Ben Wheatley serves as versatile senior leader for North Linn baseball

TROY MILLS — Ben Wheatley has followed in the footsteps of North Linn athletes he grew up admiring.

Cut in a similar mold as some of those former Lynx athletes, the senior has been involved year-round with hardly an offseason and contributed to baseball, football, basketball and track teams.

“We’ve had a lot of guys come through and did four sports,” said Wheatley, mentioning past North Linn standouts Jake and Austin Hilmer and Ryan Miller. “I thought they were great at pretty much everything they did. I’ve always wanted to be involved in everything. I really can’t imagine myself not having a season without a sport. I’ve never experienced it. It’s going to be different next year. It’s going to be an adjustment.”

Wheatley is off to a strong start in his senior campaign, ranking among batting and pitching leaders for Class 1A No. 3 North Linn. He earned the victory in the opener and tallied three hits, three RBIs and four runs total in a 15-4 and 13-0 in five innings doubleheader sweep over Midland Tuesday at home.

“He is what North Linn loves,” Lynx Coach Travis Griffith said. “He’s a four-sport athlete for four years. He’s involved in everything.”

Griffith has witnessed maturation this school year. He said Wheatley has come a long way, transitioning from role player to figurehead for each team.

“He’s been a huge leader for us and putting it on himself to help the younger kids out,” Griffith said. “He loves the game of baseball. He understands it really well. He’s played outstanding this season for us.”

Wheatley said he shares the role with seniors Cael Bridgewater, Jarin Peyton and Corbin Woods. With seven eighth-graders on the roster, there are many lessons to teach them.

“We’re still getting used to that,” Wheatley said. “We have to step into that role and teach them for next year when we’re gone. One of them is my brother, so I take pride in helping them out even more.”

Wheatley’s younger brother, Braden, has been a courtesy runner for the Lynx. It has been special to share his final season as the first with his sibling.

“We’ve never done this since we’re five years apart in grades,” Wheatley said. “I would have been nervous but the way he’s come in and been able to run confidently is big for us.”

Wheatley went 1-for-3 with a walk, two RBIs, two runs and two stolen bases in Game 1 Tuesday. He also pitched four innings, striking out six for his first victory of the season. In the nightcap, he batted 2-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and two more steals.

Wheatley ranks second on the team with 12 hits and a .480 batting average and is tied for second with eight runs. He leads the team with eight stolen bases.

Griffith said Wheatley’s versatility is an asset. Wheatley played first base through youth baseball and moved to the outfield to enter the lineup as a freshman. He has evolved into an important cog that Griffith can plug in anywhere, playing outfield, pitcher and all infield positions this season.

“The kid is a utility,” Griffith said. “He’ll play everything. He doesn’t catch but he is our guy that whoever pitches, he takes their position, which is nice that you’re not moving three people. He just goes to play that position and nobody else has to move.”

Solid fundamentals and an innate feel for the game allow Wheatley to be flexible in the field. He has a selfless and team-first attitude. It has also added more excitement to the early season.

“A big reason I enjoy this year more than last year,” Wheatley said. “I get to move around the field more. It’s been a different experience and I’ve been having fun so far.”

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