Miners continue preparations for season

After a few seasons of baseball mediocrity, the Mat-Su Miners enjoyed periods of success last season. The club tied a few winning streaks together and had more success than the program had seen in recent memory, but ultimately fell short of their primary goal -- a trip to Wichita, Kan., and the National Baseball Congress World Series.

With optimism high, and the hope of a World Series berth in the near future, Christopher and the Miners felt the club needed an extra spark to drive the program to the next level. Christopher and the Miners believe Mike Buchmiller isthat spark.

Buchmiller will serve as the head coach of the Mat-Su Miners. He replaces Kevin Edwards, who was not invited to return after a one-summer stint with the Miners last season.

After the search for a new field manager began, Christopher received more than 40 applications, but Buchmiller was the clear choice.

"He kind of jumped out because of his background," Christopher said.

Christopher felt Buchmiller possessed the attributes necessary to bring the Miners to the next level. In addition to a great knowledge of the game, Christopher feels Buchmiller possess' the maturity needed to excel in the position.

"We didn't want to get into the same problem as last year. (Mike's) a little more mature," Christopher said about his 31-year-old skipper. "The coaching staff plays a very important role in the makeup of the team. They need to pick the team up, keep the team on a short leash. He can't be one of the guys."

Christopher felt the 25-year-old Edwards made poor decisions while leading the Miner players on and off the field.

Buchmiller, whose baseball profile includes vast experience as both a player and coach, is returning for his second coaching opportunity in Alaska. He served as an assistant coach to Jim Yanko on the Anchorage Bucs staff during the 2001 season.

"I am really exciting about this opportunity," Buchmiller said. "I was fortunate enough to be an assistant in Alaska in 2001, and have always looked for an opportunity to come back."

Buchmiller, who currently is an elementary physical education teacher in Las Vegas, built his own summer league baseball team and led the squad to the NBC World Series. That was the selling point for Christopher.

"He's got a lot of respect from college coaches," Christopher said. "He's kind of one that knows all about the game and he hasn't disappointed me yet."

Buchmiller said he had a connection in the Arizona-Nevada Desert League, and created his own club -- the Las Vegas Desert Devils. Acting as both the general manager and head coach, Buchmiller recruited talent and led his team to a world series berth.

Prior to his coaching career, Buchmiller played in college for San Joaquin Delta Junior College and San Francisco State. He began his coaching career at the high school level and also served on the San Joaquin staff. Buchmiller has also coached in numerous clinics in camps.

As a former third baseman and outfielder, Buchmiller said his coaching expertise lies within the offensive part of the game. In addition to defense in both the infield and the outfield, Buchmiller said he is also comfortable in coaching in the area of pitching.

Joining Buchmiller on the coaching staff is Jimmy Smith, an assistant coach at Frostburg State University. Buchmiller had named Yanko to his staff, but learned last week Yanko will be unable to coach in Alaska this summer due to health reasons.

Buchmiller has already spent long hours building the 2004 Miners' club and Christopher is happy with the results.

"He has put in a tremendous amount of time and work, it's very refreshing," Christopher said. "He's coached in Alaska, he's had his own team. He knows what it takes to win."