Wes Hazlett

Wesley William Hazlett II
(Wes)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
• School Huron University
• High School Willmar Senior High School

• Born October 27, 1971 in St. Paul, MN USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Wes Hazlett was a non-roster minor league spring training invite in 1991 with the Cincinnati Reds. Hazlett pursued collegiate baseball at Willmar Community College (Ridgewater College). He then earned honorable mention All-American honors as an OF while at Huron University. In 1994, Hazlett opted against signing professionally with the St. Paul Saints in favor of returning for his senior year at Huron University.

He was drafted in the third round of the 1996 Prairie League draft by the Minot Mallards following tryouts with the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. Despite Hazlett hitting .600 (6-for-10, 3 2B, 6 RBI's, 4 BB) during the Mallards' exhibition season, he was placed on waivers after the signing of former Minnesota Twins player Darrell Brown. Hazlett was then picked up by the Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs where he was installed as a defensive replacement in the 8th inning and made a shoestring catch to end a rally that would have brought in the tying run. Hazlett's first hit was a run-scoring double down the left field line to Saskatoon Smokin' Guns left-fielder Curt Ford. 1996 was purportedly the last year of professional baseball in Hazlett's official bio.

Hazlett continued playing baseball at the amateur level for Minnesota's storied "Town Team Leagues" and retired as a player with the Raymond Rockets in 2000. He played ten years of amateur baseball with the Willmar Rails, New London-Spicer Twins, Huron Sixers (Huron, SD) and the previously mentioned Raymond Rockets. From his childhood days Hazlett compiled a playing career of over twenty years.

In 2003 Wes Hazlett worked as a regional instructor for former MLB journeyman OF/IB Mike Kingery's Solid Foundation Baseball School and assisted Kingery in establishing a professional showcase camp with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hazlett then started Laser Maker Baseball Clinics where he organized several youth baseball camps in support of D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) as well as for the Operation Helmet program. Hazlett coordinated two of these D.A.R.E. fundraisers with assistance from the Saint Paul Saints of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. In the fall of 2005, Hazlett was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Saints game for his volunteer work as an emergency response vehicle driver following the Hurricane Katrina and Rita emergency response efforts with the American Red Cross.

Hazlett joined MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins and former New York Mets player Ed Hearn at Worldwide Baseball Prospects in 2007 and briefly served as the Minnesota representative. He also assisted America's Team in assembling players from the United States to compete internationally against teams in Europe.

In 2009, Hazlett founded The American Patriot Program (TAPP) and served as its National Director and Chief Liaison to Major League Baseball, organizing numerous events with MLB teams to honor the service and sacrifices of combat wounded veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Hazlett personally presented nearly 100 Gold Star Families in 2010 with an "Enduring Remembrance" tribute bat customized by several MLB bat manufacturers. Through TAPP, Wes worked with the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, and other MLB and MiLB teams to produce on-field award presentations to combat wounded veterans. He also worked with Hall of Fame Pitcher Bert Blyleven, former Philadelphia Eagle Vince Papale, and Olympic Gold Medalist Jim Craig, the goalie on the 1980 U.S. Miracle on Ice Hockey Team, in different phases of TAPP. The United States Army and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty recognized Hazlett with civilian commendations for his role in supporting veterans.

In 2011 Hazlett established the Diamond King Award Program now implemented under the group known as DK Baseball. DK Baseball has recognized and honored nearly thirty Minnesota high school baseball players who have overcome adversity in various disciplines. The program operates today and works jointly with teams within the Northwoods League with events previously hosted by the Willmar Stingers, Alexandria Blue Anchors, St. Cloud Rox, and the Rochester Honkers.

Hazlett has also served as a volunteer youth baseball coach since 2006 for a number of youth, VFW, and high school baseball programs throughout Minnesota. He created the Line Drive Food Drive baseball camp to support the local food shelf in Winona, Minnesota.

In 2017, Hazlett started the Legacy Edition Tribute Bat program which uniquely honors those who have built strong baseball legacies throughout Minnesota.

He is affectionately endeared by some as "Batman", as a result of having been directly involved in over 150 unique baseball bat presentations around the United States.