HEAVENER’S KASON FREE
By Buck Ringgold
One source of pride for Heavener baseball player Kason Free as a freshman was he had a higher batting average.
“All in all, I did well,” Free said. “I was happy to improve my batting average from the year prior.”
Now, as he gets set for his sophomore season with the Wolves, Free believes that more good things are in store.
“Individually, I want to continue improving my batting average and decision making,” Free said. “With my team, I hope we improve on communication and just working more as a unit together.”
It wasn’t all joy for Free his freshman season, however. He missed several games due to an injury.
Needless to say, another objective that Free has entering the 2026 campaign is to remain free, no pun intended, from injuries as he continues to build on his promising freshman campaign.
“I’m excited for this year because I’m not going into it with an injury like last season,” Free said. “I’m fully healed and I’ve had months of training to get ready for this season.”
Free, who is the Wolves’ primary center fielder, added he is able to utilize his versatility anywhere on the diamond.
“I’ll play anywhere they need me,” Free said.
“I think my strengths are my speed and my athleticism, and my ability to adapt to new positions.”
That includes being able to pitch, as Free throws left-handed.
But regardless of whether he pitches, plays center field or anywhere else on the diamond, Free is just happy to keep playing the sport that he fell in love with from an early age.
“It’s no secret that I love baseball,” Free said. “I’ve been playing since T-ball and last summer tried out and became a part of American Legion ball.”
That was with the Junior Sportsman team based in nearby Fort Smith, Arkansas. On that team last summer, Free batted .286 while stealing nine bases.
“I hope to get the opportunity to play this summer as well,” he said. “It is helping become a more rounded player.”
And naturally, though he still has three more seasons of high school ball left, Free – who also plays football and basketball at Heavener – is dreaming of the chance to continue playing at the next level, and not necessarily baseball.
“I’m not set on plans after high school, but I know I want to take my career further (with) one of my athletics,” Free said. “My academics are good (Free possesses a 4.0 grade-point average) and I try to stay on top of them for the most part.”
Now, Free enters his sophomore season with the Wolves wanting to continue to enhance his stats while seeking to refine his game.
“I want to go into the season with no hesitation and learn to trust myself,” he said.
