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| NO MOOSING AROUND: BASEBALL IN ALASKA IS DIFFERENT |
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| A TYPICAL DAY IN ALASKA: MOOSES IN THE CROSSES IN THE A.M.; BASEBALL AND SNOW PEAKS IN THE P.M. |
Designed by an orthopedic hand surgeon, patented Bionic Gloves are ergonomically designed for maximum comfort and performance.
Baseball's past, present, and future are ready for you to
see and be part of at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
What do Jason Giambi, Randy Johnson and several other All-Star caliber Major League
Baseball players have in common with Alaska of all places?
Well, they all played in the Alaska Baseball League, which
prepares the nation's top college players for a future in Major League Baseball. A Fan’s Guide To The Ultimate College
Summer League Ballpark Experience, available for purchase at the Buy Joe's Guides page, features everything you need to know to plan a baseball trip to "The Last Frontier," as well as some of the Best College Summer League Ballparks elsewhere like in the Cape Cod League, and ballparks througout the Coastal Plain League, Jayhawk League and others.
| ALASKA BASEBALL LIFE: GROUNDS CREW AND BUS RIDES |
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| CHALKING THE BATTERS BOX IS ONE THING; ENCOUNTERING BEAR ON A BUS ROADIE IS QUITE ANOTHER! |
Collegiate players from all over North America make the summer trek to Alaska and
live with "host" families. Competition to make one of the six teams is fierce. By day, the players work jobs or clean
up their home ballpark (yep, they’re the janitors and grounds crew). By night, they play ball. By day or night,
it rarely gets dark in Alaska.
In 2008, Fairbanks celebrates the 103rd Midnight Sun Baseball Game. Played
annually on the summer solstice, the game begins at 10:30 p.m. and never requires artificial light!
| IMAGES OF ALASKA BASEBALL: FROM KENAI TO PALMER... |
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| (above left) A RUSTIC ATMOSPHERE ALONG THE KENAI PENINSULA; (above right) PLENTY OF BEER AT BUZZY'S |
The Alaskan baseball experience is unique as a direct result of Alaska itself. Most ballparks have snow-capped peaks in
the distance – but plenty of natural light and sunshine, even in the wee hours of the evening. The ballparks are also
a reflection of Alaska – rustic and blue collar while at the same time, quaint and charming. They represent everything
we love about the great game of baseball and a ballpark. And the Alaska scenery and wildlife, well, that speaks for itself.
Where else in the world can you go fishing after a night game? Only one place: Alaska.
| EAT YOUR HEART OUT JIM MORRISON: WAITING...FOR... |
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| ...THE SUN...! (above left) A MIDNIGHT SUNSET IN FAIRBANKS; (above right) A SUNRISE ONLY HOURS LATER |
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