No Place Like Home - Hot Springs' Lingo Signs With NPC
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.”
