The 1989 season was, for us, groundbreaking. We grew tired of our old digs and decided to move the field just up the street, in a full dirt road intersection. We also built a fence that was donated by Randy, with his old wooden pool fencing. The fence varied from year to year in height and in depth, but the new field made for a wee bit more challenging home run.

A huge pine which was in straightaway center field draped over much of Moriarty Stadium's outfield. The rule on this tree was pretty much the same as the one at the old Moriarty Stadium: If it hits any part of the tree and falls to the ground, whether in play or over the fence, it was a home run. Many cheap dingers were had on this tree in '89 and in future years until the rule was changed in '92.

        The ground ball rule, which is one of the major rules that makes the HRL work today, was implemented. The rule in its most pure form goes like this: If the batter can get to first base before the ball he hit is cleanly fielded, he's safe. If not, he's out. The softball size Wiffleball was also used for brief periods during the season, but by the end of the year, the only ball allowed was the WIFFLE brand baseball size ball.

        The highlight of the '89 season was the construction of lights. Pops led the effort, enabling the HRL to play its first night games ever, providing much more fun to the league. Also, HRL godfather Mike Foley laid forth plans to hold playoffs for the first time. In order to do this, the league kept track of wins and losses as well as homers. The accuracy of the stat-keeping remains in question because there were no modern means of keeping stats. We did the best we could.

In 1989 the HRL also started giving out end of season awards. (See bottom of the page)