Levi Fry is a man of many hats in St. Michael Legion program

ST. MICHAEL — As a man wearing many hats in the St. Michael American Legion program, Levi Fry is finishing one of the busiest weeks of his life.

He is St. Michael’s Division1 Legion head coach and also the host chairman for the Division 1 State Tournament. His phone is just as busy as he is, answering all sorts of questions and keeping his own team on schedule.

Fry was head coach when St. Michael won back-to-back state Division I Legion titles in 2022 and 2023 and the quality of play in the Mikes’ team remains a high priority. “Coming into the state tournament, we didn’t want to be the host team that went 0-2,” he said. The Mikes finished state play among the top eight in the 16-team event with a 2-2 record.

“I have been with this group since they were 10 years old,” Coach Fry said. “A strong group of seniors led our team. I am also an assistant coach on the St. Michael-Albertville varsity team. Legion ball is more laid back than high school. The players are balancing work and fun time with baseball. I try to keep the guys on the bench engaged and cheering for their teammates.”

There are eight 2025 high school graduates on the Mikes’ roster and one 2024 graduate, Drew Luster, who was red-shirted with the St. Cloud State University baseball team this spring. Luster played for St. Michael’s state Legion championship team in 2023.

The college-bound players from this year’s team are James Fry (Concordia-Moorhead), Ryley Wuebkers (Concordia-St. Paul), Lawson Ness (Century College in White Bear Lake} and Gavin Becker (Iowa Western Community College).

James Fry and Becker, co-captains of the STMA High team this spring, are the Legion club’s top two hitters.

“We have five 2025 graduates eligible to play again next Legion season,” Coach Fry said. “We had two sophomores and four juniors on this year’s team.”

Levi Fry goes back a long way with Legion Baseball. He played for his hometown team in Southeast Kansas and won a state championship. He is proud of having championship rings as a player and as a coach. “But I don’t want to dwell on my playing days,” he said. “This week is about the boys who are playing now. One thing I like about the St. Michael Legion program is that we have four teams – two at the Senior level and two at the Junior level. Our Gold Senior team won the Division 1A state championship this week. Our Division 1 Junior team made it to state. All of our players are from our town. Our philosophy is to build from within.”

As the chairman of the host committee, Fry is happy that the weather cooperated. There were zero rain delays and aside from haze in the air from Canadian wildfires, conditions were just about perfect.

“The Good Lord blessed us with good weather, great playing fields and fun baseball games,” Fry said. “A special thanks to our youth association for all of the volunteer help. And the State Baseball Committee for letting us host this event. The city and the school district have been involved in showcasing our community. I would also like to thank my assistant coaches on the Legion 1 team – Reed Brown, Austin Haus and Kaleb Klinkhammer. All four of our Legion teams have college-level players from the community on their coaching staffs.”

In his sixth year on the baseball board and as director of the Legion Baseball Program, Fry has an eye on the future at the personal level. His son Owen is going into fourth grade and played on the 9AAA traveling team this season.

Coach Fry is a strong advocate of Minnesota Legion Baseball and had this to say about the program: “American Legion Baseball here is rooted in history. One of our goals is to teach the history of Legon Baseball, not just on the field, but also the flag and the Legionnaires who support the program. Our local Legion Post stands behind us and makes this a quality program for our youth.”

After working closely with Fry throughout the week, Division 1 State Tournament Director Bruce Young said, “Levi owns his own business and knows how to work with people effectively. Whenever you need something, he’s Johnny on the Spot. That makes him one of the best. We have had a great experience in St. Michael.”