Coming home to Hermon Brothers Field

PALMER -- Prior to Tuesday, Brian Ferry's summer plans included getting a job and earning some cash to help fund his upcoming sophomore year at the University of Idaho, or even trying out for the Alaska Road Warriors American Legion baseball squad. But plans change when opportunities arrive. And Ferry has the opportunity to spend the summer playing baseball as a member of the Mat-Su Miners.

In an open tryout on Tuesday, Mat-Su field manager Mike Buchmiller saw something in Ferry and added the 2003 Palmer High School graduate to the Miner roster. The tryout was created to give local athletes the opportunity to compete with collegiate players from across the country and four local players hit Hermon Brothers Field on a cold and rainy day to challenge for the chance to wear the Miner green and gold.

"What attracted me to Brian was his hustle," Buchmiller said. "He gave maximum effort on rough drills."

Ferry, who played baseball for the Moose and the local junior American Legion squad, was tested in the infield, outfield and batting cage before getting the nod to join the club. Ferry said before the tryout he didn't want to get his hopes too high and wasn't sure if he had a shot at making the club. But after a solid performance in the drills, showcasing the ability to make the throw from the right field wall to second base, and the capability to lay down the bunt, Ferry's confidence rose.

"I thought I had a good chance," Ferry said. "I was the only one to get the call."

And if making the team was not a big enough thrill, Ferry began his Miner career in the opening day starting lineup. With a group of the Mat-Su position players still finishing their class schedules and college baseball seasons, the Miners opened the 2004 season shorthanded and Ferry was one of two Palmer High School products in the starting lineup. Ferry hit eighth in the lineup and manned left field, while fellow Moose alum Brian Weller stood behind the plate.

In his debut, Ferry had a couple of catches in the outfield, saw a Stockton home run sail over his head, took three trips to the plate and even laid down a bunt. In a sacrifice situation, Ferry put down the bunt and reached safely on a Stockton throwing error.

"We asked him to sacrifice and he got the job done," Buchmiller said. "He put pressure on the defense and an error was made on the throw."

Ferry said the nerves hit one he stepped up to the plate against collegiate talent, but once he made his first contact -- a little line drive right back to the pitchers mound -- anxiety turned to relief.

Once the dugout is full and each of the members of the 2004 squad have made it to Palmer, Ferry will take on a role as a reserve for the club. Buchmiller doesn't see the Palmer product as just a reserve, but rather a member the Miner squad who knows the community and the tradition of the Mat-Su Miners.

"Anytime you can have a local guy on the roster, it is great," Buchmiller said.

"I played on this field in high school, I'm glad to be back home," Ferry said.