Born in 1903 in McClellandtown, Pennsylvania, Hostetler was considered a great prospect with the Boston Braves, but he was released in 1929. He later played for the Akron Tyrites in the Central League in 1929, hitting .360 in 104 games. He next played later for the Tulsa Oilers in the St. Louis Browns organization, and then in the Washington Senators farm system.\n', '

Eventually, Hostetler says, "I gave up the idea of playing in the majors." He noted: "When a fellow reaches 35 the thought of playing in the majors is wishful thinking." After nine years in the minor leagues, Hostetler left the minor leagues and took on various industrial jobs. He played four or five games a week of semi-pro ball in Wichita, Kansas, and Texas, when his work schedule permitted.\n', '

World War II had decimated the rosters of most major league baseball teams. Players who had been passed over suddenly were in demand. So it was that Detroit Tigers contacted Hostetler in 1943. Hostetler noted that when the Tigers contacted him, "I was really a surprised rookie."\n', '

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