MANY, La. (KALB) - Many High School senior Jonas Hendrickson has been named this week’s ACA Athlete of the Week for his leadership behind the plate as the Tigers advance through the LHSAA state playoffs.
Hendrickson is known for his vocal presence on the field.
“Yeah, he’s not quiet at all. He’ll never be quiet,” said senior second baseman Cole Ocon.
Hendrickson said his position requires constant communication.
“You’ve got to learn to be vocal, which I was blessed to have a big mouth growing up,” Hendrickson said. “So, you’ve got to be vocal, and you’ve got to be able to talk to people. It’s not so much of being a leader; you’ve got to encourage and pick people up. You can see everything that goes on, so you’ve got to be able to direct people in the right direction. Every play, every time, there’s something for the catcher to be said. So, that’s something to learn, and I think I’ve kind of got a hold of that pretty good.”
In the bi-district round, Hendrickson delivered an RBI single that sparked an 11-5 win and pushed Many to the regional round.
“That gave us all the momentum we needed to succeed, and it was just great seeing him being able to do that,” senior Lathan Lee said. “I mean, it was just great for his mindset, his mentality, get out here and be an actions over words kind of guy.”
Ocon said Hendrickson’s contributions extend beyond his voice.
“He’s a big role for us. Obviously, he’s our catcher, so he helps out. He’s a brick wall back there, and his bat always comes in clutch when we need him,” Ocon said.
Hendrickson has battled through multiple injuries to reach his senior season. He tore his labrum during his third football game last year, missing half his junior baseball season. This year, he dislocated his UC joint during football.
“It’s a real learning curve, especially if you’re used to playing and giving it all you got on the field. You’ve got to change and not be able to play,” Hendrickson said. “You know, you’re itching to get out there on the field, but it helps with the aspects of being a leader. You got to be able to pick up your guys and be...you got to be an even better teammate when you’re not on the field than you are when you are on the field.”
Hendrickson also serves as a youth coach and umpire in Sabine Parish.
“I love watching little kids play baseball. I coach my little brother’s team sometimes on the weekends, and I help umpire down here at the local Dixie program,” Hendrickson said. “You go down there, and you talk to the kids and encourage them because they love it, especially when they come and watch you play high school, and you come over there, and you talk to them on the field. It makes their day, and you want to be able to be somebody that these little guys look up to.”
At 11 years old, Hendrickson sang the national anthem before one of his games. He grew up singing in church with his grandfather.
“I sang every day in church. I grew up singing with my grandpa. My grandpa taught me how to sing in church. I was so nervous,” Hendrickson said. “I mean, they come up to me and ask me if I’d be willing to do it. It’s a big deal. So, I don’t do it as much anymore, but I used to every day have the suit and tie on singing. I did it every day.”
Hendrickson signed his National Letter of Intent alongside teammate Payton Hyden to continue his academic and athletic career at Arkansas State University–Three Rivers. He is the fourth catcher in a row from Many to sign to play college baseball.
“It feels really special because, I mean, we ain’t got many more left with each other at Many, and I’m glad he’s getting to go play to the next level,” Hyden said. “We’ve always known each other. It’s good to know somebody who’s going to go to the same school with me. It definitely helped the connection. We’ve been able to play better just because we know each other. We’ve grown up together.”
Hendrickson said the signing reflects the program’s success regardless of school size.
“We have a long line of catchers signing. This is the fourth catcher in a row playing college ball. So, it’s really good, and it shows no matter where you’re from, how big a school you are, how small a school you are, you go and you bust your butt off and you go, and you put the work in every day, it really is going to pay off,” Hendrickson said.
For his outspoken leadership and his continuous support for the Sabine community, Many’s Jonas Hendrickson is this week’s ACA Athlete of the Week!
https://www.kalb.com/2026/04/23/earned-every-inning-manys-jonas-hendrickson/