Del City’s Joshua Hardeman
Del City senior utility player Joshua Hardeman has built his baseball career on quiet work, growing patience and a deep appreciation for the people around him. As he prepares to move full time to catcher this season for Del City High School, he is leaning on those same values to guide his final run in an Eagles uniform.
Hardeman said the bond within the Del City program starts with a shared commitment every day. “What I love most about my teammates and team is that we always show up ready to work and get better,” Hardeman said.
He credits his mother for sparking and sustaining his love of the game. “My mother is the one who inspires me to play baseball and have love the game; she’s always there for me, ups and downs,” Hardeman said.
Hardeman describes himself as a utility player but will anchor the defense behind the plate as a senior. “For my senior season I will be playing catcher and the hardest thing about that is probably blocking to me,” he said.
Offensively, he points to his bat as the biggest area of growth going into the season. “The biggest improvement I’ve had coming into the season I would say be my hitting; I struggled a lot but I’m still working on it,” Hardeman said.
One of his favorite memories came as an underclassman, when Del City upset a top seed in the postseason. “My favorite moment from baseball is sophomore year where we beat the No. 1 seed in regionals,” he said.
In the classroom, Hardeman lists English as his favorite subject and points to Ms. Hailey as his favorite teacher. He is also part of the Leadership program at Del City High School, reflecting his role beyond the field.
Hardeman spends much of his free time either at the field or around the game, getting extra work whenever he can. “I like to go to the field and get extra work in or play the game in my free time,” he said.
He said teammate Demarion Bruton is “probably the most vocal and makes everybody laugh,” a presence that keeps the dugout loose. Through it all, baseball has taught Hardeman a lesson he expects to carry long after high school. “Playing baseball has taught me to learn patience and I’ll need that later in life,” he said.
