Travel Baseball Teams in Montana

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MLB Players from Montana

Montana is at a bit of a disadvantage baseball-wise, and it's not just the weather. It's the lack of high school baseball. Nonetheless, the state has produced 22 major league players in its history. Baseball Almanac lists four active Montana-born players: Kam Mickolio, Rob Johnson, Mason Tobin, and Tyler Graham.

Kam Mickolio

Kam Mickolio was born in Wolf Point in May 1984. One obstacle he faced was the lack of a high school baseball team. Another was physical. He was 5'10 at 15, and considered too short for the high school basketball team, but he ended up 6'9... his sophomore year of college!

Mickolio did have the opportunity to play for the American Legion; his team was the Belgrade Bandits. He was also on a travel team as a teen and got to do some playing in other Western states. His program was Big Sky Baseball, a selective group of teens that plays at invitation-only tournaments The coach notes that a lot of scouts attend the culminating event in Arizona (http://helenair.com/sports/article_e22465ce-037e-56cd-9cc2-e6697229bedc.html)

Mickolio pitched for Eastern Utah. He later pitched for the Wolverines at Utah Valley State University. He was under the coaching of Eric Madsen at both schools.

Mickolio was an 18th round draft pick in 2006 at age 22, selected by the Seattle Mariners. He saw some playing time with the Low A Everett Aqua Sox. After that came the Double A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, Triple A Tacoma Rainiers, Double A Bowie Baysox, and Triple A Norfolk Tides.

He made his major league debut in 2008 as a Baltimore Oriole. He later ended up in Japan by way of Arizona. He plays for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

Rob Johnson

Rob Johnson was born in 1982 in Anaconda. He played Little League in Whitehall (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2009-04-17-1554030405_x.htm).

While at Butte Central Catholic, he played for the Maroons. He was also involved with American Legion baseball. He later played at Saddleback College and at the University of Houston.

Johnson was a 4th round pick in 2004, also selected by the Mariners. He played for the Rookie level Arizona Mariners before the Everett Aqua Sox. Continuing his climb through the minors, he played for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Inland Empire 66ers, and Tacoma Rainiers.

Johnson made his major league debut in September of 2007 at age 25. He has continued to spend some time in the minors. His 2013 season was divided between the Memphis Redbirds and the St. Louis Cardinals (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=rob-johnson). He reportedly gets his 'game plan' watching video.

Growing Montana Baseball Players

Team sports provide an opportunity to build physical fitness, learn how to set and achieve goals, and have fun. For some, that's plenty. Others have sports talent -- and the ambition to go with it.

It can be a little tougher to grow up in a state that doesn't sanction baseball at the high school level. So what do youth from Montana do? They need to find a way to play. In the case of teens who have real talent and drive, they need to find a way to be seen.

American Legion gives a foundation, but it’s not always enough. Mickolio's Big Sky coach has said, "Without high school baseball and without being able to start the Legion season until May, our guys weren't getting looked at (http://helenair.com/sports/article_e22465ce-037e-56cd-9cc2-e6697229bedc.html)".

There’s also something to be said for attitude and passion: the desire to play, the desire to win, the pleasure of being part of a team and propelling that team forward. Johnson noted the importance of passion when he joined the Mariners. "I'm not saying we're the best team talent-wise,” he said, “but when you start throwing passion in there, things can happen (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2009-04-17-1554030405_x.htm).”

Travel Baseball Teams in Montana

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