By: Dan Haugh

Canadian Baseball Network

London Badger infielder Daniel Lichty has accepted a scholarship to attend Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana. The six-year veteran of the Badger baseball program will join the Huntington University Foresters in September. 

 The Foresters are a member of the NAIA and compete in the Crossroads League with nine other schools including Goshen College where former Badgers Preston Carr, Vince Caschera and Ryan Hartig played this past season. Huntington has a population of just fewer than 20,000 people situated about 40 km. southwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Mike Frame who is in his 32nd year as head baseball coach at Huntington University explained how they first heard of Daniel Lichty, “Daniel sent us a video.  He seems to swing the bat equally as well from either side of the plate. He is athletic and appears to have a body that will develop some strength as he gets older. We recruit a lot of middle infielders and then move them around a little.”

Lichty listed some of the reasons that led to his choice of schools, “Huntington University is in a small-town country setting, with the academic courses available in the field of study I have chosen. Their baseball program is strong and I feel I can improve my skills as a Forester.”

Coach Frame commented on how and where he sees Daniel fitting into the Foresters program over the next few years. ”He will be behind some returning players his first couple of years as he continues to develop, and his projection will be impacted by how he develops and adds strength. We have only seen him on video and once in person inside. We think he has some skills that can be developed.”

 Lichty who says the highlight of his Badger career was winning the Baseball Ontario Eliminations and going to Nationals in Quebec in 2016, provided us with his reflections on his Badger career and how his time with the program has helped prepare him for college. “The Badger program has taught me to be on time and to work hard every time I step onto the baseball diamond. Having coaches who have high expectations on and off the field has prepared me for the standard of excellence I will face playing college baseball.”

Like most successful athletes, Lichty has certain people he is grateful to for their support along the way. “My parents supported me on and off the field, encouraging me in time-management, standing behind me whether I was having a successful game or struggling. I’d like to say thank you for the guidance and support my parents have given me.” 

 Daniel also had some final words for his Badger coach. “I would like to thank Coach Lumley for pioneering in the field of competitive baseball with the Badger program in the London area. Having the opportunity to play at this level so close to home is a privilege. I’d like to say... ‘Thank you coach,’ for the countless hours over the years that you have invested in this commitment, and in me as a player.”

Daniel Lichty is another example of how the London Badger program works hard to develop great athletes on the field and great young men off the field through dedication, desire and respect.