Most entertaining interview: The star of the show

You could sit for hours listening to AJ Hacker talk about baseball and his passion for the game. During a phone interview over the summer, we chatted about a new venture he’s enjoying that lets him stay on the diamond. The Cosmic Baseball League travels around the country and plays to sold-out stadiums.The games are part traditional baseball, part sports entertainment. Our conversation sometimes took on a serious tone, with a few interesting stories mixed in. We still talked about baseball, but the venue and the spectacle that the new league creates were just as intriguing.The games share normal baseball rules with a few of their own. The latter portion of the game is played in the dark, with a few small spotlights around the field and fans’ flashlights giving the diamond a unique glow. Players wear neon uniforms and play with neon balls and bats. Hacker’s description has you hooked instantly.I found one quote particularly interesting about how Hacker adapted his mindset to a new style of baseball on the field.“The real switch at first was very hard,” Hacker said. “I was skeptical about the whole entertainment baseball thing. Growing up, I thought I was one of the biggest bulldogs in the state, mentally approaching games. I made some adjustments to how I lock in. I am with my teammates and the opposing team every single day. I can’t use my aggressiveness like I used to, but when I am on the mound in front of 15 to 20,000 people with their flashlights screaming, the feeling is unmatched.”The mentality became a guiding force to winning Kentucky Mr. Baseball at Rowan County. Hacker was a two-time 16th Region champion and, as a senior, a winning pitcher in the state tournament.The highlight for me was hearing about a Father’s Day weekend stop at Slugger Field in Louisville. The Chili Peppers brought Hacker back to the Bluegrass, and he played in front of family and friends.Before every game, the team brings someone from the stands out to throw out the first pitch. It comes with a caveat. If the Chili Peppers batter swings at the offering, it’s a live ball. Hacker brought his dad, Scott, out to the mound and had him pitch to his son in a professional baseball park. It had to be a huge moment for both of them.AJ swung through his father’s split-finger delivery and returned the favor by playing lights-out the rest of the night.The tour extends to major-league ballparks next year. It’s worth the price of admission.