Tom HeinkelInfielder – 1991

Tom Heinkel was a versatile athlete. He was a varsity starter in Baseball, basketball and football. As a baseball player he was at his best. Heinkel started in the outfield as a sophomore, moved to shortstop in his junior year, and then, as a senior to third base. In his senior year he hit .493 with an amazing 1.20 slugging percentage, hit a school record 13 home runs, 50 RBIs, also a school record, and scored 38 runs. He was equally effective in the post high school season as a starter for Joe Barth’s Brooklawn Legion team, helping them to the 1985 State Championship.
Tom was selected to the Olympic Conference Team in 1983, 1984 and 1985, All-South Jersey in ’84-’85, All-State in ’85. He was selected by the Camden County Hot Stovers to receive the first Billy Carty Memorial Scholarship in 1985.
Heinkel received a full scholarship for baseball to Villanova University and, after playing the fall schedule, was projected to be a starter as a freshman. However, his unfortunate death in the winter of 1986 ended, what was expected to be, a brilliant career.