For the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks, it just seemed like a good year to celebrate. It's the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood. The Goldpanners are marking their 50th year as one of the most successful teams in the National Baseball Congress, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a tournament in Wichita soon.
    So the Goldpanners loaded one division of their team on a bus and hit the road for Wichita, where they'll play in the ceremonial opening game of the tournament on Aug. 1.
    "We'll be playing against the Liberal Bee Jays, arguably Kansas' most successful team," said Don Dennis, general manager of the team since 1967.

Land of the midnight sun
    The Goldpanners are perhaps best known for their annual game, which is always played at midnight June 21.
    What makes the game worthy of recognition is the fact that the late-night game is played without lights, thanks to the perpetual light that illuminates Fairbanks for three midsummer days. Fairbanks is far enough north that the sun never actually sets for those three days each year.
    As Dennis put it, "Sunset for those three days just consists of the sun kind of skimming horizontally along the horizon, occasionally disappearing behind a row of mountains."
    The midnight sun game started seven years before Anchorage was even founded and is considered the oldest continuous event in the state.
    The Goldpanners team was founded in 1906 by Ed Stroecker. Ed's son, Bill, became president of the team in 1965 and has maintained the family enterprise to the present.
    "Bill is 89 and will turn 90 in a few days," Stroecker said.

Ode to barnstorming baseball teams
    As they planned their 23-game tour of Canada and the U.S. leading up to the ceremonial game and the tournament itself, the managers decided to hit as many locations as possible that had some historic meaning for baseball fans and players.
    The players on the team are primarily from California, Oregon and Washington.
    "We don't raise too many Alaskan players," Dennis said, "and there's not many teams out there barnstorming like this anymore."
    "We decided to include Dodge City partly because of its historical significance and partly because of Phil Stephenson," Dennis said.
    Stephenson is the baseball coach at Dodge City Community College and also works with the Goldpanners.

Dodge City's newest deputy
    Dennis was honored Monday with an appointment as an honorary Dodge City deputy marshal. The ceremony, which took place in the Long Branch Saloon, led Dennis to reminisce about an earlier trip to Boot Hill.
    "As a kid, I came here in 1953, and I still have my little blue Boot Hill pennant," Dennis said. "But I certainly learned a lot more riding the trolley on this trip," he added.
    The Goldpanners spent Monday evening as guests of the Dodge City A's. (For more information, check out Keith Jenkins' results on the sports page.)
    Tuesday morning, the Goldpanners headed for parts north and west. By the end of their tour, they will have seen a lot of country, learned a little history and celebrated several important anniversaries.
    For more information on the tournament in Wichita, visit the National Baseball Congress Web site at www.nbcbaseball.com.

Reach Don Steele at (620) 408-9910 or e-mail him at don.steele@dodgeglobe.com

By KEITH JENKINS

DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE

Posted Jul 21, 2009 @ 03:12 PM

Monday July 20, 2009
Sigala sends Goldpanners Away with Loss
Third basemen Oscar Sigala ruined the Alaska Goldpanners visit to Dodge City in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the game tied 5-5 in the last inning, Chris Winder reached base to lead off the inning and stole second base. Sigala then came up with two outs and delivered the game-winning RBI just beyond the centerfielder's reach in the left center gap to win the game 6-5.

Starter Jermaine Barksdale pitched well until he surrendered five walks. David Saiz then came in to pitch 5 1/3 solid innings. He gave up three hits, one run, zero earned runs, and five strikeouts to keep the game close. Michael Lacourse came in to pitch the last inning to get the win. Lacourse got out of a second and third situation and one out with two strikeouts in a row in the top of the ninth inning.

Sigala was 2 for 5 at the plate with a run scored and the game-winning RBI. Catcher Brad Cochrane was 3 for 4 with a home run in the game. Landon Anderson, Zach Atkins, Max Taylor, and Mark Radmacher also added RBI's for the A's.

