The Hayward Hawks have been a part of the summer landscape in Hayward since 1970 when the team was formed. Fritz Ackley, Larry Somerville, and Len Johnson were all playing for area teams when they decided to bring amateur baseball back to Hayward. Starting completely from scratch they put together a team that would go 21-7 in its first season and would be a championship contender every year.The Hawks were members of the Independent League, joining that circuit partly because they were able to get league permission to play some of their Sunday home games at night. This was done that the games could air on WRLS radio without interferring with the stations broadcasts of Milwaukee Brewers baseball.The Hawks have won five W.B.A. state championships, a state record, and have been runner-up on three other occasions.The Hawks enjoy a strong local following and have developed many out of town fans as well. Many visitors to the Hayward area each summer always take in a Hawks game or two as part of their vacation entertainment.