Benefit for ex-Hersey star Mark Leonhard

Mark Leonhard did a lot to help Hersey athletics in the school’s formative years.

Leonhard was one of the best athletes in school history. He was a standout in football, basketball and baseball before graduating in 1972 and going to Tulsa to play football and baseball.

Some of the people who were close to Leonhard now want to help his family after he died May 25 at age 56 in Indianapolis. The Mark Leonhard Alumni Baseball Game is scheduled for noon on Sunday, August 20 at Alexian Field in Schaumburg to help Leonhard’s family.

“He was ‘Mr. Popularity,’” said retired Hersey baseball and football coach Harvey Foster. “He was always laughing and very gregarious. He was a great guy and (his death) was really a sad thing.”

Foster is part of a group that helped put together the Mark Leonhard alumni game (playball4leon.com). Former players from Hersey, the Arlington Heights American Legion or Tulsa are invited to attend and play.

The cost to play is $50 to help Leonhard’s family. He was survived by his wife Amy and four children — Amber, Charles and Brandon are in college and Morgan is in high school.

Those who play in the game will receive a T-shirt and a visor and a meal ticket for a cookout. Everyone who wants to play is guaranteed at least one at-bat and three innings on the field formerly used by the Schaumburg Flyers.

There will also be a hitting competition and a bags tournament and families are welcome to attend.

Foster called Leonhard “a really super ballplayer” who hurt his shoulder playing football at Tulsa. He went on to play baseball and one of his teammates was Mike Sember, who played in 12 games with the Cubs in 1977-78.

Foster said members of Leonhard’s family are expected to attend the game.