CLEARWATER TRIBUNE HOME

JUNE 3, 2010

Mike Powell (far left) and some of his former teammates at the Montana American Legion Hall of Fame Awards Banquet April 17 in Billings, Montana.

Mike Powell inducted into Hall of Fame

   Local resident Mike Powell, along with his fellow American Legion teammates, were inducted April 16 into the Montana American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame in Billings, MT.

   In 1979 Mike and his teammates, the Scarlets, lost the first game of the state tournament, then won five games in a row to take the championship and earn the nickname “The Comeback Kids.”

   In one of the five victories, against the Great Falls Chargers, Mike struck out 15 batters,

   In the weeks leading up to the tournament the Scarlets had only healthy players. Everyone else had mononucleosis (mono) or some other virus. During this time, Mike played every position except first and second bases.

   Mike’s coach, short staffed due to all the illness, asked former major leaguer and hometown kid, Dave McNally, to help coach.

   Eventually all the players recovered and returned to play in, and win, the state championship.

   One season later, Mike, a senior, hurled a 7-0 no hitter against Bozeman, MT in a Memorial Day tournament, and struck out 21 batters in a 7-0- victory over Anaconda, MT.

   After graduation Mike received a full ride scholarship to Grand Junction, CO, where he also played baseball. He was the first freshman to ever play in the starting line-up.

   To Mesa, Mike was known as an all-around athlete—he was an all conference football player and an all-state pitcher in Montana. He graduated with a degree in recreation management and is currently employed with State Hospital North.

   Mike devotes endless hours to the local youth baseball leagues, serving as the president and coaching for his son, Chris.

   Mike’s friends and family would like to congratulate him on the outstanding hall of fame award.