Photo Courtesy North Dakota American Legion Baseball
Eli Kappes of Wahpeton Post 20 has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Class ‘A’ North Dakota American Legion Baseball Scholarship.
Kappes graduated from Wahpeton High School and plays designated hitter for Post 20. His father, Chris, is the program’s head coach, and his brother, Caden, is a past winner of the legion baseball scholarship.
Kappes held a 3.32 GPA while playing football, basketball and baseball. He was a captain of the baseball team.
Some of his other accomplishments include Wahpeton High School Homecoming Court, 2025 Poetry Out Loud winner and 2024 True Grit Award winner for Post 20.
Kappes takes great pride in his Native American heritage, mentoring students at Circle of Nations in Wahpeton. He also serves as an after school/weekend tutor at the school.
The servant leader plans to major in Criminal Justice at North Dakota State College of Science and play baseball while pursuing a career as a peace officer or game warden.
Kappes’ scholarship news comes during the 100th year of American Legion Baseball. He has the opportunity to play baseball again in 2026 as a super senior for Post 20.
The right-hander hitter has become known for his tenacious plate appearances. This summer, Kappes batted .250 with a .419 on-base percentage. He was hit-by-pitch a team-high 13 times and drove in nine runs.
