Michael Broadway
The information contained on this page was approved by Michael's family.
It's sole purpose is to provide updates for those who are interested in Michael's baseball career.
We wish you luck, Michael, and hope you have great success, and May God continue to be with you.
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The Long Hard Road to the Bigs
Former Pope County pitcher Michael Broadway is at the beginning of a journey that many athletes never get to experience.
The 6-foot-5 right-handed hurler spent the summer playing for the Danville (Va.) Braves in short-season Class A minor league baseball. Broadway was the Atlanta Braves fourth round selection in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.
It's just a starting point for potential major leaguers, but current Braves' superstar Andruw Hones played for Danville in 1994. The St. Louis Cardinals Adam Wainwright pitched for the club in 2000. Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox roamed the outfield in 1993.
Broadway finished 4-0 with a 3.25 ERA for the Appalachian League champs - Danville finished 40-27. His numbers were more impressive prior to his final appearance. He gave up seven runs in two innings in his last game of the season.
He was clocked consistently at 90-92 mph throughout the season and topped out around 94.
"I started out pitching real good," Broadway said. "I had a good ERA until my last outing. I was real pleased for a first season."
He pitched in nine games and started five while piggy-backing with teammates. The term basically means a pitcher starts one week and relieves the next.
"Instead of five starters, we had nine guys," Broadway said. " The first week I would start and go five innings. The guy that piggy-backs me would throw two innings and so on."
Broadway's short season began in June but ended in early August because of a strained ligament in his elbow.
"It kind of gradually came on," Broadway said referring to the injury. " The game before it happened I could tell it was tight with some pain. My curveball was hurting pretty badly."
Broadway is currently staying at the Braves spring training complex in Orlando, Fla. He said the injury is completely healed.
Frequent travel and moving from Golconda to the south has been an adjustment for Broadway. He's handling everything himself for the first time in his life.
"It's different just living on the road and being on your own right out of high school," Broadway said. "Coming fro living at home and now you're providing for yourself."
Most baseball fans think of minor league players enduring extended bus trips, but the Appalachian League is geographically compact.
"We didn't even take many long bus trips," Broadway said. "We had a few five-hour trips. At the end of a series we'd get done at 10:30 p.m. and go home immediately."
Since graduating high school in 2005, Broadway played rookie ball last fall and the recently finished short-season Class A term.
"I'm surprised how much I've improved since I graduated high school," Broadway said. "Last year I struggled when I first started pitching to professional hitters. I'm getting a lot more knowledge of how to pitch."
Broadway throws three pitches - a fastball, changeup, and curveball. He'd like to master those pitches before trying to add a fourth.
"I need to improve on my command a lot," Broadway said. "If I can spot my fastball and throw it for a strike any time I want, I'll be a lot better off. My curve will be good one game and the next game it'll be off."
Not falling behind hitters is something Broadway learned over the past year. A professional pitcher is toast if he continually lets the batter grab the upper hand.
"I just take it one pitch at a time," Broadway said. "When a hitter steps into the box I'll tell myself strike one. If you can't get ahead of them you're in trouble."
Broadway said his next destination is Rome, GA., a Braves low Class A affiliate.
by Scott Mees, The Southern Illinoisan
June 2006
photo courtesy Richard T. Davis/Danville (Va.) Register & Bee
February 2006
Michael is leaving on February 25 for Spring Training in Orlando, Florida with the Braves.
All Rookie League levels and professionals of the Braves organization will be meeting there for 5 weeks.
After the players are evaluated, they are then assigned to the next level of Rookie League which could be in Danville, Virginia or he may even skip a level and go to Rome, Georgia.
He will be gone until the end of September either way.
Living the American Dream
Michael Broadway graduated from Pope County High School in May 2005 and within a few weeks he found himself wearing an Atlanta Braves baseball uniform after having been drafted in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball draft.
Broadway left his hometown of Golconda in June and moved to Florida to begin his career in baseball.
During his first season with the Braves in the Gulf Coast League, Broadway concentrated on his pitching.
According to Broadway, he shared a hotel suite with two other players. A typical day began with breakfast at the clubhouse with the other players before taking the field at 8:30 a.m. They began with stretches, then were divided off into smaller groups to concentrate on each players area of expertise.
For Broadway, the next two hours each day were spent improving his pitching.
The group returned to the clubhouse to eat lunch together before their afternoon game.
Broadway stated they played everyday except Sunday from when he arrived in Florida (June 25) to the end of the season on August 28.
During this period the players also received weight training and were required to run.
Broadway appeared regularly in the pitching rotation and ended his first season with and earned run average (ERA) of 5.18.
