NPC News

When it came time to continue his baseball career at the next level, Hot Springs senior Shawn Lingo knew there was no place like home. Just days after becoming the first men’s baseball signee at National Park College, the senior confidently looks ahead to a bright future with the Nighthawks.

“I was born and raised right here in Hot Springs,” Lingo said. “My stepdad got me started with the game when I was six or seven years old. Starting out, I remember that I couldn’t really throw, hit or do much of anything out there, but I was having fun and I knew that I wanted to get better. After a few years of learning the game, I decided that I could be good at the game if I started working harder. I started working in the batting cage every day, working with people and staying late after practices. I was always the first to arrive and the last to leave.”

Shortly after announcing its baseball program, the versatile Lingo—a standout for Hot Springs World Class High School—quickly grew attention from the Nighthawks.

“Coach Hargrove came to watch one of my games and I played lights-out that day,” Lingo said. “I threw three innings and went two-for-three at the plate. After the game, he told me he wanted me to be the first signee at National Park College. I came to tryouts and I may have tried a little too hard, but they liked what they saw. Coach McArthur got the call with my offer just before one of our games and the rest was history.”

“When National Park College announced the program, I contacted Coach Hargrove and told him to come look at what Shawn was doing for us,” Hot Springs coach Justin McArthur said. “This is the way it always should have been with the first National Park College baseball signee being a Hot Springs kid. I think it’s going to be great for all the Garland County schools because these kids now have an opportunity that they didn’t have before—to continue their education and to play baseball at the college level. Signing Shawn Lingo is a big deal, and, to me, it was just meant to be.”

On April 18, with family and coaches by his side, Lingo achieved his childhood dream, inking his baseball future with his hometown team.

“Signing day was a dream come true for me,” Lingo said. “Every kid growing up playing sports wants to sit down and sign that paper to go to college. For me, it’s more than just baseball. I’m also going to be getting a degree—something I can do when I’m done playing baseball. That’s huge.”

For the Spa City native, the decision to represent the community he calls home was an easy one.

“I already had a scholarship offer and multiple other schools looking at me from the junior college level to Division II,” Lingo said. “Once I heard that National Park College was starting up a baseball program, however, I thought about how cool it would be to help start this up right here at home and look back years later and reflect on our success. I think this program has what it takes to be really good and win a championship someday and I wanted to make sure that I was a part of that.”

Days after becoming a Nighthawk, Lingo was front-and-center at National Park College’s second round of tryouts in search of his next teammates.

“I know a lot of guys out here that I played with growing up, Lingo said. “I’ve been texting them and letting them know that this is going to be something good. What an opportunity it is to come right down the road, start something up and let the community come out and watch college baseball here in Hot Springs. It’s America’s pastime.”

As the leader for the first-year Nighthawks, Lingo is prepared to do whatever it takes to help his team succeed.

“I’m here to do anything they need me to do,” Lingo said. “If they need me to pitch, catch, play outfield, it’s ‘yes sir’. I just want to do what I can to make this team better. We’re going to be a big family and I think that families that come together win championships.”

“Shawn is definitely a college baseball player,” McArthur said. “He has the arm and the bat and he’s going to be confident. He has a big frame and can catch a lot of balls at first base that other kids can reach. He also has great natural instincts as a catcher and can pitch in the mid-80s with a great fastball and curveball.”

Thanks to a partnership with Hot Springs World Class High School, the Nighthawks will play their inaugural season using the Trojans’ facilities, where Lingo will undoubtedly feel right at home.

“Coach Hargrove and Coach Hudnell are first-class guys leading a first-class organization and I’m tickled that they can use our facilities,” McArthur said. “We just put turf down and are working on some additional upgrades. Things are going really well right now and are going to work out well for everyone. This partnership is great for Hot Springs High School, National Park College and the community of Hot Springs. We’re really excited about it.”

For Lingo, it’s just the beginning of the next chapter in his baseball career. However, the senior hopes his story challenges athletes like him to go the extra mile to achieve their dreams.

“Don’t be lazy,” Lingo said. “A lot of guys think they have what it takes to play college baseball already, but there’s always someone right next to you who is working harder than you are. Take the time out of your day to do anything extra to get to the next level. From playing travel ball to extra practices, do everything you can in order to play as long as you can.”