A Thompson baseball player, Dex Avdem, is recovering after a scary moment in the North Dakota Class B American Legion Baseball Tournament in Park River.
Dex Avdem is a young and promising baseball player from Thompson, North Dakota, graduating in the class of 2029.
A left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, Dex plays both catcher and infield positions.
At just 14, he already participated in multiple Perfect Game events, most notably the 2024 Minnesota Indoor Prospect Gateway, where he received a Perfect Game grade of 6.5.
He currently plays for MN Icemen Semans and attends Thompson High School.
His pop time is 2.31 seconds, which ranks slightly above the class average, indicating promising arm action and potential for improvement.
In terms of raw athleticism, Dex recorded a 60-yard dash time of 8.52 seconds and a 0-yard split of 1.80 seconds.
His max barrel speed (48.7 mph) and impact momentum (17.1) are below class averages, yet his mechanics show efficiency in sequencing, progressing from pelvis to hand in proper order.
Baseball Pitcher Suffered Medical Emergency In State Tournament
Dex Avdem, a Thompson catcher, is in the hospital recovering after a scary moment on August 3, 2025, Sunday’s North Dakota Class B American Legion Baseball Tournament in Park River.
As per the reports, in the sixth inning of the state semifinals, Avdem suffered a medical emergency, prompting medical intervention.
Avdem was taken to First Care Hospital in Park River. He was later transferred to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, where he will be observed overnight.
The 2025 ND Class B State Legion Tournament took to their official Facebook handle on August 4, 2025, and announced that Dex is doing well. They stated,
OUR DAY 3, GAME 3 PLAYER OF THE GAME GOES TO DEX AVDEM! After a VERY scary ordeal, I am INCREDIBLY THANKFUL to share that Dex is doing well and on the mend! His dad has reported that he is in great spirits and his teammates were able to come visit him after he was transported to Fargo for observation! While he was excited to hear he was player of the game, he was most excited to hear his team won! LET’S HEAR IT FOR DEX
2025 ND Class B State Legion Tournament
Close ones and relatives took to the comment section and sent prayers to Dex for a speedy recovery. Brenda McCarthy Ragan, a customer service representative at Farmers Union Insurance, said,
We were ALL together on that field as a TEAM when this happened. Didn’t matter what team you were rooting for or what color you were wearing – we were ONE! . Prayers for Dex!
Brenda McCarthy Ragan
Stephanie Haverland-Kaatz wrote,
What a scary thing to happen. Thank God he is doing well. Praying for a quick recovery!
Stephanie Haverland-Kaatz
Rachel ‘Keller’ Schaefer, who works at Langdon Area Elementary, wrote,
So glad he’s doing good and love seeing that smile! Sending prayers!!
Rachel ‘Keller’ Schaefer
Park River Ambulance Service credited fans with preventing a worse situation from unfolding. His team members did CPR to save Dex’s life.
Kobee Pastorek, from Grafton, North Dakota, posted on Facebook that being CPR certified is so important that it can save someone’s life. He added,
You never think it’ll happen—until it does. Fluke accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why being CPR certified is so important. Just a few hours of training can give you the skills to save a life when every second counts!
Kobee Pastorek
Moreover, the Tournament’s organizer also wrote,
“Thanks to the prompt intervention of some remarkably selfless baseball fans trained in CPR and AED use, one young man will have a truly miraculous story to share,”
2025 ND Class B State Legion Tournament
However, Avdem’s team won the game 2-1 over LaMoure, securing a spot in the state championship on Monday, August 4, 2025.
They will take on the winner between Park River and LaMoure. If Thompson loses the first game, they’ll play a second winner-takes-all game.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- On the football field, he wears jersey #11 and plays both quarterback (QB) and outside linebacker (OLB) for the Thompson Varsity team.
- Though uncommitted, Dex Avdem is tracking as a player to watch in North Dakota and beyond.
- Dex’s father, Ryan Avdem, is an assistant coach for Thompson and was one of the first out to home plate.
