Alliance Baseball League opens play

The American Legion announced in mid-May that it will not sponsor summer baseball throughout the country in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But that does not mean that there will not be any baseball in Alaska.

The Alliance for American Legion Baseball in Alaska, a local nonprofit, is sponsoring a 2020 summer season for players ages 13 to 19.

“We do not want this to be another thing that has been taken away from them,” Alaska legion Department Chair Russ Baker said in an update provided by Alaska American Legion last month,.

And after about a month worth of preparation, teams officially hit the field Wednesday. The four-game slate featured the Palmer Pioneers taking on South Anchorage. Wasilla opens its season Thursday against West Anchorage at Bartlett High School, and the Road Warriors first home game is Friday at 6:30 p.m. against Service at McManus Field. The Pioneers open their home slate Sunday at 1 p.m. against West at Hermon Brothers Field.

With no Alaska Baseball League season, the Mat-Su Miners are hosting the Pioneers at Hermon Brothers this summer. Concessions will be available.

The Alliance has put together a two-part schedule. The first piece, slated for June 10-22, will feature all nonleague action. League games will start June 23 and continue through July 20. There will be a pair of seven-team divisions, and the top eight of the 14 total teams will qualify for the Alliance State Tournament, which is scheduled for July 24-29 at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage. The remaining six will be at the Matson Invitational July 24-29 at Bartlett.

The Alliance National Division will feature Chugiak, Dimond, Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla and West. The American Division includes Bartlett, Eagle River, East, Kenai, Palmer, South and Service.

The Alliance has put together a mitigation plan regarding safety and the coronavirus pandemic. The plan follows guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control, the state of Alaska and municipality of Anchorage. The full list can be found at alaskalegion.com.

South opened play Wednesday with a 19-7 win over Palmer in Anchorage. Luke Guggenmos and Brady Shults led the Pioneers with two RBI each. Carson McLaughlin scored twice.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frotiersman.com.