By Aaron Torres, Goldpanner Media

DODGE CITY —

    On Monday, the Alaska Goldpanners made a stop at Cavalier Field along their trip through the lower 48 states as they celebrate 50 years of baseball.
    The Dodge City Athletics could not have cared less.
    The A's (15-22) spoiled the Goldpanners visit by beating the team from up north 6-5 on a walk-off single in the ninth inning by third baseman Oscar Sigala.
    Alaska struck first in the top of the second with two RBI-groundouts to take a 2-0 lead. But Dodge answered in the bottom half with three runs of their own.
    A's left fielder Max Taylor doubled to center field to bring home Dodge's first run of the game, scoring first baseman Zach Atkins who reached on a single to left. The next at-bat, designated hitter Mark Radmacher singled to center to score Taylor and tied the game at two runs apiece. Radmacher later scored Dodge's third run of the inning on a groundout by center fielder Landon Anderson.
    In the top of the third, Dodge starting pitcher Jeremy Barksdale walked the bases loaded and threw a wild pitch to send home the tying run. Later in the inning, Barksdale walked in another run with the bases jammed and Alaska grabbed a 4-3 lead.
    The score remained the same until the bottom of the fourth when Dodge catcher Brad Cochrane tagged Goldpanners starter Brett Williams for a solo shot to left. The home run knotted the score at four runs each.
    Alaska finally got the run back in the top of the sixth as third baseman Josh Ashenbrenner hit a RBI-groundout to give the Goldpanners a 5-4 lead.
    Dodge failed to score in the bottom of the sixth or the seventh, but Atkins tied the score 5-5 with a groundout to third, which scored Sigala who reached on a fielding error by Alaska short stop Trent Olezszcuk.
    In the bottom of the ninth with two outs and the score still knotted at five, Sigala stepped to the plate and singled in the winning run, scoring second baseman Chris Winder who took a pitch to the body earlier in the inning to give the A's a baserunner.
    Sigala went 2-for-5 on the night, while Cochrane led the way with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate.

Goldpanners Hit the Town in Dodge City, KS
Aaron Torres

Monday was a busy day for the Midnight Sun Goldpanners, as they took part in several activities during their one day in Dodge City, KS.

The kick-off actually began the night before, when the Goldpanners received a welcome dinner put together by Dodge City resident Debbie Setzkorn and several families who hosted the Goldpanners players during their stay. Despite the team getting in at close to 11 p.m.- some four hours after their expected arrival due to a tire repair on the team bus- they were welcomed with a great hot dinner of Midwestern barbeque, homemade macaroni and cheese, and a variety of desserts.

It was time to sightsee Monday morning, as the team took a trolley ride through the historic Kansas town of Dodge City. Players, coaches and support staff took the trolley up to Boot Hill, Gospel Hill, and several buildings, including a library and post office that was nearly 200 years old.

Next, the team took a walking tour of Dodge City, seeing several important landmarks dedicated to the television show Gunsmoke. Although Gunsmoke was never actually filmed in the small town, there are several monuments and plaques honoring the cast, including it’s most famous alum- Burt Reynolds, who was just starting his acting career at that point, as the show's storyline was based in the old western town of Dodge City, KS.

Following the walking tour, the Goldpanners had the opportunity to tour a local museum, where they took in a real, old-fashioned Wild West shootout. Several Goldpanners posed for pictures following the shoot-out.

The final scheduled event of the day was the most important, as the team visited the Youthville children’s facility, right outside the town. The facility is home to children who have been neglected or abandoned by their parents and are cared for by the State of Kansas.

During the Goldpanners two hours at the facility, the team answered several questions from the children, ranging from how they got involved in baseball, which are their favorite teams and players and even what video games and movies were the favorites.

The Goldpanners finished their day playing baseball, losing 6-5 to the Dodge City A’s. Despite the loss, several players commented that it was one of the great experiences of the barnstorming trip.

Dramatic Fashion

A’s top Alaska Goldpanners with walk-off single in ninth

KEITH JENKINS/DAILY GLOBE

As his teammates look on from the dugout, Dodge City Athletics catcher Brad Cochrane hits a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Alaska Goldpanners Monday to tie the game 4-4. The A's went on to win 6-5 on a walk-off single by third baseman Oscar Sigala.

