Hegge Family Baseball
By Kyle Stevens
Cedar County News
HARTINGTON — For some people baseball is just a game.  For the Hegge family, it is much more then that  — it’s a way of life.
For the Hegge’s, baseball is a passion and a tradition that has been passed down through the generations.  It is something that is in their blood.
A common bond has been formed through the way they talk, feel, and play the game.
This bond is never more evident then in Hartington’s Ty Hegge and Eric Hames, and Crofton’s Nick Hegge and Scott Donner. 
They are first cousins and friends off the field and opponents on the field, and each of them shares the same love for baseball.
“Baseball is a great game,”  said Donner, son of John and Lorrie (Hegge) Donner. ”It is my favorite sport.”
The fondness each of them has for baseball was developed at a young age by a strong family influence.  
Nick Hegge, son of Bob and Helene Hegge, said baseball is a main theme at family gatherings.
“The main topic at family functions is always baseball or the Cardinals,” said Hegge, “You don’t talk about much else.”
If they were not talking baseball with the family, the boys were playing ball together.  Ty Hegge, son of Rod and Jackie Hegge, said there were many hot summer afternoons growing up in Crofton spent playing ball on the St. Rose ball field with his cousins.
“Nick, Scott and I would go down there on the hottest days when no one else wanted to play,” said Ty Hegge, “We were out there no matter what.” 
The family influence has extended throughout there tenure in organized baseball. 
Ty Hegge and Hames are coached by Ty’s father, Rod, and Eric’s father, Don, while Nick’s father, Bob, coaches for Crofton.  
Being coached by a relative has been a constant throughout each of their careers.
“All of my coaches all throughout baseball have been uncles or parents.”  Donner said. 
The family involement has helped create many similarities.  All four of the young men pitch for their respective squads, and each plays on the left side of the infield.
The similarities do not stop on the field as each approaches the game with great intensity.
“You have to play today’s game like it is going to be your last.” Nick Hegge said, “That days game is the most important thing of the day.”
Hames, son of Don and LaDonna (Hegge) Hames, said that preparation for a game is just as important as playing it.
“On the day of the game, the game is all I think about,” Hames said, “It is important to focus and keep your mind on what you have to do.”
This hard-nosed mentality that each possesses is never more present then when they play against each other.  There is no room for friendship when they step between the lines.
They did that in the Elkhorn Valley League Championship game. They may very well face each other again in the District Tourney.
“We put our friendship on the side when we are on the field,” said Ty Hegge. “We acknowledge each other, but you need to keep focused because you know they are.”
No matter the outcome of the game, there remains a friendship and a mutual respect for each others’ talents.
“I respect the way all these guys play the game,” said Hames, “You know they are just like you and you can trust in their ability.”
Family ties will most definitley be put on the back burner as Crofton and Hartington will both be competing in the District tournament starting here Friday. 
The quartet of Hegge cousins is already thinking about their next encounter on the field.