[1][2][3][4] As an Army reserve there was still a possibility that Hill could have been sent overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan while he was playing in the Mariners farm system.
[5] He was involved in an Army program that allowed athletes to apply for an early discharge after two years of active duty after they signed their contracts.
[8] Hill graduated from Sullivan East High School in June 2003 where he was a three-time letterwinner and was named region player of the year and all-state selection as a senior.
Hill was also on the '07 Roger Clemens Award Watch List and the '06 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America First Team.
In 2009 Hill spent the entire season with the Diamond Jaxx going 5–6 with a 3.10 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 95+2⁄3 innings pitched in 36 games, nine starts.