Lakers taking in a new experience

By Lethbridge Herald on May 23, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Lakers American Legion  baseball team is going to gain a whole new experience this spring and summer as the new  season has gotten underway.

The Lakers have moved up to the  American Legion ‘A’ level from a ‘B’ level travelling tournament team this season, which puts them in ‘A’ division conference schedule with other Montana/Alberta teams in the same circuit.

Better competition was a key factor of moving up a level.

“We’ve had really strong teams the last two years and we just weren’t getting the competition that we feel the kids deserve to play against,” said Sam Hilgersom, a Lakers coach.

“It was brought by the board and the (Lethbridge)  Miners coaches thought it was a great idea to implement us as the ninth team in the ‘A’ conference.”

The Lakers will have busy summer as far as scheduling goes.

“It’s a way busier schedule this year,” said Hilgersom.

“We’re playing 50 games, so just the mindset that every game matters a little bit more.”

The Lakers have  one player who has ‘A’ ball experience and  a roster mostly comprised of 16 and 17 year olds, which is younger for the league.

“We understand the jump,” said Hilgersom, when talking about preparation.

“It’s a lot of games and honestly it’s a grind of a summer. So just motivating them to keep going even when things get tough and just battling through the tough days,”

The success will go through their pitching.

“We’re really happy with our pitching staff,” said Hilgersom.

“We have a lot of … impact arms .”

The Lakers will be a small ball team at the plate.

“We’re gonna have to steal bases, we’re gonna have to lay down bunts (and) just playing technically sound baseball is gonna be the key to  a lot of wins for us,” said Hilgersom.

Team leadership will go through the returning players.

“They understand what kind of  brand (of) baseball we wanna play,” said Hilgersom.

There are  Lethbridge Longhorns High School Baseball Academy players on the Lakers that will be called upon to step up.

“They understand what it takes to play high level baseball and we’re looking for guys like that to be leaders,” said Hilgersom.

The Lakers have  two tournaments and a couple conference games under their belt so far this season.

“The kids have really bought into this whole situational baseball, (and) understanding  when it’s time to lay down a bunt (and) when it’s time to take the  extra base,” said Hilgersom.

The Lakers are in the same league as the  Miners.