Norwood Debate—Which Is Hebner’s Top Sport?-This Day In Norwood History-May 12, 1965

Is Norwood High’s Richy Hebner a better baseball or hockey player?

Sixteen‑Year‑Old Richie Hebner Dominates Diamond and Ice

In a town that knows its sports and takes pride in its athletes, there is no debate about the brightest young star currently wearing Norwood’s colors. Everyone in Norwood agrees that Hebner, a 16‑year‑old junior, excels in both sports. Whether he’s carving up defenses on the ice or punishing Bay State League pitching, Richie Hebner has become the name on everyone’s lips this spring.

And with good reason.

A Spring to Remember on the Diamond

This season, Hebner has been nothing short of sensational. The left‑handed slugger and right‑handed thrower has been terrorizing opposing pitchers with a staggering .571 batting average, collecting 16 hits, 12 of them for extra bases, including four home runs. In just eight games, he has already driven in 13 runs, anchoring the Norwood lineup with the kind of power rarely seen at the high‑school level.

Of all his big swings, one stands out above the rest: the towering home run he launched over the center‑field fence to hand Natick High its first defeat in seven games. For a player who thrives on big moments, that blast may be the one he remembers most.

First‑year coach Frank Jacques has seen enough to know he has something special on his hands. Jacques says Hebner has “the quickest and strongest wrists of any schoolboy I’ve ever seen.” He describes Hebner as an aggressive hitter who can “get good wood on any pitch.” If the young star has a flaw, Jacques believes it’s simply this:

“If Richy has a weakness, it’s his anxiety to swing the bat.”

A Winter of Excellence on the Ice

Long before the first pitch of spring, Hebner was already making headlines. A smooth‑skating, sharp‑shooting forward, he earned a spot on the Bay State League All‑Star hockey squad for the second straight year.

His scoring touch has been evident from the start. He netted 10 goals in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. But this year, as a junior, he elevated his game to a new level, hammering home 23 goals and finishing second in league scoring, trailing only his teammate Blaine Maus.

Norwood fans have grown accustomed to seeing Hebner’s name on the score sheet—whether it’s on the rink or in the box score.

A Future Drawing Major League Eyes

Because Hebner is only a junior, baseball scouts have not yet descended on Norwood in full force. But those who follow the sport closely expect that to change next season. If he maintains anything close to his current pace, Hebner could command the kind of signing bonus that recently made headlines in town.

His former Little League teammate, Skip Lockwood, signed with Kansas City last year for $100,000. Hebner and Lockwood—who went on to star at Catholic Memorial—played together on the Norwood Little League All‑Stars that reached the State Championship finals five years ago. Many in Norwood believe Hebner may soon follow a similar path.

A Hockey Line That Doubles as a Baseball Core

Norwood’s baseball team carries a distinct hockey flavor this spring. Hebner’s linemates from the winter season are also key contributors on the diamond. Blaine Maus, the league’s top hockey scorer, now serves as a right‑handed pitcher. Paul Angelo, the third member of the line, has settled in at second base and is hitting a solid .345.

Together, the trio has brought the same chemistry, competitiveness, and scoring punch from the rink to the ballfield—much to the delight of Norwood fans.

A Star Still Rising

At just sixteen, Richie Hebner has already built a résumé that most high‑school athletes would envy. A two‑sport standout, a feared hitter, a prolific goal‑scorer, and a natural competitor, he has become the centerpiece of Norwood’s athletic identity.

And with another full year of high‑school sports ahead of him, the town can only watch with anticipation as his story continues to unfold.

The Boston Globe—May 12, 1965

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