Mike Keel
Over the decades, there have been several areas of Bedford County that would fall into the category of “baseball bonanzas”. Certainly, the little railroad town of Hyndman has turned out its share of outstanding baseball players down through the years, and Hyndman’s 2012 Hall of Fame inductee is one of the best to play the game.
Mike Keel graduated from Hyndman High School where he was a multiple Teener League and high school baseball all-star, and the Hornet standout continued his stellar career in one of the finest junior college baseball programs in the country at Allegany Community College, now Allegany College of Maryland, in Cumberland.
Keel was sought after not only for his pitching talent, but the husky
southpaw was also recruited for his hitting and fielding abilities as well. His speed and rifle arm had many scouts looking at him as a top outfield prospect, but Keel was so impressive from the mound, that A.C.C. coach Steve Bazarnic was ready to make Keel his ace in 1976.
Allegany Community College won the JUCO division championships in 1976 and 1977, and Bazarnic's big left-hander played a huge role in the Trojans’ incredible success, both on the mound and at the plate. A.C.C. won the Region XX championship in 1977 and was ranked 13th in the nation that year.
In both 1976 and 1977, Keel was voted A.C.C.'s Outstanding Pitcher and was invited to the Cincinnati Reds' tryout camp at the end of his first season. In 1977, he was voted First Team All-JUCO; First Team All-Region XX, and First Team on the WORTH's All-District Team, which is one level below All-American status.
Keel finished his college career with a record of 16-3 with two saves and an ERA of 2.69 in 29 appearances.
Keel continued playing baseball in the Pen-Mar League for the next 18 years and was named MVP four times while winning the batting title five times. He led the league in doubles in 1979, 1980, and 1985, and he led the league in strikeouts three times. He threw two no-hitters, and Keel was a perennial all-star for many years.
Baseball fans still talk about Keel's amazing stats in a weekend tournament as the Hyndman Merchants played Keyser, a team with a tough line-up of hitters. The game on Saturday lasted 19 innings and Keel pitched all 19 for Hyndman, garnering 18 strikeouts along the way. He scored the go-ahead run to break the 2-2 tie in the top of the 19th inning in a 4-2 Hyndman victory. On Sunday, he came in as a relief pitcher in the second inning and pitched the next six innings for a no-decision. A 25-inning marathon in two days is quite a feat in any league.
Local softball players and fans also know plenty about Keel because he excelled for many years as one of the most feared and respected hitters and fielders in the sandlot leagues in the area.
For all of his personal achievements on the baseball and softball diamonds, Keel gained even greater satisfaction in coaching Hyndman’s aspiring young ballplayers in Little League, the Hot Stove League, junior high, and varsity Hyndman Hornet baseball programs through the 1990s and present decades.
Keel always felt the most rewarding part of his baseball career was in teaching and instructing youngsters the fundamentals of the game he loves so much.
He still resides in his hometown of Hyndman with Robin, his wife of 34 years. They are the proud grandparents of Daisy and Lily, the daughters of their son Justin and his wife Kesha.
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Over the decades, there have been several areas of Bedford County that would fall into the category of “baseball bonanzas”. Certainly, the little railroad town of Hyndman has turned out its share of outstanding baseball players down through the years, and Hyndman’s 2012 Hall of Fame inductee is one of the best to play the game.
Mike Keel graduated from Hyndman High School where he was a multiple Teener League and high school baseball all-star, and the Hornet standout continued his stellar career in one of the finest junior college baseball programs in the country at Allegany Community College, now Allegany College of Maryland, in Cumberland.
Keel was sought after not only for his pitching talent, but the husky
southpaw was also recruited for his hitting and fielding abilities as well. His speed and rifle arm had many scouts looking at him as a top outfield prospect, but Keel was so impressive from the mound, that A.C.C. coach Steve Bazarnic was ready to make Keel his ace in 1976.
Allegany Community College won the JUCO division championships in 1976 and 1977, and Bazarnic's big left-hander played a huge role in the Trojans’ incredible success, both on the mound and at the plate. A.C.C. won the Region XX championship in 1977 and was ranked 13th in the nation that year.
In both 1976 and 1977, Keel was voted A.C.C.'s Outstanding Pitcher and was invited to the Cincinnati Reds' tryout camp at the end of his first season. In 1977, he was voted First Team All-JUCO; First Team All-Region XX, and First Team on the WORTH's All-District Team, which is one level below All-American status.
Keel finished his college career with a record of 16-3 with two saves and an ERA of 2.69 in 29 appearances.
Keel continued playing baseball in the Pen-Mar League for the next 18 years and was named MVP four times while winning the batting title five times. He led the league in doubles in 1979, 1980, and 1985, and he led the league in strikeouts three times. He threw two no-hitters, and Keel was a perennial all-star for many years.
Baseball fans still talk about Keel's amazing stats in a weekend tournament as the Hyndman Merchants played Keyser, a team with a tough line-up of hitters. The game on Saturday lasted 19 innings and Keel pitched all 19 for Hyndman, garnering 18 strikeouts along the way. He scored the go-ahead run to break the 2-2 tie in the top of the 19th inning in a 4-2 Hyndman victory. On Sunday, he came in as a relief pitcher in the second inning and pitched the next six innings for a no-decision. A 25-inning marathon in two days is quite a feat in any league.
Local softball players and fans also know plenty about Keel because he excelled for many years as one of the most feared and respected hitters and fielders in the sandlot leagues in the area.
For all of his personal achievements on the baseball and softball diamonds, Keel gained even greater satisfaction in coaching Hyndman’s aspiring young ballplayers in Little League, the Hot Stove League, junior high, and varsity Hyndman Hornet baseball programs through the 1990s and present decades.
Keel always felt the most rewarding part of his baseball career was in teaching and instructing youngsters the fundamentals of the game he loves so much.
He still resides in his hometown of Hyndman with Robin, his wife of 34 years. They are the proud grandparents of Daisy and Lily, the daughters of their son Justin and his wife Kesha.
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Class of 2012
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania