LCC influence helps area Legion teams

HARTINGTON — Laurel-Concord-Coleridge has farmed out some pretty good baseball players to the area American Legion baseball programs.

Three players, Dylan Taylor, Koby Detlefsen and Dan Puppe headed north to play for the Hartington Post 4 Junior and Senior Legion teams.

ThePost4Seniorsjustwounduptheir2023baseball season over the weekend by competing in the Class C State Tournament in Rushville.

Taylor and Detlefsen are playing on both teams while Puppe is on the Seniors team.

“The guys are great here,” Puppe said. “They treat youjustlikeeveryoneelseontheteam,youdon’treally even consider yourself as an outsider - you’re just part of the team. It’s been a blast.”

Puppe, in fact all three, are hitting in excess of .300 and are regulars in the field for whichever team is playing.

“I would prefer to play catcher if I have a choice,” Puppe said. “I like being involved all the time — but don’t get me wrong. I’ll play wherever they need me.”

Detlefsen is used to playing away from home after playing for a travel team in Vermillion, S. D. the past few years.

“Once I started Legion ball, I figured I would go to Hartington,” Detlefsen said. “I wanted to go somewhere they had a good team - I’m glad I came here.”

Detlefsen played on the Juniors team which lost in the Area finals a couple of weeks back. He has been a big asset in the Seniors postseason success.

“I just love to play baseball and these guys love it too,” he said. “They are some really good guys and are a lot of fun to be around.”

Detlefsen can play anywhere on the field, including pitcher.

“I like to pitch,” he said. “You’re in control of the game andyouneedtostay focused and I like to hit.”

Wh i c h i s apparent by his average and the fact he has his own batting cage at home.

“I hit in the cage four or five times a week,” he said. “All year long.”

Taylorisenjoying his time up north in his second season with Post 4.

“They are a great group of guys,” Taylor said. “They have been really cool ever since I came up here - they are a lot of fun and very supportive, great teammates.”

Tyler Olson followed his brother, Dillon to Pender to play for Post 43.

He recently returned from a trip to Imperial where he played in the Class C Junior American Legion State Tournament and is a member of the Pender Senior team as well.

He too, pitches and plays wherever they need him and is also batting over .300 regardless of which team he is playing on.

“You always want to pitch, but I just love to play baseball,” he said. “Dillon came to Pender so I already knew some of the guys - I really like it and they treat me just like one of the guys.”

ThePenderSeniorswerealsoinanAreafinal,taking on Oakland July 25 in Area 2 for a trip to Rushville.

Dillon Olson is also on the Pender Senior roster but has been hampered by a hamstring injury for most of the summer.

“I can call every guy I’m playing with here (in Hartington),”Detlefsensaid.“I’msuresomeofthese guys will become life-long friends - it’s been a blast.”