Our story

The Hermosa Beach Trippers are an amateur softball team founded by the late James Hurley in 1989.  Jimmy aka: “Hurls” gave the team the name “Trippers” after watching many of his teammates make errant plays due their lack of talent and consumption of cold barley soup. During the end of the 1980’s, Hermosa Beach was a formidable place for anyone trying to maintain a healthy liver.

The team consisted of a colorful collection of “want-to-be” ball players, each of whom brought their special talent. Names like Timmy and Johnny Shea, the Dougherty brothers, the Bush brothers, Ribby, Steamer, Shoe, Gamer, Garv, Big Matty, Aaron, Frosty, Ian iPod, Scooter, Lee “Oak Tree” and Flynnie (best base runner on team) all contributed over the years. These names along with a collective old JV high school want-to-be athletes, guys I just met at Beastie’s (Underground), cousins, and friends in town visiting Hermosa Beach filled Tripper line up cards each year.

Since James Hurley passed away on March 15th, 1997, his legacy of making a difference has been fulfilled by the efforts of Tim Shea and the Hurley Foundation serving those in need. Since Tim stepped down as Manager of the Trippers, the role of fielding a team was left to a list a of great managers who attempted to control and organize individuals of questionable softball skill and an even greater predilection for post-game shenanigans.

Our top priorities:

  • Have Fun

  • Support Our Teammates

  • Support Our Community

In 2021 the team made the late Arron Charlton its first Hall of Fame selection.  The irony of the choice was not lost on teammates. Aaron was a man devoted to baseball statistics, yet the team had not recorded any of his. Aaron’s career highlights were purely anecdotal, “greatest arm, great bat, great knowledge of the game and a great guy.”

The team has enjoyed many successful seasons with talented players like Tattoo TJ, Walsh, Scottie, Paul, Baseball is Life Dave, Mike Ott and even Frankie. They all did their best to keep the Tripper Club out of the league cellar. Raymond aka “Ram” took over as manager, ruminated, contemplated, and counted as days, weeks, months with the team getting older and skills diminishing. Through his dedication and shrewd art of persuasion, Ram found the time and energy to keep the tradition going and recruit a new generation of players with the same mindset of having fun and giving back.

Today the ball club is still having fun, trying to win, and supporting the community of Hermosa Beach.

Trippers in action circa 1994