Broadway was not allowed to bat during any of his games. He stated that pitchers regularly do not bat until they have moved up to AA baseball.
During his winter at home he continued his physical fitness program and took a job at Energy Fitness in Paducah, which enabled him to keep up his training.
He is preparing to leave Golconda to return to Florida for Spring Training. Having missed Spring Training last year, Michael said he is looking forward to taking part this year.
Michael has hopes of being moved up to Advanced Rookie League in either Danville, Virginia or Rome, Georgia following Spring Training.
When asked if he still enjoyed playing baseball, Broadway responded, "There is no better place to be (working) than on a baseball field." (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise February 22, 2006 edition)
Sporting his Atlanta Braves uniform is Michael Broadway at the Florida ball field. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise February 22, 2006 edition)
Ready, Set, Throw
Michael Broadway stands atop the pitching mound ready to fire one of his 90+ mph pitches to an unsuspecting batter. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise February 22, 2006 edition)
September 2005
Cathy, Michael's mother, informed us that he is doing well in Florida and is loving every minute of it, but does admit that it is hard work. He is continually eating right and working out.
As of now he is done with rookie league for this season and is now in instructional League. Michael is working with 3 different coaches on his pitching.
They play scrimmage games in which he has the opportunity to practice what he is being instructed to do. He gets to pitch about every 6th game, but only gets to pitch about 3 innings which is the norm for this level. Remember the pitchers are now an investment to the organization and in no way want to risk injury to the pitchers.
She states Michael misses being home and seeing his family and friends, but wouldn't trade where he is for the world. He feels like he is finally where he was meant to be and is living his childhood dream.
Michael will be home in early November to spend the winter months. He is not to do any sports in which he could injure himself.
His plans are to find a job for the winter and to spend time with family and friends. He still must follow his strict diet and exercise even through the winter break.
July 2005
Broadway Bags First Professional Win
Golconda's Michael Broadway has bagged his first professional baseball victory.
Broadway on Monday pitched three innings of relief and was the pitcher of record as the Gulf Coast League Braves blanked the Tiger's farm club, 6-0.
Broadway allowed just one hit when he came on in the fifth inning. He struck out two, walked no one and lowered his early season earned run average to 6.23.
Broadway is 1-1, having started two previous games. In 8 2/3 innings, he has allowed 10 hits, six earned runs, struck out 7 and walked four.
Broadway signed with Atlanta in June, and was assigned to the GCL club in Kissimmee, Florida. Broadway's team is 14-12 and a half game behind the Yankees in the GCL North Division. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise July 27, 2005 edition)
June 2005
Broadway Signs with Braves
Michael Broadway signed a six year contact Saturday evening and is now a professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.
Broadway was picked in the 4th round of the Major League Baseball draft on June 7 and has been in negotiations with the Braves Organization since that time.
"This is something I have always wanted to do," said Broadway. "I grew up playing baseball and I always knew I wanted to play professional baseball."
After more than an hour of reviewing and signing contracts with Braves scout Terry Tripp Jr. at the rural Golconda home of Glen and Cathy Broadway, Michael autographed Braves hats and baseballs for his family in attendance at the private celebration.
Broadway's high school coach James Lewis commented, "This is not only a great day for Michael but a great day for Pope County. It proves that if you work hard your dreams can come true!"
Lewis added, "There were close to 100 people (area and national scouts, cross checkers, scouting directors, etc.) affiliated with Major League Baseball who came to Golconda and commented on how much they enjoyed meeting people and how friendly the people were."
Broadway's celebration continued into Sunday when a reception sendoff was held at the First Baptist Church education building where he signed autographs and posed for photos. A steady line of well-wishers filed through the building for two hours.
"We have been overwhelmed by Pope County's enthusiasm and support and we are proud to live here," said Cathy Broadway.
Mike flew out of Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah, KY Monday morning and was on his 'Field of Dreams' in Orlando, Florida Tuesday.
Broadway will play for the Braves' Gulf Coast Rookie League in Kissimmee, Florida. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 29, 2005 edition)
After signing a six-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, Michael Broadway a 2005 graduate of Pope County High School, decked out in Braves attire, grabbed a baseball, his favorite glove and headed to the front yard. He left his hometown of Golconda on Monday to follow his dream of playing professional baseball. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 29, 2005 edition)
Terry Tripp, Jr. traveled to Golconda Saturday evening to secure the signature of Michael Broadway as a player for the Atlanta Braves. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 29, 2005 edition)
June 2005
Broadway Signs Autographs Before Leaving for Florida
Family, as well as friends, stopped by Sunday evening to congratulate Michael and wish him well. Pictured with Michael is his uncle, David. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 29, 2005 edition)
Brother Troy Johnston addressed the crowd that assembled Sunday evening and offered words of encouragement and support to Broadway. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 29, 2005 edition)
Sunday evening this long line of area residents stood patiently awaiting their turn to get an autograph and/or photograph with Michael who signed a six-year contract on June 25 with the Atlanta Braves baseball team. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 29, 2005 edition)
June 2005
Broadway Considering Options
Michael Broadway is continuing to weigh his options, either way, baseball is in his future.
