Above: Anchorage Bucs pitcher Angel Landazuri throws a pitch at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage. Photo by James Brooks
The Alaska Baseball League is celebrating its 50th year. The league’s five teams, all from the Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula areas, play an annual season that begins in June and wraps up with a post-season “Top of the World” tournament in early August. The collegiate league uses equipment that meets Minor League specifications, and its players are unpaid so they can maintain NCAA eligibility.
Over the years, hundreds of ABL players have played professional ball, including dozens who have competed in the major leagues. During their regular season, the teams roadtrip between stadiums with up to 6,000 seats. Fans are treated to lively games against a backdrop of Alaskan scenery.
The Fairbanks Goldpanners also play a summer season but are not currently part of the ABL. However, they do have the distinction of hosting the Midnight Sun Baseball Game played at midnight on or near summer solstice, a tradition dating back to 1906.
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