Mike Glasser, Jr.
A lifelong resident of Ashland, Mike started his involvement in athletics participating in baseball. In 1964, the Garber team won the American Little League titles, beating Fenton in the championship game 2-1. Mike was the winning pitcher in that game. He also ended the year with an 8-2 pitching record, best in the league. He was chosen to play for the Little League All-star team. In 1966, the Malleable team won the Pony League Championship, besting Stahls Hardware in the championship game by a score of 8-4. Mike was the winning pitcher, hurling 15 strikeouts. He ended the year with a 7-1 pitching record, which included throwing two one-hitters. He was selected to play for the Pony League All-star team. The next two years found Mike playing for the Deever & Moore Colt League team. The team won the Colt League championship both years. The second year was an especially goof one as the team finished with a 15-1 record. Mike had his finest year as a pitcher with a perfect 9-0 record, which included throwing two no-hitters and one one-hitter. He was selected to the All-star team both years. He finished his baseball “career” playing two years of American Legion and one year of semi-pro baseball. In 1970, the American Legion team captured the Northern Ohio Legion League Championship.
Baseball was, however, not the only sport that Mike competed in. In junior high school and high school he was also involved in football, basketball, and track.
For the eighth grade football team he was a starting halfback on both offense and defense and also returned punts and kickoffs. The team had a very successful season ending the year with a 6-0 record. The ninth grade football team was also successful going 6-1 overall and winning the Tri-County League Championship with a perfect 4-0 mark. Mike was a starting guard on the eighth and ninth grade basketball teams. The team won the Madison junior high tournament both years. While running for the ninth grade track team, Mike was involved in two school records, the 880-yard relay and the Mile relay. In addition to running ninth grade track, he also went out for the baseball team. The team was successful posting a 7-1 record for the year with Mike posting a perfect 4-0 pitching record.
A National Honor Society Member at Ashland High School, Mike received eight varsity letters in three different sports; three in football; two in basketball; and three in track. Mike was picked as the Best Offensive Back for the football team his senior year. He finished the year as the top ground gainer with 663 yards in 109 carries for a fine 6.1 yards per carry average. He was also the leading scorer on the team with six touchdowns. In basketball, Mike was a member of the teams that won the Cardinal Conference his junior and senior year. In track, Mike was part of two record setting relays his senior year. The 880-relay team not only set a school record but a conference record as well. He was also a member of the team that set the school record in the Medley Relay. Because of his accomplishments his senior year, he was selected as the 1970 varsity “Athlete of the Year” at Ashland High School.
After high school, Mike attended Marietta College where he graduated with a BA degree in sociology in 1975. He lettered three years in football, with his best year being his senior year. Playing halfback for Marietta College Pioneers, Mike ended the season with 865 yards gained in 151 carries for a 5.7 yards per carry average. He was selected as the team’s Most Efficient Offensive Back and MVP. In addition to the team honors, he was named First Team All Ohio Athlete Conference (OAC) on offense. He was twice named OAC Player of the week and tied for first in the OAC in points scored with 12 touchdowns (72 points) scored. As a result of his athletic prowess and scholastic achievements at Marietta College, he was selected to be placed in the 1975 edition of “Outstanding College Athletes of America.”
Starting in 1972, Mike embarked on yet another “career” in sports, which was playing major fastpitch softball in Ashland. From 1972 to 1990, Mike played for four different teams: Jackman Pontiac (1972-1978); Myers Pumps (1974-1978); Faultless Rubber (1979-1882, 1986); Ashland ESS Merchants (183-1985, 1987-1990). Faultless Rubber and the Ashland Merchants traveled the United States and Canada to play the top fastpitch teams.
Mike was regarded by many as one of the finest center fielders in the state. Because of his speed and quickness, he was often able to catch balls that appeared to be hits. He also possessed a very fine and accurate throwing arm, having thrown out many players trying to advance an extra base. He was also dependable at the plate, consistently batting over .300 every season.
During his 19-year career, he was awarded many individual honors which included being selected to the all tournament team 1976 Ann Arbor Tournament, selected to the all tournament team 1983 Rick Fugate Memorial Tournament, five times picked as the MVP of a tournament, five times named to the Ohio AA Men’s ASA All-State Team, three times named to the Ohio AA Men’s ISC All-State Team, two times named to the Ohio AA Men’s ASA All Regional Team, named to the first team in the ASA Men’s National Fastpitch Tournament in 1984, named to the Third Team in the ASA Men’s National Fastpitch Tournament 1987.
Some of the accomplishments of the teams Mike played for are seven ASA State Championships: Myers, 1975; Faultless, 19880, 1981; ESS, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990; two ASA State Runner-Up, Myers 1976; ESS 1984; four ISC State Champions: Faultless, 1981, 1982, 1986; ESS, 1983; two ASA Regional Champs: ESS, 1984, 1985; Runner-Up in the 1981 ASA Men’s National Tournament.
Some other noted accomplishments in Mike’s softball career include recording 10 straight hits over a four game stretch, which included a perfect 7 for 7 in a double-header against State Runner-Up Marysville in 1977. The seven hits included two home runs, three triples, one double and a single for a whopping 20 total bases; played in nine consecutive ASA National Tournaments (1981-89), and played in nine consecutive ISC World Tournaments (1881-1989).
He finished his career with a lifetime batting average in ASA National Tournament play of .333 (35 hits in 105 at bats). On May 31, 1997, mike was inducted into the Ohio Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame.
Mike and his wife, Pam, have two children: Amanda and Megan. They reside in Ashland where Mike is employed at Abbott Laboratories.
Nominator: Norm Fierbaugh