By KEITH JENKINS

DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE

Posted Jul 21, 2009 @ 03:12 PM

Dramatic Fashion

A’s top Alaska Goldpanners with walk-off single in ninth

By KEITH JENKINS

DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE

Posted Jul 21, 2009 @ 03:12 PM

DODGE CITY —

    On Monday, the Alaska Goldpanners made a stop at Cavalier Field along their trip through the lower 48 states as they celebrate 50 years of baseball.
    The Dodge City Athletics could not have cared less.
    The A's (15-22) spoiled the Goldpanners visit by beating the team from up north 6-5 on a walk-off single in the ninth inning by third baseman Oscar Sigala.
    Alaska struck first in the top of the second with two RBI-groundouts to take a 2-0 lead. But Dodge answered in the bottom half with three runs of their own.
    A's left fielder Max Taylor doubled to center field to bring home Dodge's first run of the game, scoring first baseman Zach Atkins who reached on a single to left. The next at-bat, designated hitter Mark Radmacher singled to center to score Taylor and tied the game at two runs apiece. Radmacher later scored Dodge's third run of the inning on a groundout by center fielder Landon Anderson.
    In the top of the third, Dodge starting pitcher Jeremy Barksdale walked the bases loaded and threw a wild pitch to send home the tying run. Later in the inning, Barksdale walked in another run with the bases jammed and Alaska grabbed a 4-3 lead.
    The score remained the same until the bottom of the fourth when Dodge catcher Brad Cochrane tagged Goldpanners starter Brett Williams for a solo shot to left. The home run knotted the score at four runs each.
    Alaska finally got the run back in the top of the sixth as third baseman Josh Ashenbrenner hit a RBI-groundout to give the Goldpanners a 5-4 lead.
    Dodge failed to score in the bottom of the sixth or the seventh, but Atkins tied the score 5-5 with a groundout to third, which scored Sigala who reached on a fielding error by Alaska short stop Trent Olezszcuk.
    In the bottom of the ninth with two outs and the score still knotted at five, Sigala stepped to the plate and singled in the winning run, scoring second baseman Chris Winder who took a pitch to the body earlier in the inning to give the A's a baserunner.
    Sigala went 2-for-5 on the night, while Cochrane led the way with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate.
    "Hopefully these guys are having fun," A's manager Jeremy Irlbeck said. "And they looked like, tonight, they looked like they had fun. So hopefully a win like this propels us into a couple games in Derby and we'll see what happens."
    The A's will head to Derby today for a two-game series with the Twins. Dodge is back at home this Sunday to take on the Liberal BeeJays.
    Note: Check out tomorrow's edition for an extended look at the history of the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks baseball club with words from Alaska general manager of 43 years Bob Dennis and A's general manager and Dodge City Community College head baseball coach Phil Stephenson. Stephenson earned a spot on the list of the top-50 Goldpanners of all-time for his play as the team's designated hitter during the summers of 1980 and 1981.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.

Hey Goldpanners, You’re 50

Alaska Goldpanners make stop in Dodge, renew old acquaintance

KEITH JENKINS/DAILY GLOBE

The Dodge City Drovers make Alaska Goldpanners general manager Don Dennis a honorary member before the Dodge City Athletics took on Alaska Monday at Cavalier Field.

