Mike (Pudge) Branchaud
Sport: Softball
Year Inducted: 2010
Mike “Pudge” Branchaud has been synonymous with softball excellence in Cornwall since the late 1980s.
After becoming one of the preeminent pitchers and hitters on the Cornwall fastball scene, Mike began to get recruited to compete on All-Star and Tournament teams which eventually led to a long career as part of the World famous King & His Court 4-man Softball Team led by Eddie Feigner.
Mike’s fastball was once clocked at 91 miles an hour and his home runs are stuff of legends.
Mike collected several MVPs in Cornwall before being a key member of the 1993 silver medal winning Ottawa team at the Eastern Canadian Championships.
His performance at that tournament led to a tryout with Eddie Feigner’s four man team. The tryout was videotaped for the NBC news program “NOW” with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric.
He also won two batting titles with averages over .500 prior to joining the King & His Court full time in 1994.
Mike’s highlights while playing alongside Feigner include 226 home runs 1994 and once being labeled the future of the King & His Court the 1998 program used by the touring group.
Mike was named 1st team All World at the ISC World Tournament in 1999.
Mike has won numerous batting and pitching awards throughout Canada and the U.S. v Mike still plays in the Eastern Ontario Fastball League, and has been a part time participant with the King & His Court since 2000.
The quote “the King” Eddie Feigner, “For his age, Mike is the fastest pitcher I have seen in many years.”
Mike is currently employed as Manager of Canadian Championships and Domestic Services with Softball Canada.
Mike Branchaud, welcome to the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2010.