The statement below is by Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. on behalf of the Board regarding the passing of legendary Camden County baseball coach Joe Hartmann.
The Board of Commissioners is devastated to hear of the passing of Joe Hartmann last week. Joe was a well-known figure in the world of baseball here in South Jersey with a career spanning more than four decades. Not only was he the founder of the South Jersey Baseball Coaches Association, he was also one of the lead organizers of the Diamond Classic Tournament, the Camden County High School All-Star Baseball Game and the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association All-Star game.
Additionally, Hartmann coached at Eastern Regional High School from 1969 to 1986 and served as the school’s athletic director from 1970 to 1989. Hartmann was the true embodiment of what a coach should be. He was hands on, caring, constructive and never put winning or losing above celebrating true sportsmanship. Hartmann’s love for baseball and his community radiated through all the contributions he made throughout his 90 years of life. We will miss Joe dearly, but his legacy will live on in the generations of athletes and coaches to come.