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Show -NEWS- Spanish Fork B14 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008 Covering what matters most Longevity: east to attend Brigham Young From MICHELSEN • B l University. While there in his freshman year, he tried out because his favorite player for the Cougar baseball team was named Stan "The Man" and earned a spot as a first Musial. After watching his baseman. team defeat the Boston Red Following his first year Sox in 1946, he developed of studies, he received a a desire to further his own church mission call to serve skills in the game. in Uruguay. The Uruguay Michelsen played junior mission was nine years league baseball as a catch- old and the mission presier before joining the high dent allowed missionaries school team at Menlo-Ather- to participate in the fast ton where he played short- pitch All-Country Softball stop for a school of 3,000 League after a long day of students. After graduating knocking doors. And ironic from high school, he traveled as it sounds, South America rather than the US is where Stan Michelsen fell in love with Softball. Rather than play college baseball upon his return, he opted to pursue fast-pitch softball while finishing his communications degree which led him into the business of advertising. Following his career with different companies, he landed several college professor teaching jobs before ending up at BYU as a creative advertising professor. Today he is retired and is recognized as the oldest active player in town. He's definitely one of the oldest to have ever played in Spanish Fork. When he's not playing for Big O Tires, who just won their division championship in the men's city league, you'll find him at the senior games. In '08 Michelsen accomplished an arduous feat at 73 when he completed his eighth shutout victory in as many consecutive years. At the senior games in St. George and Provo, he set several age-group records in pitching, hitting and base-running — and he's not done yet. "With my desire, I can see myself playing into my 80s," he said. Michelsen's pitching is pin-point accurate from practicing daily in his own backyard. Other than that, what makes him stand out besides his age is a catcher's facemask he wears for protection as a pitcher, because he admits, "My reaction time isn't what it used to be." But he feels that playing softball at 73 is a blessing. Excellent physical stamina has provided him with the rare opportunity to play with all four of his sons. Daily exercise such as aerobics and a mini-trampoline have helped him stay in shape, which is one of the vital keys to his longevity in the game. "A lot of it is desire," said Michelsen. "Pitcher Satchel Paige had a motto that read, 'You don't grow old by playing baseball. You grow old by not playing baseball.' And that's also my philosophy. In winter, I wait for spring to come. I count the weeks because I just love it. It's my passion." Providing hiyh quality public education tor our children must he our «»reatc>t priority. Ken Ks a former peace officer, Ken >eay has been fighting crime or 31 years. As a state senator, ie will fight for you and for ! our children's education. "I believe that there should be a partnership between educators and parents, and that by working together we can find some innovative solutions to combat the problems that have plagued public education for decades " You can count on Ken Peay s commitment to these educational objectives: • Reducing class sizes • Funding up-to-date textbooks for all school children - Ken Peay • Recruiting and maintaining quality teachers * Vote Ken Peay for District 13 * www.kenpeay*com CUSTOM FINE ART PORTRAITURE DIGITAL PAINTING OF YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT DKDAVISPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 801-318-9907 _ I kenpeay@rfbiirst*com 1 801-404-8664 6785 S. 4400 W, Benjamin; UT 84660 .' Utah Slalc Senate Disirici 13 •'•' r -'l "'- " paid for by the committee to elcvt K.cnnrtlj Peaj to L'tah State Senate STANDING STRONG for • Your family • Responsible taxation • Small & responsive government BUILDING UTAH - PROTECTING FAMILI C O i LE GISLATO/E DISTRICT |