2008 – Dakota Tracy, NRHEG

2007 – None selected

2006 – Josh Churchill, NRHEG

2005 – Adam Schrader, USC and Alex Hansen, Glenville-Emmons

2004 – Adam Schrader, USC

2003 – Mike Hullopeter, NRHEG

2002 – Mitch Meier, Glenville-Emmons

2001 – Seth Stadeheim, Glenville-Emmons

2000 – Dominic Schultz, USC

1999 – Jeff Schulz, Albert Lea

1998 – Erik Goodmanson, Albert Lea

1997 – Adam Benson, Albert Lea

1996 – Kyle Goslee, NRHEG

1995 – Brody Richards, NRHEG

1994 – Andy Stockinger, Albert Lea

1993 – Dave Ricke, USC

1992 – Wade Hammer, Albert Lea

There’s not much expression in Logan Kortan’s face when he’s on the baseball diamond because he’s too focused doing things correctly.

It’s hard to tell when things are going well or poorly for Kortan during a game, but he does have his moments where he invokes some emotion. Those moments normally come out of frustration though.

For a player that seems to be able to do it all, Kortan plays with a fire that leads him to get visibly upset even when he gets a bad jump on a stolen base attempt.

“Some people have different ways of playing the game,” Kortan said. “Some people they’re dead serious and all-out all the time. I’m most definitely your all-out, all the time.”

Kortan was the lone captain of the Albert Lea baseball team this season and his example helped set the tone for a young squad that led to the Tigers’ first winning season in 11 years. He was the player that the team could rely upon to deliver in nearly any situation and any role. Kortan is the 2009 Albert Lea Tribune Area Player of the Year.

“He was a good leader,” said Albert Lea head coach Joe Sczublewski. “Obviously we didn’t have a lot of seniors on our team so he was a key figure in terms of leading by example.”

Kortan, an all-conference player this season, enjoyed his most successful season in baseball as the Tigers went 12-11 and nearly knocked off Owatonna, which advanced to the state tournament, twice in the section playoffs. Kortan hit .390 this season in the No. 3 hole for the Tigers and drove in 13 runs. He stole eight bases and second 23 runs.

“I don’t think I’ve had this much playing baseball this past year with the group of kids,” Kortan said. “I think all the times we’ve played and played I think kind of paid off and we had a darn good season I thought.”

His defense was an asset for the Tigers this season and he was used in a variety of roles. Kortan started the season in center field, making way for his younger brother, Carter, at shortstop. In addition to pitching he also filled in at second base. His defensive abilities allowed Sczublewski to move him to where the team needed him.

“I just want to make every play I can,” Kortan said. “If that means diving, and whatnot, I’m going to do it. In the outfield my strategy is that ball’s not going to hit the ground. In the infield that ball’s not going to get past me. That’s kind of my saying.”

He found center field to be to his liking and turned in stellar defensive play throughout the season with diving catches to take away base hits.

“He feels that would be his favorite position at the next level,” Sczublewski said. “He made some spectacular catches for us in center field. He flourished out there.”

He was also an innings-eater on the mound for Albert Lea this season as he threw a team-high 42 innings. His record was just 2-5 and he had an ERA of 4.67.

It was a year of maturation for Kortan as he grew as a more disciplined hitter and accepted a new position on the field with open arms.

“He’s matured over the last couple of his years in terms of the game,” Sczublewski said. “He’s a student of the game. He’s willing to work at different parts of his game that aren’t taught. He’s always willing to work hard and work extra.”

Typically a pull-hitter Kortan worked this season to strengthen his ability to hit to all fields and work the count more effectively.

“I’m kind of aggressive at the plate and I swing at a lot of first pitches,” Kortan said. “I’m kind of tending not to swing at that first pitch and work the count, work the pitcher, get the pitcher’s count up higher and have a good solid at-bat whether it means a 3-2 count or you have 10 pitches in the at-bat and keep fighting pitches off.”

Though the two losses to Owatonna in the playoffs were disappointing, Kortan was pleased with the season as a whole.

“Coming into the season I remember saying I wanted to be competitive and I think we were very competitive this season,” Kortan said.