On Sunday the past and present were brought together in their love for Hart baseball for the annual Alumni Game at Hart High School. 

The stands were filled with friends and families with deep ties to the baseball program at Hart High School to watch the alumni players take the field. 

“It brings back a lot of smiles, a lot of memories,” reflected Hart baseball coach Jim Ozella. “The greatest thing is to see how our guys have developed, how they’ve grown. It brings a tear.”

Coach Jim Ozella with his varsity team players. Photo by Linsey Towles

Blast From 1999’s Past

This year’s game was made extra special with the gathering of players from the 1999 Hart High School baseball team, who led a historic year for Hart baseball that has yet to be achieved again since. The team brought back the CIF Division 2 Championship that year. 

Former coach Bud Murray speaks about his 1999 team, located behind him. Photo by Linsey Towles

These players were recognized by current Coach Ozella and the team’s 1999 coach Bud Murray who has since retired, and were given special gifts to commemorate their championship year. 

They were a part of the larger group of alumni who gathered on Sunday to play three innings, with players from as recent as the Class of 2020 to as early as the Class of 1969. 

Larry Fiscus’ Legacy

The 2023 game marked the first game since the passing of Hart High sports legend Larry Fiscus in June of 2022 from a stroke. Fiscus graduated from Hart High School in 1974 and continued working there as an equipment manager and scoreboard operator. He was greatly beloved by the Hart High School community and the alumni game has since been named after him. 

“He lived through all these guys playing and they all remember him,” said Ozella about Larry. “He was such an important part of the community and had such a big role in our program. His passing really hurts but we’re trying to maintain his memory.”

A larger banner hung over the box on Sunday’s game stating “Larry Fiscus Alumni Game.” Three of Larry’s sisters were present and accepted special gifts from Ozella and the team.

Alumni Game

This year’s first pitch was thrown by Congressman Mike Garcia to two of Hart’s varsity baseball players. 

Congressman Mike Garcia talks to Hart baseball players. Photo by Linsey Towles

Each year the game is an opportunity to introduce the players of the upcoming season, from the freshman/sophomore team, junior varsity and varsity.

“Our players walk through the gate out there and after four years they walk out that gate,” said Ozella. “It’s good to see them come back and it’s good for our players right now to see the love these guys have for each other.”

Ozella stated that the annual game gives the current players a chance to see how their teambonds can last decades after graduating, and hopefully give them a deeper sense of what the game means.

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