 Feller began to play American Legion Baseball in the nearby town of Adel at the age of 10 ; the following year , his father built a baseball diamond on the farm . The diamond was named Oak View Park and included a pitching mound , scoreboard and concessions area . Feller and other players formed a team , the <unk> , consisting of semi @-@ pro and high school ballplayers . Feller played primarily as a shortstop or outfielder , and emulated Rogers Hornsby 's batting stance . From the age of 15 , he began to pitch for the <unk> after a starting pitcher was injured ; while doing so , Feller continued to play American Legion baseball . His catcher during this period was Nile <unk> , who later became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame . 
