It was during the summers of 1963 to 1966, that Mike Gomia, commander of American Legion Post 218 in Middletown, Ohio, played American Legion Baseball.
Mike reminisced, “What I learned from my experience playing Legion Baseball was hard work, commitment and a sense of achievement,” which have provided success along his life’s journey. “The important thing about playing American Legion Baseball was the exposure I received by traveling all over the state. I wanted to be a catcher on a Major League Baseball team. Playing Legion ball gave me many more opportunities to do tryouts and play in front of Major League scouts than if I had only played high school baseball. Several Major League teams would send out scouts to many of our games. Legion Baseball gave me the opportunity to play organized ball in the summers and then as a veteran a few years later.”
After graduating from high school in 1966, Mike played his last year of Legion Baseball. Because of his American Legion play, in February 1967, he met his goal; he was signed as a catcher by the Cincinnati Reds organization! He reported to Tampa, Fla., for spring training tryouts. He played with Johnny Bench and became his backup. Then Bench was assigned to Buffalo’s farm team and Mike to Tampa’s.
After being cut from the roster in May because the Reds had enough catchers, Mike played softball for 77 Cab, a semi-pro team in Middletown.
The next January, Mike was drafted into the Army, served a year in Vietnam, and when discharged continued to find success and satisfaction playing softball and baseball over the next two decades. His Armco Triangles team became National Industrial Champions two years in a row. The Ashland (Ohio) Faultless Rubber fast-pitch team qualified for the Nationals Open League almost every year Mike was part of their team.
Not only did Mike play American Legion ball in his teens, but he played a year for Post 218’s veteran team after leaving his Army service and joining the Legion. Mike also coached the Middletown High School girls’ softball team for many years. He was inducted into the Butler County Hall of Fame. In 2016 Mike became commander of the post that supported his teams in the '60s.
Mike is proud that his post continues to impact young athletes by supporting Middie Way Baseball & Softball for boys and girls 5-18, in Middletown.