Joe Martin Field is somewhat of a second home to Bellingham Bell's shortstop Kai Hatch.

Between going to Bells' games as a youth, helping Sehome High School win a state title in 2007 and manning shortstop for Bellingham's college wood bat league team in 2010 and 2011, Hatch has grown up in and around the 1,800-capacity stadium located on the corner of Potter and Orleans streets.

"I played at Sehome High School, and I have a lot of good memories (at Joe Martin Field)," Hatch said in a phone interview. "Even when I was 12 or 13, I played Babe Ruth and American Legion at Joe Martin Field. It's the big field in town. It kind of felt like Yankee Stadium back then. It's always a ton of fun."

Now 23 years old, Hatch will take the field for his third stint with the Bells when Bellingham opens its season against the Wenatchee AppleSox at 7:05 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Joe Martin Field.

As a youth, Hatch imagined himself playing for a premier summer league team. The fact he gets to play in his hometown makes it even sweeter.

"It's awesome for me, because I got to play high school ball on that field," Hatch said. "I went to Bells games growing up, and it's really fun to be a part of what I envisioned myself doing as a little kid. It's awesome playing in front of family and friends."

Not only does Hatch play in front of his family, he also plays for a family member - second year Bells' coach Gary Hatch.

Gary, who is Kai's uncle, also coached Kai during his Sehome baseball career.

"It's awesome playing for coach Hatch," Kai said. "I went to baseball camps growing up, learning his style of baseball. He promotes an old-school coaching attitude. He expects 110 percent effort all the time. I've tried to model my baseball career after that. He's about teaching good character on and off the field. He makes you want to play your best when you're around him. That's what I like about him."

Kai played in 55 games - the most of any Bells player - last season. Batting mostly in the No. 2 hole, Kai hit for a .238 average and was second on the team in RBI with 17. He also used to speed to steal 13 bases - a tie for second most on the club.

Under the direction of Gary and first-year team owner Eddie Poplawski, the Bells finished with a record of 21-32 in 2011. After a great start to the season, Bellingham ended the season losing 14 of its last 17 games.

Gary said the Bells struggled at times at the plate while their pitching proved to be a strong suit.

"Last year we came out and lost 15 games by one or two runs," Gary said in a phone interview. "If you want to get into the playoffs, you got to win those. Instead of having one or two guys who can hit this year, we got a whole lineup that can put the ball in play. We got some Pac-12 kids from ASU, Washington and Washington State."

Gary believes Kai - who is coming off a 47-12 season with Utah Valley University in which he batted .342 in 59 games - and Derek Atkinson are two returners who will help the Bells at the plate.

Infielder Grant Fink, Johnny Farrington and Desmond Santos are newcomers Gary said will bring added pop to Bellingham's roster. Nathaniel Causey is a catcher from Arizona State University and has a ton of power. Jake Peevyhouse and Rouric Bridgewater are also ASU players Gary said should help the Bells generate more runs.

While Bellingham is trying to win games, another focal point is helping the athletes develop their skills as baseball players.

"The main thing to understand is that is that this is a developmental league, and we are working with college athletes who are very good and still have the dream of moving to the pro game," Gary said. "We want to provide everything we can for them to have a good experience."

Bellingham's roster is mostly freshman and sophomores from four-year colleges and community college players who are still developing.

Kai is a bit different, however.

Following his freshman year at Utah Valley, Kai served a two-year mission in Lithuania before returning to the club for his sophomore season in 2011.

Gary describes his nephew as one of those rare five-tool baseball players, and Kai proved a good tool never gets rusty by quickly returning to top from after his two-year hiatus from baseball.

"Coming off a two-year mission and not having touched a baseball is very difficult," Gary said. "He worked really hard and got his game back to a level where he wants it. He can hit, run, throw and is a real special guy. He's one of those five-tool players you get lucky to coach. Being able to play in front of family and friends is a dream (for him)."

Kai acknowledged he may be at a different stage in his career than other Bells. After getting married five months ago, he said he's realizing there are other important things in life besides baseball.

But that doesn't mean he won't play as long as he can.

"Obviously I'm a bit older than most of the players who are playing for the Bells," Kai said. "Baseball is something I love to do. I want to play as long as I can, but I realize there are other things in life. Baseball has opened up opportunities for me, and I want to play as long as I can. If it works with my family, it's something I want to do."

Reach Andrew Lang at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-756-2862.

2012 BELLINGHAM BELLS SCHEDULE

June 1 Wenatchee AppleSox 7:05 p.m.

June 2 Wenatchee AppleSox 7:05 p.m.

June 3 Wenatchee AppleSox 6:05 p.m.

June 4 Wenatchee AppleSox 7:05 p.m.

June 5 West Coast League Portland 7:05 p.m.

June 7 at Kitsap BlueJackets 6:35 p.m.

June 8 at Kitsap BlueJackets 6:35 p.m.

June 9 at Kitsap BlueJackets 6:35 p.m.

June 10 Klamath Falls Gems 6:05 p.m.

June 11 Klamath Falls Gems 7:05 p.m.

June 12 Klamath Falls Gems 7:05 p.m.

June 13 Kitsap BlueJackets 7:05 p.m.

June 14 Kitsap BlueJackets 7:05 p.m.

June 5 Kitsap BlueJackets 7:05 p.m.

June 16 West Coast League Portland 7:05 p.m.

June 18 at Klamath Falls Gems 7:05 p.m.

June 19 at Klamath Falls Gems 7:05 p.m.

June 20 at Klamath Falls Gems 7:05 p.m.

June 21 at Cowlitz Black Bears 6:35 p.m.

June 22 at Cowlitz Black Bears 6:35 p.m.

June 23 at Cowlitz Black Bears 6:35 p.m.

June 26 at Corvallis Knights 6:40 p.m.

June 27 at Corvallis Knights 6:40 p.m.

June 28 at Corvallis Knights 6:40 p.m.

June 29 at Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

June 30 at Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

July 3 Corvallis Knights 7:05 p.m.

July 4 Corvallis Knights 7:05 p.m.

July 5 Corvallis Knights 7:05 p.m.

July 6 Cowlitz Black Bears 7:05 p.m.

July 7 Cowlitz Black Bears 7:05 p.m.

July 8 Cowlitz Black Bears 6:05 p.m.

July 9 West Coast League Portland 7:05 p.m.

July 10 West Coast League Portland 7:05 p.m.

July 12 at Bend Elks 6:35 p.m.

July 13 at Bend Elks 6:35 p.m.

July 14 at Bend Elks 6:35 p.m.

July 16 at Kelowna Falcons 6:35 p.m.

July 17 at Kelowna Falcons 6:35 p.m.

July 18 at Kelowna Falcons 6:35 p.m.

July 19 at Kelowna Falcons 6:35 p.m.

July 20 Bend Elks 7:05 p.m.

July 21 Bend Elks 7:05 p.m.

July 22 Bend Elks 6:05 p.m.

July 24 at West Coast League All-Star Game 7:05 p.m.

July 25 Kelowna Falcons 7:05 p.m.

July 26 Kelowna Falcons 7:05 p.m.

July 27 Kelowna Falcons 7:05 p.m.

July 28 Kelowna Falcons 7:05 p.m.

July 31 at Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

August 1 at Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

August 2 at Wenatchee AppleSox 7:05 p.m.

August 3 at Wenatchee AppleSox 7:05 p.m.

August 4 at Wenatchee AppleSox 7:05 p.m.

August 5 at Wenatchee AppleSox 7:05 p.m.

August 6 Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

August 7 Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

August 8 Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

August 9 Walla Walla Sweets 7:05 p.m.

2012 BELLINGHAM BELLS ROSTER

Pitchers

Player Pos. Height Weight Bats Throws College

Jacob Coats P 6' 4" 195 L L University of Washington

David Berg P 6' 0" 180 R R UCLA

Logan West P 6' 5" 190 R R University of San Francisco

Andrew Olson P 6' 1" 205 L L Seattle University

Keith Zuniga P 6' 1" 175 R R University of Washington

Will Ballowe P 6' 4" 225 R L University of Washington

Jeff Gonzales P 6' 0" 170 R R Bellevue College

Chris Harper P 6' 2" 175 L L Ohlone College

Sean Hartnett P 6' 5" 240 R R Washington State University

Karl Myers P 6' 5" 235 R R Gonzaga University

Corey Carma P 5' 11" 180 R R USC

Mitch Gueller P 6' 3" 205 R R Washington State University

Jared Fisher P 6' 4" 240 L R University of Washington

John Albert P 6' 2" 195 R R Hawaii Pacific University

Randy Button P 6' 3" 190 R R Central Washington University

Davis Engel P 5' 11" 150 R R Central Washington University

Dante Baldocchi P 6' 4" 210 L L Clackamas Community College

Peter Irvin P 6' 8" 185 L L Skagit Valley College

Eric Jaffe P 6' 4" 235 R R UCLA

Adam Gunn P 5' 10" 190 R R Utah Valley State University

Mark Lambson P 5' 10" 189 R R Arizona State University

Catchers

Player Pos. Height Weight Bats Throws College

Nathaniel Causey C 6' 2" 200 L R Arizona State University

Michael Leach C 6' 2" 180 R R North Dakota State University

Joe Winterburn C 5' 11" 200 R R UC Santa Barbara

Infielders

Player Pos. Height Weight Bats Throws College

Kai Hatch SS 6' 2" 175 R R Utah Valley State University

Andrew Ely 2B 5' 11" 175 L R University of Washington

Rouric Bridgewater 1B 6' 2" 200 L R Arizona State University

Desmond Santos SS 5' 8" 160 R R University of Oregon

Johnny Farrington IF 5' 5" 145 S R Biola

Grant Fink IF 6' 3" 215 R R Missouri Western State University

Outfielders

Player Pos. Height Weight Bats Throws College

Derek Atkinson RF 5' 11" 185 L R University of San Francisco

Jonny Locher OF 6' 0" 175 S L Stanford

Jake Peevyhouse LF 5' 11" 190 L L Arizona State University

Michael Gerlach CF 6' 2" 185 R R San Jose State University

Jarel Lewis OF 6' 0" 210 R R College of Idaho

Jacob Meyer OF 6' 0" 175 R R Skagit Valley College

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.