Congratulations to Mike Smith on his pending induction to the Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame tonight at Pates Park.
(Photo by Maddy Flanagan) Can he still get that kind of air? Ask Smitty !
Mike has had more than his share of moments in the sun. One that stands out in my mind that I had a chance to watch, was his performance pitching for the Quaker Riversharks in the NAFA AA World Series in 2003 at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where he single-handedly pitched his team into the championship game. (Photo above) It was Mike Smith in the circle and Smitty in the pen. All week long.
Below is a photo of Mike at last night’s Hall of Fame ceremony, and his fastpitch biography:
Mike’s Fastpitch Bio:
Mike Smith #8
Mike Smith began his softball career as an infielder int he AllentownChurch League for Grace UC Cattheage of fourteen. After four years he advanced to the East Penn Fastpitch League and played five seasons with the Allentown Patriots.
In 1985 he received the call that elevated his softball career.
The call came from Rocky Santilli, coach of the Reading Sunners Major Men’s Fastpitch team.
Playing with the Sunners, Mike traveled across the country including representing the East Coast in the 1986 Olympic Sports Festival in Houston, Texas. In 1989 heplayed on Team USA in the Men’s Softball World Cup which was the last USA team to defeat New Zealand’s team to date. While playing with the Sunners, Mike had the opportunity to play with legendary pitcher Ty Stofflet who inspired his interest in becoming a pitcher.After sharpening his pitching skills during the 80’s and 90’s playing in the East Penn League with Duke’s Pub and Poppa’s Pizza, he got his shot to pitch with the Philadelphia based team, DC Tire at the Men’s Class “A” level. In 1992, Mike played with DC Tire in the 64 team field ASA Tournament in Sacramento, CA. In the tournament, Mike pitched and won three games,and hit the walkoff championship winning home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to assist DC Tire in claiming the National Title. His play earned him First Team All-American Honors, Most Valuable Pitcher, and Most Valuable Player. In1994, DC Tire again claimed the ASA Men’s Class “A” National Title in Salem, OR. Mike contributed with a 4-0 pitching record, including a win in the Championship game and again received First Team All-American Honors.
Throughout the 90’s, while pitching and playing with such teams as Rookie’s Sports Pub and Fullerton Fire Company, his teams won numerous league and playoff championships.
Between 1999 and 2002, Mike played on weekends with the Can-Am Windmillers and All Seasons Patriots. In 2002, All Seasons wonthe NAFA AAA World Series,and Mike was named as a First Team All-World Player. He then joined the Quaker Riversharks in 2003 and that year at the NAFA AAWorld Series, Mike led his team to the championship game by pitching eight games in four days, totaling 56 innings, and tallying 28 consecutive innings on
the final day.Unfortunately the Riversharks came up short in the final game and finished in second place.His effort earned him a place on the First Team All-World Team and he also claimed the Most Valuable Pitcher Award.During the next five years, Mike accomplished additional All-World Honors at both theNAFA World Series and theNSA World Series tournaments. Mike finished his ISC career with the Rise assisting them with back to back top four finishes in the ISC II Tournament of Champions in 2005 and 2006.
In addition to playing on weekend traveling teams, Mike continued to play in theEast Penn League. From 2002 to 2009, Mike played with the Jordan AC and Stooges Pub winning seven league and playoff titles, including last year’s final seasonof the East Penn League.
After turning forty he was recruited by the Matarazzo Seadogs ou tBoston, MA to play at the 40 & Over Nationals. With Matarazzo, Mike won three titles in 2005, 2006, & 2009.
Mike has been married to his wife Jill for fifteen years and his daughter Kourtney is now a junior at Penn State University. Mike plans to make golfing his next passion and he’s hoping to get his handicap into single digits at some point this year.
Stats
World&National Titles: 8 Wins: 425*
All-American&All-WorldHonors: 9 Strikeouts: 4300*
EastPenn LeagueTitles: 17 No- Hitters: 31
PerfectGames: 8
Homeruns: 265*
* approximate