JD Hardcastle graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1998, where he played baseball for the Tigers. His collegiate home field was Billy Hebert Field—the same historic grounds he would later help restore and lead.
After graduation, Hardcastle signed with the Chicago Cubs organization and spent five years playing professionally. During the off-seasons, he trained local players to make ends meet and had the opportunity to work with future big leaguers Barry Enright and David Cooper. After retiring from professional play, Hardcastle purchased the local coin-operated batting cage and retail shop All Star Batters Box in North Stockton in 2003. From day one, the focus was clear: training, player development, and teaching “The Game Within the Game.” Hardcastle made it his mission to instill life lessons through baseball in every athlete he coached.
He trained players in the coin-operated cages until he could build out a modest 1,500-square-foot training area inside the building. In that first year, he also coached a travel team out of the Bay Area—Star Maker Sports—whose roster included future big leaguers Max Stassi and Joe Panik. In 2004, the Club All Star travel baseball program was born with a single 12U team. Today, the program has grown to 12 baseball teams and 5 fastpitch softball teams.
In 2007, Club All Star moved into a larger facility in Central Stockton. In 2011, Hardcastle and his wife Danielle won a competitive bid with the City of Stockton to maintain and operate the then-vacated and rundown Billy Hebert Field complex. Under their leadership, Billy Hebert Complex has been transformed into the proud home of Club All Star and now hosts multiple travel-ball tournaments throughout the year.
As a coach, Hardcastle has had the privilege of working with big leaguers Aaron Judge, Willie Calhoun, Mitch Walding, Robert Garcia, Kyle Jensen, Ryan Kreidler, Brett Sullivan and Dean Kremer through CAS. To date, he has coached 40 players who have gone on to play professionally and more than 300+ who have competed at the collegiate level.
Join us in protecting and growing this legacy. Whether you’re a parent looking for elite player development, a former player who wants to give back, or a community partner ready to invest in the next generation of athletes, there’s a place for you at Club All Star and Billy Hebert Field.
Become a partner today and help us continue building champions—on the field and in life.