by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
When Thomas E. Morris began coaching his son’s little league team at the Hendricks Avenue Community Athletic Association (HACAA), he thought his involvement with the group would last only a few years.
Seventeen years later, Morris, a U.S. Magistrate Judge, can’t seem to peel himself away from the baseball diamond.
Judge Morris has been involved with the HACAA in some capacity since his son first started playing tee ball at the age of five. Like numerous other individuals from Jacksonville’s legal community who are involved with the HACAA, Morris doesn’t have plans of stopping any time soon.
“Seeing these kids out here having a good time is what keeps me coming back,” said Morris. “My son just graduated from college this year and I’m still there,” added Morris, who currently serves as the association’s baseball commissioner.
The HACAA operates out of the Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. It has become a second home to dozens of Jacksonville attorneys who assist there, whether as a coach, assistant coach or a concession worker. Since the church first opened its doors 60 years ago and adopted the HACAA, they’ve run youth baseball and basketball programs for area children.
The youth baseball program operates little league divisions from tee ball to Juniors under the National Babe Ruth Leagues, Inc.
Though the HACAA operates out of the church, no religious affiliations are tied to its athletic teams. Youth can come from anywhere in the Northeast Florida area to play there.
Morris began coaching tee-ball in the HACAA when his son was five years old. But the association needed more people involved in the administrative end of the league so he became their commissioner.
“I didn’t coach my son all the way through but I just enjoyed when he was becoming of age to do things,” said Morris.
Adrian Rust, an attorney with Rogers Towers, is a baseball coach for HACAA and says one of the things that he loves the most about coaching there is the low-pressure atmosphere it provides for the children.
“It’s all about having fun,” said Rust. “Here, the kids know it’s not about winning or losing, but about enjoying themselves and I love that.”
Currently, four of the six tee-ball teams are coached by lawyers. Many others from the legal community have been involved with the HACAA including Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Klint who is currently coaching a tadpole team. General Counsel Rick Mullaney, who coached for several years, and former City Council member Matt Carlucci helped raise money for a new field the team needed.
Many of them say they will continue to help the HACAA’s little league teams for as long as they can, especially for the love of baseball.
For Morris, it’s simply for the kids. After 17 years at the HACAA, he’s seen dozens of boys and girls grow into young men and women and says witnessing their growth first hand has been the biggest reward.
“I continue to do this after 17 years because I enjoy seeing the kids smile and I like to see them have fun,” he said.
“I’ve kept in touch with some of the players after they’ve gone to college,” said Morris, “and it’s very satisfying to hear how they’ve gone on and done things in their lives. I don’t have just one child – I have a lot of sons and daughters.”