Tom Henke had the kind of season this spring that many baseball players dream about but never achieve.
The former catcher for the Lindbergh High baseball team was on fire throughout the 2007 season with a .426 batting average. Henke also led the Flyers with 29 hits and 22 runs batted in.
Henke believes that his success at Lindbergh this year was the fact that he came into the season fired up and ready to play.
“All I can say is that I was well rested before the high school season,” Henke told the Call. “I was geared up and ready to play. I also think that I became more patient at the plate and that really helped me out a lot. I tended to concentrate more this year when there were men on base.”
Now the starting catcher for the Crestwood American Legion baseball team, Henke has continued his solid play at and behind the plate, which has led to a scholarship to play baseball at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.
Crestwood head coach Mason Horne also is the head coach at Forest Park, which should make for a smooth transition from the American Legion baseball ranks to the collegiate scene.
Horne quickly realized that Henke’s style of play would immediately fit into the Highlander’s philosophy.
“Catchers are always wanted,” Horne said. “He’s a big and strong kid that’s a prototypical junior college player. He needs some work, but comes to the park to play hard every day, and that’s what I want from my players.”
Horne also believes that Henke’s aggressive approach at the plate is the primary reason for the catcher’s success this season.
“I think that he’s getting a little more aggressive at the plate,” Horne said. “I think that at times, he was such a patient hitter that he was always hitting out of an 0-1 or 0-2 hole.”
Henke realizes that his opportunity at Forest Park is a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
One of his goals is to some day play for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.
“Before Forest Park, I had no idea where I was going,” Henke said. “If I wasn’t going to be asked to play somewhere, I would have hung up my cleats.
“I’d love to play ball at Oklahoma,” he added. “I’ve got to work as hard as I can when I’m out there. I’ve got nothing to lose, so I might as well go all out.”