Broadway was the 137th draft overall last Tuesday in the Major League Baseball draft and was chosen by the Atlanta Braves.
If Broadway accepts the Braves' offer, according to a conversation with Cathy Broadway, he would be playing Rookie League in Orlando, Florida.
Their season begins June 24 with pretty much continuous play through August. Their home games are played at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
Should Broadway not accept the Braves' offer, he could attend school and play baseball at Chipola (Florida) Junior College.
Cathy Broadway commented, "Michael is young and there is much to be considered." (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 15, 2005 edition)
June 2005
4th Round Draft Pick
Awaiting the call from the catcher, pitcher Michael Broadway stood motionless on the mound. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 8, 2005 edition)
"I've wanted to play Major League Baseball since I was young," said Michael.
And that dream came true Tuesday afternoon.
Tension was high in and around Pope County as many area residents sat glued to their computer watching as the Major League Baseball draft was announced live.
Pope County Pirate pitcher Michael Broadway had been scouted heavily his entire senior year (2004-2005) and was expected to be a Round 5-10 Draft pick.
At 2:50 p.m. the name Michael Broadway, right hand pitcher, Pope County High School, Illinois, was put up by the Atlanta Braves in Round 4.
Broadway's high school baseball coach, James Lewis, commented, "I am proud of Michael. I know he has a good head on his shoulders. I am glad to see him get the recognition he deserves for his talent."
Broadway is the first person ever to be drafted by Major League Baseball from Pope County.
"We are so excited!" said Broadway's mother, Cathy in a telephone conversation following the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
"The contacts that have been made through all the scouts coming to see Broadway will be far reaching for many years," said Chuck Hughes, Pope County Junior High Baseball Coach. "And I wish Michael great success." (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 8, 2005 edition)
Pictured is Michael Broadway, Pope County Pirate pitcher, during the final game of the 2004-2005 season. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 8, 2005 edition)
Broadway Family Awaits Draft Announcement
The family of Michael Broadway gathered Tuesday around their computer watching in anticipation for Michael's name to appear on the Major League Baseball Draft. Pictured are front, sister Victoria, and Michael. Back, mother Cathy, brother Daniel, and father Glen. The Atlanta Braves chose Broadway in Round 4 on Tuesday. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise June 8, 2005 edition)
May 2005
Every ballgame in which Michael was scheduled to pitch his senior year was swarming with individuals who had equipment bags filled with cameras, video cameras, and radar guns. They would watch Michael like a hawk while warming up, while pitching, and even while at bat, all the while writing notes in their little books on his performance and taking pictures or video of him.
It was exciting to watch the stir of interest in this deserving young man. Michael stated that the scouts really started watching him last summer (2004) when he had the opportunity to play in Longbeach, CA. He said that it gets a little nerve wracking seeing all those guns go up if he watches them, but he just focuses on the catcher's mitt and goes out to have fun.
He said he just won't be satisfied playing minor league ball. He wants to be a successful major league pitcher. He knows he has much work ahead of him, but he says, "I just love baseball."
April 2005
Scouts Clock Broadway's Pitches
Michael Broadway took the mound as major league scouts watched. During the 5 innings he pitched, Broadway struck out 11 batters and gave up no runs. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise - April 6, 2005 edition)
23 Major League Baseball scouts were at Golconda to watch Michael Broadway pitch. Of the 23 scouts in attendance, 15 ran radar guns to clock the speed of his pitches. (reprinted with permission from the Herald Enterprise - April 6, 2005 edition)
A Family Tradition?
from front to back: Michael's Grandfather, Clyde Broadway, his Father Glen Broadway, and Michael.
March 2005
Pope County Pirates Baseball
Pictured are members of the Pope County Pirates baseball team. Front Row, left to right, Jerod Hutchinson, David Ohse, Ryan Oxford, Chris Reed, Gage Jackson. Middle from left, Derek Morse, Brett Lewis, R.J. Haney, Lucas Gurley, Aaron Webb. Back row, Levi Boaz, Dustin Owens, Michael Broadway, Blake Butler, and Devon Owens.
Just an every day picture of a High School Baseball Team. Who knew?
