Mike Piechnik Accepted to International Softball Federation Hall of Fame

(Cartagena, Colombia) Softball Canada is pleased to announce that Mike Piechnik (Victoria, BC) – who was inducted to the Softball Canada Hall of Fame as an Athlete in 2012 – has been accepted into the International Softball Federation (ISF) Hall of Fame. The ISF Hall of Fame recognizes people who have contributed to the sport of softball on the international stage. The vote took place at the ISF Congress which took place in Cartagena, Colombia this past week. The actual induction ceremony will take place in Canada at a later date.

Mike Piechnik enjoyed a distinguished international career. Starting out as an outfielder with a strong arm and bat, he was amazed by the pitchers on his team and started to practice by pitching to his older brother Andy at home. His dedication to fitness and his strong work ethic quickly shaped his softball career as one of the top left-handed pitchers in the game as he won multiple provincial Championships and would go on to win four Canadian Championships and represent the Canadian Men’s National Team.

After playing Senior ball in Victoria in the early 1980’s, Mike spent some time playing in New Zealand and in the United States before returning to Victoria in 1990. He went on to win four Canadian Championship gold medals (1991, 1992, 1997 and 2001) and earned numerous awards, including Top Pitcher (1990, 1993, 1995 and 1998), Most Valuable Player – Qualifying Round (1993), and Top Player – Championship Round (1992 and 2001). One of his major accomplishments was pitching back-to-back perfect games and pitching six games in two days to win gold at the 1993 Canadian Championship.

At the International level, Mike had the honour of being a member of the Men’s National Team program from 1987 to 1999, winning two Pan American Games gold medals (1995 in Argentina and 1999 in Winnipeg), and played in two ISF World Championships, winning gold in 1992 (Manila, Philippines) and silver in 1996 (Midland, Michigan). He also played in three North American Challenge Cups, winning Gold in 1991 and Silver in 1992 and 1993, and was Most Valuable Pitcher and Most Valuable Player at the event in 1992.

Softball Canada would like to congratulate Mike Piechnik on his induction into the prestigious ISF Hall of Fame.