In 2019, Yough baseball enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns in program history, reaching the WPIAL semifinals. A key cog on that team was Mike Bell, who has since become one of the top players for Waynesburg University. Bell is the latest spotlight athlete for the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

As a freshman in 2017, Bell cracked the varsity roster for the Cougars. That season, Yough went 8-9 overall, including 5-9 in section play, and failed to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

The next season, Yough posted a mark of 6-11, including 6-8 in the section, and again failed to earn a berth to the postseason.

Bell’s junior season was one of the record books for the Cougars, however. Keyed by Bell’s 6-1 record on the mound, Yough went 14-7 overall, including 10-2 in the section. As a result, the Cougars reached the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, and defeated Central Valley and South Park. Yough came up short against Beaver Area in the semifinals, however, and then lost 1-0 to New Castle in the consolation game to conclude the season.

The Cougars appeared poised to make another postseason run in 2020, but the season was cancelled as a result of COVID.

Following his graduation, Bell matriculated to Waynesburg University, joining the Yellow Jackets as an infielder. As a freshman last year, Bell played in all 32 games, including 31 starts, batting .289 with 22 RBIs and 16 runs. Playing a reduced schedule because of COVID, Waynesburg went 12-20, including 9-19 in the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC).

This year, Bell has started in 11 games, posting a .179 average with four RBIs and a team-leading 10 runs scored. The Yellow Jackets are 4-8 overall, and commence PAC action today.

Mike took time from his schedule to field questions about his area of focus during the offseason, his fondest memory at Yough, and which legendary pitcher he’d choose to face.

Q: You played in every game last year and ranked as one of the top hitters on the team. How were you able to find immediate success at the college level?

A: I think my main reason for how well I did my freshman year came from how confident I was in my abilities. I trust myself and know what I am capable of, and let my hard work pay off. I also owe a lot of my success to my father (Glenn Bell) who has pushed me and keeps me motivated to be the best I can.

Q: What was your biggest area of focus throughout the offseason?

A: My main focus this offseason was to get in better shape. I felt a subtle setback at the beginning of the spring semester last year when I ended up getting COVID-19 and ended up being out for a while and had to go through the return to play protocols. I felt as I had a good first season that I was kind of burned out towards the end and knew I needed to work on that.

Q: What are the biggest aspects of playing third base at a high level?

A: I think the biggest aspects are mainly just trusting yourself and your skills. I push myself in practices and the offseason hard so that when it comes to game time, I can just go play and have fun.

Q: How did the Yellow Jackets improve from the trip to Florida to begin the season?

A: I think we improved in every aspect. We had a rough first couple games in Florida, but by the end of the trip, I could tell that we were starting to figure things out, and I am confident in where we are at right now and am looking forward to a very exciting season.

Q: What individual and team goals did you set for 2022?

A: As an individual, I want to top what I did last season. I know it was not my best, and I want to try to reach my full potential. As a team, I think a fair goal is for us to make the tournament. We have the potential and talent to make some noise this season and win games.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Waynesburg?

A: My biggest reason for choosing Waynesburg was for the athletic training program, as it was one of the few I could find that still existed. I also loved the school itself and the environment that it brought. It reminded me a lot of where I grew up. I knew that I would be coming into a good baseball program, as well. Everything just felt right at Waynesburg.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: I major in athletic training here at Waynesburg. My ideal future profession would be to work with a collegiate or professional baseball team. I love the game of baseball and if I could be around it every day, then I take that as a win.

Q: What has been your favorite class thus far?

A: My favorite class thus far has been sports psychology. As an athlete, it was very interesting to see the mind of an athlete from a psychology perspective. I also took away a couple strategies myself that I use from time to time if I ever get nervous or tense before a game.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory at Yough?

A: My fondest memory would have the be my junior year and the run we made in the playoffs. The memories and bonds that were made during that were unforgettable. The best moment for me was the WPIAL semifinals game where I got the start that game. The energy and support I had from my teammates that game is something I had never felt before, and is to this day the best memory I have.

Q: Do you still keep in touch with your former teammates and coaches with the Cougars?

A: I am still very close with a lot of my former teammates. I catch up with a lot of them on breaks and have some get togethers. I spend a good amount of time practicing with my one friend, Dom Koch, who plays at Westmorland County Community College. I am not super close with any of my former coaches, but I always run into them while I am back home and catch up with them.

Q:* If you could face any pitcher, past or present, for one at bat, who would you choose? What would be the outcome?*

A: I would want to face Phil Niekro; he was probably the best-known knuckleball pitcher, and I have always wanted to try to hit a good knuckleball. I don’t think I would have very much success, so I am thinking a strikeout would be the outcome of this at bat.

Q: Do you drink water, a sports drink, or something else during baseball?

A: Before most games, I like to drink an orange dreamsicle Reign. It’s not as caffeinated as a Red Bull, but it gets me focused and energized for the game. During games, I drink mostly water and sometimes Gatorade.

Q: To which movie or TV show can you recite nearly every line?

A: I would have to say Step Brothers for this. I have watched that movie multiple times with my family and friends, and it never seems to get old; same with the Grown Ups movies - I love those movies as well.

Q: If you woke up tomorrow with $1 million, what is the first thing you'd do?

A: The first thing I would do is make sure my family was financially stable. They have done so much for me over the years with baseball and everything that came with that, I feel that I would have no choice but to repay them.