Midnight Sun Baseball Game Celebrates 100 Years
FAIRBANKSThe 100th playing of the Midnight Sun Game drew nearly 7,000 baseball fans to Fairbanks’ Growden Park in June to watch the Fairbanks Goldpanners win 3-1 over the Omaha (Neb.) Strike Zone.
An Alaska baseball tradition celebrated 100 years in high style in June as the annual summer solstice Midnight Sun Game was played to an overflow crowd at Growden Memorial Park in Fairbanks. In what has become a Fairbanks institution, the hometown Goldpanners defeated the Omaha (Neb.) Strike Zone 3-1 behind the efforts of local pitcher Sean Timmons.
Playing baseball under the midnight sun began as a bet 100 years ago where a lot of bets get their start-at a bar. According to the Anchorage Daily News, that first Midnight Sun Game pitted the California Bar “Drinks” against the Eagles Club “Smokes.” The Drinks won the game 7-4 in front of an estimated 1,500 fans.
June’s crowd reportedly doubled Growden Park’s 3,500-seat capacity. Bobby Doerr, a Boston Red Sox legend and baseball Hall of Fame member, threw out the ceremonial midnight pitch-a tradition at the game. Rev. Mary Ann Warden of Barrow sang the Alaska Flag Song in Inupiaq, which drew a loud ovation.
“It’s sunny out now and it’s one in the morning,” Omaha player Adam Engekamp told the Daily News. “I’ll always remember this.”
While winning the centennial game was special for the Goldpanners- the club has lost only four solstice games since 1974-the team also notched an Alaska Baseball League title this summer.
Copyright Morris Communications Nov 2005