State Legion tourney is special to Hopkins Flyer

HOPKINS — Of the 275 players suiting up for this week’s American Legion Baseball Tournament, no one is happier to be here that Hopkins designated hitter Lincoln Heath.

Legion ball gave Heath a new lease on life after he had only seven at-bats during the high school season as he recovered from a torn ACL, sustained while playing basketball last fall.

Heath, who played right field with the Hopkins High School and American Legion teams in 2024, was looking forward to finishing his prep baseball career on a high note, but a recovery from a severe knee injury is never easy. After surgery, he was on the sidelines for quite a while.

“I was able to take batting practice the last week of captains’ practice,” Heath said. “I was scared at first that I wouldn’t be able to play baseball at all.”

As the summer rolled around, Heath’s knee felt better. Hopkins Legion coach Tyler Brodersen has always liked the way Heath hits the ball, and often this summer Heath has been high in the Flyers’ batting. Not yet able to play in the field, the tall left-handed batter is able to hit and run the bases.

Heath was flying to score from first base on a double by teammate Eli Charney when the Flyers defeated Hamel 8-1 in the Sub-State 4 Tournament. The celebration following Hopkins’ 4-3 win over Hutchinson after the championship game was Heath’s chance to say thanks to all of his Hopkins coaches and teammates.

When he goes to the University of Utah this fall, Heath plans to pack his baseball glove and bat along with his skis.

“I would like to play club baseball,” he said. Throughout Utah, there are many well-known ski areas.

Asked what it means to be playing in the State Division I Legion Tournament this week in St. Michael and surrounding communities, Heath said, “It means the world to me.”