Mike Kluver to baseball Hall of Fame
Mike Kluver to be inducted into the AYBA Hall of Fame
Contributed photo – Mark Ripley of Select Digital Memories
By Contributed by Judy Backhus
July 10, 2025
ALEXANDRIA — The Alexandria Youth Baseball Association is proud to announce the induction of Mike Kluver into its Baseball Hall of Fame. Mike will accept his award at the induction ceremony at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025 at the Broadway Ballroom.
Although the Kluver family is well known in the Alexandria community for golf, Mike’s first love was always baseball. He often said that he would play golf when he stopped playing baseball! His love of the sport of baseball is evident in his many years of not only playing the game, but also being a coach, umpire, groundskeeper, and a fan.
Mike has played baseball for over 40 years. At 15 years old, he started playing for the Alexandria Clippers, along with teammates Dale Serum and Bob Montbriand (both AYBA Hall of Famers!) He played in the Resorter’s League for many years as an Alexandria Clipper and Classic Clipper. Mike was a legendary pitcher and would also play as a catcher when not on the mound.
Mike has also spent decades coaching the game of baseball, teaching the fundamentals, instilling a strong work ethic, and fostering a genuine passion for baseball. Through countless hours on and off the field, Mike has guided athletes to reach their highest potential, with many former players advancing to compete at the collegiate and professional levels. Mike’s legacy is not only measured in wins, but in the lives he’s influenced and the lasting imprint he has made on the game. He has coached at all levels and continues to coach ninth-grade baseball for school district 206.
Mike also gave private lessons for several years to young baseball players, focusing on developing and improving pitching skills with the players he coached.
Umpiring the game of baseball was also an instrumental aspect of Mike’s involvement in the sport. Beyond calling “balls and strikes” himself, he also organized and developed a strong network of umpires. He umpired at all levels, often umpiring with Dale Serum, Bob Montbriand, and Marsh Nichols, creating lifelong friendships with these Alexandria baseball legends.
The community of Alexandria Baseball is also appreciative of the devoted groundskeeping that Mike did for numerous baseball fields throughout our community. He went above and beyond expectations to make sure that players of all ages could compete on safe and well-maintained fields.
The AYBA banquet, “Celebrating Alexandria Baseball: Past, Present and Future,” will not only honor and induct Mike Kluver into the AYBA Hall of Fame, but the event also includes awards and recognitions of our 2025 Alexandria Cardinal varsity baseball players, and our Sr. & Jr. Legion Baseball players.
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