A right-handed pitcher and outfielder, Joel was on the Meramec team that finished seventh in the nation in 1979. He was a standout athlete at Maplewood High and also played for the Maplewood American Legion team. In 1978, Housewright played for the University of Arkansas, and then went on to play for Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. During his two seasons at SIU-E, he had 101 hits, leading his team to the regional finals in 1982. That year, he was named to the Magnificent 7 list of athletes at SIU-E.

From 1978-82, Joel was an all-star outfielder for the Sotolar Pointes. His team won four league championships. During his five years with the Pointers, he had a composite batting average of .350. He currently plays for the Bud Light Senior Men’s team and was elected to four all-star teams in the Senior Baseball League. Housewright coached Youth baseball teams in Maplewood for several years.