Hall of Fame
Ledbetter graduated from Louisiana College with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 2002.
In a transitional era of Wildcats baseball where the team’s stint in the NAIA ended and their new one began in the NCAA Division III, he was the stopper on the bump, giving his team a chance to win each time out.
His freshman season saw him pick up six of the team’s 16 victories (37.5%), was the only pitcher with a .500 or better record (6-6), was the lone man with an ERA under nine (5.59), pitched nearly 100 frames (93.1) and struck out 80 batters.
As a sophomore, he compiled 78 innings, three wins, and 61 Ks in what was the team’s final at the NAIA level.
Junior year was a turning point for both Ledbetter and the program as Louisiana College Hall of Famer Mike Byrnes’ first season saw the Cats boast its first winning record in many years as well as its first postseason appearance in 14 years as they made an NCCAA Regional. He topped the team with a 6-2 record, 15 appearances/starts, 78.2 innings, 78 strikeouts, and three complete games, averaging a strikeout per inning while limiting opponents to a .241 batting average. The hurler was rewarded with an All-ASC East Honorable Mention spot and an ASC East Pitcher of the Week award on March 25.
2002 was a banner year for the senior and Louisiana College as he led the Wildcats to the NCCAA World Series on the back of a team-best eight wins and two saves. He also was the workhorse for the rotation plus the bullpen, making an equal amount of starts (9) and relief appearances (9), adding up to 72 innings pitched, 60 punchouts, and a pair of complete game efforts. For the second straight season, he was selected to the All-ASC East Honorable Mention Team and won ASC East Pitcher of the Week on the same date as the year prior, March 25.
When all was said and done, Ledbetter finished his career with the program record regarding innings pitched (322.2), wins (23), and strikeouts (279).
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he did a tour in Iraq while still keeping his passion for baseball alive by playing for the Military All-Stars, military members who played exhibitions against various pro clubs.
After returning to civilian life, Ledbetter officially reached his dream of playing professional baseball, making his debut with the American Defenders of the Independent Can-Am League.
In his lone season for the team based out of Nashua, New Hampshire, the veteran saw action in 31 games, primarily in relief, going 2-2 with a 4.21 ERA over 66.1 innings. His strikeout rate never waned despite his years of service, still whiffing 40 foes.
Once he hung up the cleats for good, he returned to Central Louisiana where he has spent the past five years as a Control Room Operator for VAALCO Energy Incorporated.
