Play Ball!
Legends celebrate 25 in 2025
BY BRIAN GARDNER
The 25th season of the Lexington Legends began successfully on the 25th of April, 2025. Alan Stein, founder and longtime face of the franchise stated at a recent press conference that the roots of establishing professional baseball in Lexington go as far back as 1984. Stein proudly allowed that other sports —notably hockey, arena football and basketball —have tried to gain a foothold in the Bluegrass. But only the Legends have endured for 25 consecutive seasons. To celebrate this milestone the team promises a fan promotion of some type for virtually every home home. From $2 Tuesdays to Thirsty Thursdays to fireworks after every Friday and Saturday game, Legends Field promises to be rocking this season.
Paul Fletcher, a lifelong baseball man, will take the reins as this year’s manager. When this reporter asked Fletcher how he can cobble together a team in such short fashion, he noted that as a long time “ baseball scout I have the ability to assess talent quickly.” Fletcher used that skill to assemble a team in the 10 days prior to Opening Day. The skipper noted that he enjoys playing an aggressive brand of baseball and wants to “put pressure on the other team” by use of sacrifice bunts and stolen bases. “Fletch,” as he is called, also relayed that Legends Field is a home run friendly park with its cozy dimensions down the foul lines. Look for the Legends to play a brand of small ball coupled with long ball depending on what favorable situations arise.
There is plenty of local flavor to spice up this year’s roster. Catcher Colin Burgess helped Tates Creek High School win the 2019 state championship on the Legends home field. He is glad to be continuing his career back home and looking forward to “spending time with my parents and my dog.” Also looking forward to playing in front of family and friends are UK alums Dustin Beggs and Kole Cottham. Fletcher, their manager, noted that Beggs, the pitcher, is a clubhouse leader. He keeps the team relaxed and the game fun. Cottam is more of a player who leads by example with a strong work ethic and attention to detail.
The Legends will once again play in the Atlantic League, hoping to end the season as champions as they did in 2021. This year the Atlantic begins its 27th season and is seen as the premiere independent professional baseball league. During its existence this group has seen more than 1400 of its players become affiliated with Major League organizations. Among the most notable league alums are Jose Canseco and Hall of Famers Tim Raines and Rickey Henderson. The Atlantic is an official partner league of Major League Baseball and as such serves as a proving ground for many recent MLB rule changes. Innovations that saw their debut in the Atlantic before becoming part of Major League baseball include enlarged bases, 20 second pitch clock, three batter minimum for pitchers and restrictions on infield shifting.
In 2025 this League is again innovative. All baseballs used in games will be emblazoned with a QR code. Fans catching errant foul balls can scan the code for prizes, coupons or other special treats. You can be sure that next year other organizations will make use of this creative way to further engage fans.
For 25 years the Legends have entertained fans and added to the fabric of this community. Donating millions of dollars to local charities and worthy causes, this organization has sustained a deep connection and unwavering support of Central Kentucky. Honoring a quarter of a century of existence, this season promises to be a celebration of persistence and will lay the groundwork for another 25 years. Play Ball!
This article also appears on page 18 of the May 2025 print edition of the Hamburg Journal.
