Anyone on a softball field will tell you that Don Hensley is one of the nicest guys around!  However, if you’re playing a game against him, he wants to beat you and your team, and for that matter, every time you play against him.  Outside of that scenario, he is the nicest, friendliest and likable guy you ever want to meet.

Don, the pitcher for Bare Elegance Softball Team was born in 1944 and lives in Westchester, California with his wife and biggest cheerleader, Cathy.  His children, Ashley and Rob are the namesakes for his Ash-Rob Softball Team that competed in Southern California for many years.  He graduated from Venice High School then became a framing carpenter, but his ambition to become a member of law enforcement led his career to the Los Angeles Police Department, and after 21 years on the force retired as a Juvenile Investigator.  Going back to his original line of work, Don became a general contractor and developer building mostly in Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and Westchester in Los Angeles County.

Don’s passion for sports still has him competing in senior softball leagues twice a week in Culver City and Manhattan Beach.  He also belongs to one of Southern California’s premier champion softball teams, Bickerton Iron Works.  Together, through the years they have won many local tournaments and World Championships and currently continue to be the team to beat during their competitions.  This passion for sports is not something he developed since retiring as you can see in the following excerpt from a Culver City Daily Newspaper.

From Culver City Newspaper – 1992

“I’M JUST A BIG KID”…… 

VETERAN BRINGS SPECIAL PASSION TO THE FIELD

“Nice guys finish last,” the Chicago Cub Hall-of-Famer once said.  Durocher never met Aggressive Erectors pitcher Don Hensley.

Hensley, 49, has maintained his competitive edge through his 20 years of participation on culver city leagues, while garnering adulation and respect among local softball and basketball circles.

LIKE FAMILY

“Don keeps everyone in the game.  No one wants to win more than he does.  He is the nicest guy.  He is like my family,” Erectors manager Jeff Perry said.

“He is such a real person.  Don has given so much to the league,” Sandi Potts, player, manager, and umpire said.

To which Hensley replies, “I’m just a big kid.  I’ll always be playing.”

“The Kid” won several batting titles in the late 1980’s, battling with players 20 years his junior.  He has led his Aggressive Erector and Ash-Rob softball and basketball teams to numerous championships.

Hensley, who was an L.A. Police Department standout on the beat and on the diamond, is a singles’ hitter.  He spots the ball well.  “It’s tough to get hits in the Tuesday night league, this season.  If you don’t hit the perfect line drive against these guys, then it’s tough.” Hensley said.

Finding holes was easier when slowpitch was coming into vogue, some 20 years ago.

DRIVES UP THE MIDDLE

“When we started to play slow pitch after having played fast pitch for most of our lives, nobody knew how to play the game.  I discovered that the way to get on base was to hit line drives up the middle by the pitcher.  Most players were trying to pull the ball over the heads of the infielders,” Hensley said.

Realizing that the pitcher’s location is vulnerable, Hensley worked hard on shoring up his defensive skills.  He became one of the best defensive pitchers in the game.  “I throw a good knuckleball, but in slowpitch if the batter is a good hitter it does not matter what you pitch.  My specialty is defense up the middle.  But, now that I’m older, I’m not as good,” Hensley said.

While the Venice High School alumnus has seasoned, the Culver City leagues have improved in talent and administration.  “Everything has gotten better.  Out fielders are faster today.  Players are much better athlete.  With two umpires and more sophistication, the Culver City leagues are the best around.  I play on a 45-and-over team in Lawndale and I appreciate all that Culver City offers for its players,” Hensley said.