Start spelling my first name M-Y-K-E.

Mike just doesn't cut it anymore.

The name "Mike" used to be all the rage when I was a youngster.

I was surrounded by them. They were everywhere.

In Spanish class - where by the way I didn't fare muy bien - there were so many "Miguels," I had to go by "Julio" to avoid confusion.

That name was in honor of my favorite baseball player at the time, and, well, still because the guy hasn't retired yet despite breaking into the league when Ronald Reagan was president - and in his first term.

The name "Mike" had similar staying power, I thought.

On my Little League baseball team, there was a kid named "Mike" at all three outfield positions as well as at second base.

The world was overrun by Mikes. Soon after, everyone wanted to be like Mike.

The "Mike" generation can be seen in the major leagues now. A pretty decent baseball team can be assembled with players just named Mike.

Catcher: Piazza; first base: Sweeney; second base: Mordecai; shortstop: Young; third base: Lowell; Outfield: Cameron, Tucker, Cuddyer. Starting pitchers: Mussina, Hampton; relief pitchers: Timlin, Remlinger, Stanton.

But the name Mike is disappearing faster than the bunt. It's growing as rare as a Pirates' winning streak.

I've been taking names of Little Leaguers for almost two months now, and when I take that many names, it's pretty easy to spot some peculiar trends. I can pick up on what names the sluggers and hurlers of tomorrow will carry with them to the plate and to the mound.

"Mike" ain't one of them.

There's one here or there, but they are few and far between.

The nation, and its parents, is turning its back on "Mike."

Instead, parents are opting for the unique and, sometimes, the outlandish.

Everyone wants his or her child to stand out. I guess "Mike" just doesn't cut it.

Mike is being supplanted by Kody and Kory and Dayne and Dakota.

It's not a good time to be a Mike.

Of course, other names are taking hits, too. Like Zach. There are many creative ways to spell Zach these days, like Zak, Zac, Zack and even Zacch and Zakk.

Some names aren't even names as much as they are proclamations, like "Ribbie" and "Victory."

But all is not lost for the Mike Nation. These things tend to go in cycles. Perhaps one day the odd names now will be the run of the mill and Mike will be able to step back into the breach.

After all, "Michael" means "who is like God" according to parenthood.com.

That's a pretty good endorsement. As long as it doesn't mean "who is apt to strike out a lot," parents should have no qualms about naming their Little-Leaguer-to-be "Mike."

Word of warning for those wanting a basketball star in the family. Tyler means "maker of bricks."

Oddly enough, two of the top scorers in Butler County this past high school season were named Tyler - Callihan and Grossman.

Go figure.

So, c'mon parents! Step up to the Mike and name your little bundle of joy and next Little League star … Myke.