Juneau product added to Mat-Su Miner roster

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

PALMER - Before Monday, Bud Bahn had not picked up a baseball in about two years.

After graduating from Juneau Douglas High School, where he was a standout on the Crimson Bear baseball squad, Bahn left the dugout for the workforce. Though he spent most of his time working with his family's road construction business in the Mat-Su Valley, Bahn eyed a return to the diamond.

Now Bahn has the opportunity to return to the game he loves. Bahn's family urged him to participate in an open tryout hosted by the Mat-Su Miners, and following the event, Miner head coach Jimmy Smith told Bahn he would be added to the 2005 Mat-Su roster.

"I'm excited. I haven't played baseball in a couple years," Bahn said. "And to play for the Miners. They're great team."

Bahn and Zach Mierva, a 2003 graduate of Palmer High School, were named to the team after the open tryout.

Though he has not played organized baseball since high school, Bahn said he still had confidence in his arm strength.

"I have always had a strong arm - that's the biggest thing," Bahn said. "I knew it would all come back to me, and sure enough I made it."

Smith said it was Bahn's arm strength and athletiscm that separated him from the other players trying out.

Bahn, a pitcher, catcher and rightfielder in high school, is now a reserve outfielder with the Miners. On the 2005 depth chart he is behind California-Riverside sophomore Brett Bigler, Lower Columbia sophomore Ryan Krauser, Notre Dame junior Cody Rizzo, Stanford freshman Michael Taylor and Stanford junior John Hester, but as players on the roster begin to trickle in, Bahn could have the opportunity to see significant playing time early. Last season, Palmer High School graduate Brian Ferry was added to the squad after an open tryout, and started three games in left field while the team was shorthanded.

Regardless of playing time, Bahn sees this a chance to get back into baseball. Even though his career has been put on hold, Bahn still would like to grab the attention of a college coach and earn a scholarship.

"That's why this is such a great opportunity," Bahn said.

As a Crimson Bear, Bahn helped lead his squad to two state championships. He was named all-state, and the player of the game for the state championship during his senior year.

Mierva, a standout backstop with the Moose, will be the Miners bullpen catcher for the next two weeks. A medic with the United States Army, Mierva departs this month for West Point. At West Point, Mierva will try out for the Army baseball squad. Mierva coaches Mat-Su general manager Pete Christopher's son, Kevin, at the Little League level, and was prompted to tryout, even though he will only be available for a limited time. Mierva said he saw this as a good opportunity to practice with a squad of players from a high level of baseball, and prepare for his college baseball tryout.

Players at all positions attended the tryout. The event began with a series of sprints, before the tests in the field. The outfielders were sent to right field to show they can field the ball cleanly and make the throw to the infield. Infielders were tested first at shortstop, and then moved to second and third base. Infielders needed to show the ability to make the play in the infield, and get the accurate throw to first base. The try out continued with each player taking swings in the batting cage, and pitchers were tested on the

mound.

"The turnout was great. A lot better than last year - both talent and numbers," Smith said. "There were several real good kids."