Veteran’s return a boost for Miners

PALMER — The Alaska Baseball League Top of the World Series will be played in Palmer for the first time in the event’s history August 3-4, and there is one person on the Mat-Su Miners roster who may be more eager than anyone else.

Miners first baseman Hunter Simmons, a member of the 2014 Miners team which was swept by the Alaska Goldpanners in the Top of the World Series last year, is looking forward to playing this game in front of the Palmer crowd this time around, hoping for an ABL championship.

Simmons, who will be entering his junior year at the University of Utah and the only returning Miners player from a year ago, was brought to the Miners in the offseason by general manager Pete Christopher in order to refine his baseball skills. After a few injuries to teammates throughout the season, Simmons, the only returning Miners player from the 2014 team, has found his way onto the roster, making a valuable contribution to the team.

As of July 26, Simmons is batting .250, with three doubles, one home run, and five RBIs. Over a stretch from July 9 through July 15, he was 8 for 10 at the plate, with one double, one home run, four RBIs and five runs scored. This helped Simmons to earn the selection as a Miners representative in the Alaska Baseball League Home Run Derby on July 19.

“I’m so thankful that BT (Miners Manager Ben Taylor), the coaching staff, and Pete (Christopher) for believing in me and giving me a chance to be on this team again. I had a tough college year. I didn’t play well. They believed in me and nothing was guaranteed to me at all (about being on the roster),” Simmons said.

For Simmons, this will be the second time he has been a part of a Miners team that is participating in the Top of the World Series. After being swept by the Panners in the series last year, Simmons feels very strongly that the team can redeem themselves this year in the event. He also believes that playing at Herman Brothers Field will give the Miners a clear advantage.

“Playing at home this year, I think it will be an advantage because we have such a great crowd. I think the biggest advantage we have this year is having such depth on the team and having home field advantage,” Simmons said.

The crowds at Hermon Brothers have been large this year. July 24, 1,312 fans attended the Miners’ 3-2 win over the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks, which was the win that clinched home field advantage for the Miners in the Top of the World Series. That crowd was the largest crowd ever recorded in Christopher’s 13-year tenure as Miners general manager.

“When you play in front of such a large crowd that is here to see you play and to see you win, it gave me goose bumps to see that many people there,” Simmons said.

One special person will be in the crowd beginning Saturday night in Kenai and remaining in the crowd until the final out is recorded in the Top of the World Series. Simmons’ father, Steve, who visited Simmons earlier in the season with a few other family members, will be returning to Alaska to watch Simmons finish the season with the Miners.

“None of this would happen without my family and my girlfriend, and the supporting cast I have at home. I’m excited for my dad to come out so he can see this championship because he deserves it more than anyone else, so for him to see us win it all would be unreal,” Simmons said.

Smiling, Simmons added, “I might just give him my ring if we win it because I love him so much.”

Mat-Su, the ABL National League champion, will host the ABL American League champion in the best-of-3 ABL Top of the World Series. As of press time Monday, the Anchorage Bucs held a four-game lead over the Peninsula Oilers in the ABL AL standings. The first game of the series is scheduled for Aug. 3 at 6 p.m., with Game 2 at 3 p.m. on August 4 and Game 3 to follow on August 4 at 6 p.m., if necessary.

Simmons will be in uniform and looking to win his first ABL championship with the Miners.