By KEITH JENKINS

DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE

Posted Jul 23, 2009 @ 02:50 PM

DODGE CITY —

    Before the Dodge City Athletics defeated the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks 6-5 Monday night at Cavalier Field, the Dodge City Drovers first had to acknowledge history.
    The Goldpanners, celebrating not only 50 years of Alaska statehood, but also 50 years of baseball, are embarking on the "Alaska 50 Tour" through Canada and the states, and on Monday, Dodge was on its list of destinations.
    Before the first pitch, the Drovers recognized Goldpanners general manager Don Dennis as an honorary member of their cattle-driving troop. Earlier in the day, Dennis also received an honorary deputy marshall certificate in the Long Branch Saloon at Boot Hill.
    Dennis, who has been the club's general manager for 43 years, said coming to Dodge was a no-brainer, seeing as how it gave him and the rest of the club a chance to reunite with an old friend.
    "The 50th anniversary trip is based on renewing old acquaintances basically," Dennis said. "It gave us the opportunity to come in here and renew acquaintance with Phil Stephenson and it allowed us to complete the circuit of the Jayhawk. We'll do Dodge, Liberal, Hays, El Dorado and Derby."
    Before heading to Wichita to play in the ceremonial opening game of the 75th anniversary celebration of the National Baseball Congress — an organization Alaska has enjoyed great success in — Alaska will take on all the teams within the Jayhawk League, including Dodge.
    A's general manager and Dodge City Community College head baseball coach Phil Stephenson played in the infield, outfield and batted in the designated-hitter slot for the Goldpanners during the summers of 1980 and 1981, while at Wichita State University playing for the Shockers.
    Stephenson helped lead Alaska to a NBC World Series championship in 1980 and played his way to a spot on the list of the top-50 Goldpanners of all-time.
    "It was quite an incredible group," Stephenson said of the championship-winning club. "And Don Dennis is the guy who obviously orchestrated all that and deserves a lot of the credit."
    In two years with the Goldpanners, Stephenson batted .312, while tallying 16 home runs, 68 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. Stephenson went on to play 14 years of professional baseball, including four years in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres.
    Stephenson is just one of 197 former Goldpanners that have gone on to play in the majors, Dennis said.
    Stephenson landed in Fairbanks after his older brother, Gene, had a managerial position in Anchorage. Phil said he had little expectations as to what the summer in Alaska would be like.
    "We had no idea what to expect," Stephenson said. "We just knew we were going to play with good players and were playing against really good competition."
    Just like the A's, Stephenson and the rest of his teammates in Alaska had to stay with neighborhood families during the summer, and Stephenson can still remember the Woodkes — the family that brought him in.
    "From the moment I stepped foot in their house, they made me feel like a member of their family," Stephenson said of the Woodkes.
    Back then, and even now, Stephenson admittedly had a vice for Dr. Pepper. He said when he arrived at the Fairbanks home of Sam and Ruth Woodke and their three sons, Ruth asked him if there was anything specific he would want or need during his stay. On Stephenson's short list was Dr. Pepper.
    The following morning, when Stephenson woke up for breakfast, Ruth greeted him by saying, "...Oh, and if you need any more Dr. Pepper, let me know." Stephenson walked out to the garage and saw four cases of his favorite soft drink.
    Many families in Dodge opened their doors to the Alaska players during their visit, even though some are already offering their homes to members of the A's ball club. The community even gave the players a home-cooked meal just outside the playing field after the game.
    Dennis said the people of Fairbanks have kept the Goldpanners afloat for 50 years, and they have truly made the team their own.
    Stephenson said he hopes the Goldpanners' visit to Dodge will have the same benefit for the A's.
    "I hope from the exposure standpoint, it'll allow us to continue to grow, advance and improve what we're trying to do here," he said. "I hope a team like this shows how much work, effort and commitment it truly takes. The people in Dodge City can see that it takes everyone to make it work."
    So to conclude the Alaska Goldpanners' first-ever trip to Dodge City, the A's won 6-5 on a walk-off RBI-single by third baseman Oscar Sigala.
    With all the history and success Stephenson has with the Goldpanners franchise, Dodge manager Jeremy Irlbeck said he now has one up on his boss.
    "I got something that they can never take away from me, and something not even Phil Stephenson's done — Phil Stephenson's never beat the Alaska Goldpanners," Irlbeck said. "That's pretty cool."

Monday July 20, 2009
Sigala sends Goldpanners Away with Loss
Third basemen Oscar Sigala ruined the Alaska Goldpanners visit to Dodge City in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the game tied 5-5 in the last inning, Chris Winder reached base to lead off the inning and stole second base. Sigala then came up with two outs and delivered the game-winning RBI just beyond the centerfielder's reach in the left center gap to win the game 6-5.

Starter Jermaine Barksdale pitched well until he surrendered five walks. David Saiz then came in to pitch 5 1/3 solid innings. He gave up three hits, one run, zero earned runs, and five strikeouts to keep the game close. Michael Lacourse came in to pitch the last inning to get the win. Lacourse got out of a second and third situation and one out with two strikeouts in a row in the top of the ninth inning.

Sigala was 2 for 5 at the plate with a run scored and the game-winning RBI. Catcher Brad Cochrane was 3 for 4 with a home run in the game. Landon Anderson, Zach Atkins, Max Taylor, and Mark Radmacher also added RBI's for the A's.