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THE JOURNAL - AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION BY THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
JUNE 2026 | WWW.ALASKAMINERS.ORG
institutions — a team that continues to inspire young athletes and unite communities under the endless summer daylight of the Last Frontier. For the full Miners schedule, visit MatsuMiners.org. Another monumental milestone that will be marked this summer on baseball diamonds in Alaska is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. America250-Alas- ka has invited Alaskans to com- memorate the 250th birthday of the U.S. during a “Week of Dreams.” Mul- tiple events are planned with a focus on celebrating Alaska’s historic place in The National Pastime around the anniversary of Independence Day. The Week of Dreams schedule is available at america250.alaska.gov/ event/alaskas-week-of-dreams Read more about Alaska baseball history at dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha
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Sims and Texan Jackson Babcock from the Colorado School of Mines. The Miners have become woven into the culture of the Mat-Su Valley. Summer evenings at Hermon Brothers Field bring together families, young ath- letes, longtime fans and visitors from across Alaska. Generations of residents have grown up attending Miners games, chasing foul balls and dreaming of one day playing on that same field. The organization’s youth clinics and com- munity outreach have strengthened baseball at every level in the region. As the Mat-Su Miners celebrate their 50th anniversary, the organization stands as a testament to dedication, tradition and community support. Thousands of players, coaches, vol- unteers and fans have contributed to the team’s remarkable legacy. Fifty years after the first pitch, the Miners remain one of Alaska’s proudest sports
The Miners’ success has also been measured by the talent that has passed through Palmer on the way to professional baseball. Numerous future Major League Baseball play- ers have worn the green and gold, including Craig Counsell, Jeff Brantley, Garrett Richards, Nick Senzel and Eli Morgan. The Alaska Baseball League itself has long been known as a proving ground for elite players, with legends such as Randy Johnson, Mark McGwire and Aaron Judge spending summers in Alaska honing their skills under the midnight sun. The connection with mining remains — in 2025 two members of the MatSu Miners roster — Evan Bilter and Fischer Sims — were students at the Colorado School of Mines, pursuing the twin dreams of baseball and mining. The 2026 roster includes Alaska native
Fischer Sims of Eagle River attends the Colorado School of Mines. 2026 is his second summer with the Miners. He and other players are hosted by local families, including some AMA members.
The Miners are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
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