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Mike Fahle had an impressive debut with the Bowling Green State University
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Ohio Monarchs Blue catcher Michael Fahle
(Woodmore/Bowling Green) in a game against
Toledo Amateur Baseball Federation rival Ohio
Monarchs Gold at Fifth Third Field. (Press photo
by Scott Grau) |
baseball team this spring.
The freshman catcher, a 2009 Woodmore graduate, was sent to the plate for his first collegiate at-bat in the bottom of the ninth inning of an April 10 game against visiting Ball State.
“We were getting beat up pretty good that day,” Fahle recalled. “My coach put me in to pinch hit and get an opportunity.”
Fahle made the most of that opportunity by smashing a home run to the deepest part of BG's Warren Steller Field, resulting in a grand slam in what ended up as a 32-10 Falcons loss. After that loss, however, BG went on to win 13 of its next 14 games en route to finishing with a 32-23-1 record.
“I think it brought up the team's morale,” Fahle said of his grand slam. “I think it sparked our team.”
The 6-0, 200-pound Fahle hopes to have the same impact on Aug. 5-8 for the Ohio Monarchs Blue team, which will compete in the NABF College World Series in Toledo. Fahle plays catcher and left field for the Blue, which reached the World Series semifinals in 2008.
BG baseball assistant coach Rick Blanc helped hook Fahle up with the Monarchs this summer despite the 19-year-old's limited playing time with the Falcons last season. Fahle only had one other plate appearance – he singled - for the Falcons after hitting his home run.
“I was used mostly as a bullpen catcher,” said Fahle, who is majoring in exercise science. “At the start of the year we had four catchers and one got dismissed from the team. There were two other catchers in front of me, and they want someone with experience who's been in the program for a few years. The catcher is supposed to be a leader on the ball field.”
In addition to playing for the Monarchs for the first time this summer, Fahle is also working out with former Woodmore teammate and current BGSU senior pitcher Charles Wooten.
“I've been working out with him all summer at Woodmore and at his house,” Fahle said. “I've been throwing a lot and working out. I feel I have a chance for more playing time next year.”
In 32 games with the Monarchs, Fahle is hitting .243 with five doubles, 13 runs and 13 RBI. He also has eight walks and is 7-for-8 in stolen bases.
“For primarily being a catcher, he is solid in the outfield,” Monarchs manager Tim Matthews said. “He's a stocky, muscular kid. He's got the Popeye forearms. He's muscled some line drives. The diamonds we play on are 325 feet and he's hit some line drives 320 feet off the fence. He started playing with us right after our season started and it took a little adjustment with using the wood bat.
“He's come on really well lately. Statistically, it doesn't look that great for him but he's hitting the ball very hard. It's a little deceiving. And for a catcher, he runs really well.”
Matthews added that Fahle is “very, very good” behind the plate.
“He's good at blocking the ball and he has a very good arm,” Matthews said. “Typically, I let the catchers call the game and he calls a really good game. He's a smart kid. He understands the game of baseball.”
Fahle admitted that it took some time to get used to using a wood bat. College teams use aluminum bats.
“At the beginning of the summer I was struggling at the plate,” he said. “Now I am finally hitting the ball pretty solid. I got the hang of using the wooden bats and I kind of like it, actually. It's more like the game should be played, with wooden bats. They make you a better hitter.”
Fahle added that he's looking forward to playing in his first NABF World Series
“I'm excited about it,” he said. “I don't really know what it's going to be like. I'm just going to show up and be ready to play.”
Matthews said the Blue team, which competes in the Tri-State League and the Toledo Amateur Baseball Federation, is as good as any team that has qualified for the World Series.
“We've had our moments this season where we're unbeatable,” he said. “The talent is there, it's just a matter of putting it together at the right time. We have a great group of kids because they never say die. This is the first team I've had (in four years) where I can honestly say the game is never over until the last out.”
Pic-Fahle1-3
Ohio Monarchs Blue catcher Michael Fahle (Woodmore/Bowling Green) in a game against Toledo Amateur Baseball Federation rival Ohio Monarchs Gold at Fifth Third Field. (Press photo by Scott Grau)
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