Baldwin High School pays tribute to athlete

Tuesday’s Baldwin High School baseball and softball games against Paola will be the “Heart Awareness Night in Memory of Wes Leonard” with the money raised in concessions, bracelet and T-shirt sales going toward heart screenings for local athletes.

Leonard, a former Baldwin City student, died suddenly due to an enlarged heart on March 3 after completing a standout basketball game and season in Fennville, Mich. To help prevent this tragedy among other youths, a screening of local athletes at the Athletic Heart Clinic will be May 21 at Baldwin Elementary School Intermediate Center.

All net profits from concession sales Tuesday evening — including an expanded menu of grilled foods — will go to reduce the cost of screenings. BHS also will promote a heart awareness week and other activities, including a balloon launch at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday. The baseball and softball games begin at 4:30 p.m., with the junior varsities up first.

The Athletic Heart Clinic in May is also in honor of former BHS students Krystal Bateson and Alex Bergan.