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By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

For guys like Mike Miller, there really isn’t much of a summer vacation.
The Archbishop Ryan graduate recently concluded his freshman year at Widener University, where he pitched for the Pioneers.
Yet even though school is over, Miller is still taking classes. And even though baseball season ended more than two months ago, he’s still competing on the diamond.
"It’s a lot of fun to be home again. I get to see all my friends again," said Miller. "But I’m still busy. I’m going to school right now, I’m just commuting."
The 19-year-old is taking a physics course and working toward an engineering degree. During the week, he drives more than an hour to Chester for classes.
The ride doesn’t seem too long, though.
After all, he’s cruising in a 1999 Ford Mustang convertible.
"I love driving that car," he said with a smile. "I drive it everywhere. I’m studying engineering so hopefully I can design cars after college. The ultimate goal would be to design a Mustang."
And when he’s not driving in the fast lane, he’s hurling his fastball from the pitcher’s mound.
Miller has been pitching for 11 years now. The 6-foot-3 hurler has mastered the fastball, curveball, change-up and splitter. In 2004, he helped the Raiders to a 14-4 regular-season record and first place. They advanced to the Catholic League finals but lost to Archbishop Carroll, 7-3. The following two years, Ryan played hard but exited the playoffs both times during the quarterfinals.
"I miss Ryan so much," he said. "It was great to see some of my old teammates this summer. We watched a lot of the high school games when we had a chance."
At Widener, Miller appeared in 13 games during his debut season and had a 3.32 ERA. He struck out 18 batters and walked five in more than 21 innings of work. The Pioneers were 26-16 this year.
"Playing in college is a lot of traveling but it’s worth it," he said. "It’s pretty cool playing teams from all over and getting to face different talent.
"I don’t really get excited or nervous," he added. "I know I have to just go in and throw. I do my best, and there’s not much else I can do. I find a lot that it’s hit or miss. Either you’re on or you’re off."
Miller certainly has been on this summer. His skills have helped lead the Bustleton American Legion to first place in regular-season play.
"For me, baseball is just about having fun," said Miller. "Going from college to Legion ball is a big difference. Legion is so much easier. In college there’s so much pressure on you. But summer ball is just simple and fun. I love it out here."
Bustleton recently played Olney in a three-game series in the first round of the playoffs. Bustleton lost the first game, 4-1, on July 18. They came back strong the following day, defeating Olney 15-1. But the Bustelton season came to a halt after losing game three, 3-2 on July 20.
The final game concluded Miller’s fourth season with Bustleton. Last year the squad lost to Ivy Ridge, 10-5, in the semifinals. The losses have been disappointing for Bustleton, which has failed to win the city championship for the third time after a string of six consecutive titles.
"I think we had a great team this year," said Miller. "And we were all here because we love to play baseball. There’s no pressure. There’s no intimidation. It’s just baseball the way it should be — fun." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com