Miner profile: Blake sees team picking it up

PALMER - As his first season in the Alaska Baseball League winds down, Mat-Su Miners everyday center fielder Blake Rutkowski said he has enjoyed himself and learned a lot.

He is also willing to think about coming back next year.

But dont expect him out on a river hauling in king salmon.

Ive only been fishing once in my life, he said.

Im guess Im more of a city guy, said Rutkowski, who pointed out that he grew up about 20 miles from Chicago. He plays his college baseball at the University of Michigan, along with Miner teammate Scott Tousa, the everyday second baseman.

He said he has not been out at all in Alaskas wild country. It is just not for him.

But, the baseball is fine.

It is nice up here, he said, almost apologetically. It is different.

Still, he makes it clear hes here for the baseball.

It is pretty good competition up here, he said. It is good baseball.

It is still going alright, he said Saturday. The bats have been picking it up lately.

Rutkowski had three hits, scored a run and drove in the other in the Miners 6-2 loss to the Anchorage Bucs on Saturday.

That effort raised his batting average to .250, with four doubles and five RBI.Photo: Miners center fielder Blake Rutkowski.