After the Rockford Forest Citys disbanded at the end of 1871, Hastings joined the Cleveland Forest Citys in , again as player-manager. However, he lost the job of manager to Deacon White after the team played poorly, especially defensively, on an abortive eastern road trip in May.
Rotating between catcher, second base and the outfield, Hastings was batting .391 when the Forest Citys folded on August 19. He and Jim Holdsworth were the only two Cleveland players who were signed by other teams for the remainder of the season.