Extra Effort: East Peoria’s Landen Hidden using EMT skills after a fan was hurt at game

EAST PEORIA, ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Landen hidden remembers when he was a timid freshman playing varsity baseball.

Now the East Peoria senior is coming to grips with the idea his high school days are almost over.

“It’s starting to get to me a little bit with graduation coming up,” said Hidden. “It’s making me soak and sit with my team. The guys I grew up playing with all my life.”

Hidden is the starting second baseman for the Raiders, who are a game out of first in the Mid-Illini Conference. He’s hoping he can close out his prep baseball career with a conference title.

Hidden is also enrolled in East Peoria’s Emergency Medical Technician course through Illinois Central College, where he’s also studying fire sciences. He’s on the path to become a firefighter.

This month he graduates from both high school and the EMT course. He plans to work as an EMT this summer.

“It’s kind of shocking in another month I’ll be in an ambulance saving lives,” said Hidden. “I’m thrilled and thankful for everyone at East Peoria for everything they’ve done.”

Hidden will play college ball at ICC next year. By then he will have already started his career as an EMT.

“It’s in his heart and head to help people,” said East Peoria baseball coach Matt Pummer. “He studies real hard, he misses practices and some games because he’s putting his future ahead of his current baseball situation. That’s mature for a kid his age.”

Last week Hidden was pressed into action and his EMT skills came in handy. On April 24, East Peoria beat Washington at Eastside Centre.

After the game he was getting his things out of the dugout when he realized something wasn’t right with a fan, who appeared to be covering his eye.

“I went over to check him out, asked if he was bleeding and he was,” said Hidden.

The fan apparently was hit with ball while trying to play catch after the game. Hidden went back to the dugout to grab his equipment bag.

He keeps a first aid kit with him in his bag and quickly went to work.

“I grabbed the first aid kit and patched him up the best I could,” said Hidden. “It made me feel like I got a head start and that I could actually do this (as a job) this summer.”

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