played.
Hawkins’ girlfriend, Talen Gerber, made an agreement with Hawkins to make her VLB debut in Hawkins’ final Veto League day. Gerber has many times found herself in attendance watching VLB games, but had yet to officially try out the league. Gerber found herself playing right field in the bottom of the 5th inning, with two runners on and Hawkins at the plate. Hawkins drilled a shot off Josh Paul toward his girlfriend in right. The shot landed to her right and skipped almost to the wall. Hawkins was content with a triple until teammates waved him home. He scored standing up for his first career homerun, inside-the-park style.
Hawkins batted lead-off in both games, finishing 5-11 with three runs and three RBI. He also found himself playing an unfamiliar position – shortshop. In a highlight play, Hawkins dove to his right on a Jim Wesson line drive, snatching the three hopper and firing from his knees to Rick Ulloa at second base for the force out, who turned the double play with a throw to first.
Last season, Veto League concluded their season with an All-Star Showcase Classic at Modern Woodmen Park. Hawkins had played in enough games to qualify for the event, however, passed on the memories because he had a college class to attend. He will be moving to Sioux City, Iowa, next weekend and will once again miss the All-Star Showcase. His 56 games played marks him second all-time amongst players who have participated in VLB, however, have not had the opportunity to play in a night game. Ulloa has played in 73 games and has yet to play in a night game.
The Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) school district will be in good hands, as this is where Hawkins will be working for the foreseeable future. He will be the counselor for kindergarten through 8th grade level. Hawkins and Gerber are tentatively planning to get married in December.
As for the games, the Goonies improved to a league best 13-3 with home victories over the Playaz (8-7) and Gremlins (7-7). The Playaz and Gremlins are in a tight battle for the top spot in the Black Hawk Division while the High Rollers (7-8) and Phenoms (7-8) are fighting for the last playoff spot in the Saukie Division.