LHP Michael Kaufman Named Newcomer of the Year

Michael Kaufman had an outstanding freshman season to earn the CCIW Newcomer of the Year award, in addition to First Team All-CCIW accolades as a pitcher. He is the first Wheaton pitcher to earn First Team All-CCIW recognition since Tim Urbanowicz in 2009. He compiled a 6-2 record this season in 11 appearances, including nine as the starting pitcher. Kaufman posted a 1.68 ERA that is the lowest by a Wheaton starting pitcher since 1997 and the second lowest ERA at Wheaton since 1967. In 80-1/3 innings he held opponents to a .244 batting average, with 57 strikeouts and just 14 walks. Kaufman was 4-1 with one save in CCIW play this spring with a 2.26 ERA in 51-2/3 innings as he made seven appearances, including six starts, with one complete game. He held conference opponents to a .246 batting average, with 31 strikeouts and nine walk.

• Michael's Goldpanners Scrapbook Page

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Two from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

Mikey Ramirez and Andrew Buehler

The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks announce the signing of two pitchers hailing from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.   Ramirez is a right-handed starting pitcher, while Buehler is a submarining right-handed relief pitcher.  

UAPB plays in the SWAC, and is the home of 2012 Assistant Coach Jon Tatum.  UAPB has sewn up the second seed slot in the 2013 SWAC Tournament.   Ramirez is scheduled to start the first game of the SWAC Tournament. 

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MIKEY RAMIREZ, SP

Height: 5-10
Weight: 190
Class: Junior
Hometown: Los Angeles, California

ANDREW BUEHLER, RP

Height: 6-5
Weight: 230
Class: Junior
Hometown: Trenton, Illinois

First game is scheduled for June 7th at Escondido, CA, High School

To see the 2013 Goldpanners roster to date, visit Goldpanners.com

Community Supporter: Hoffer Glass

The Alaska Goldpanners will be using their media outlets to highlight local businesses that support non-profit baseball in Fairbanks.

To kick off the 2013 community thanks, the Goldpanners would like to put a spotlight on Hoffer Glass.

Terry at Hoffer Glass has been instrumental in the reconditioning of the Goldpanners' 1980 Blue Bird Bus, in preparation for the upcoming season.

Hoffer Glass replaced a broken window in the Goldpanners' team bus at no cost.

During the 2013 season, Hoffer Glass will remain the official glass, window, and mirror provider for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks.

Thanks also go to Goldpanners Board of Directors member Jason Barnebey for his management of the organization's assets.

Two from the University of Oregon Ducks

Shaun Chase and Nick Catalano

The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks announce the signing of two players for the upcoming season, both hailing from the University of Oregon.

Catcher Shaun Chase and Outfielder Nick Catalano are set to join 2013 club following the Oregon Ducks' title quest this spring.

SHAUN CHASE, C

Shaun is in his second year with the Ducks, and is able to catch as well as pitch.   A 2011 graduate of Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Ariz. … Was named to the Arizona Class 5A Second Team as a senior after leading the Fiesta League with 13 home runs … Finished in the league’s top five in batting average (.427), RBI (26), slugging percentage (.963) and on-base percentage (.557) … Scored 20 runs, drew 24 walks and had five doubles … As a junior, batted .411 with 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 19 runs scored, 11 doubles, a .937 slugging percentage and a .521 on-base percentage  while drawing 22 walks … A three-time all-region selection  … Ranked the 19th best prospect in the state of Arizona according to Perfect Game … A gold medalist for the USA Baseball 16U National Team in 2009 … Two-time Scholar-Athlete of the Week

• Shaun's Goldpanners Scrapbook @ Goldpanners.com

NICK CATALANO, OF

Nick is an all-purpose outfielder, but will be the Goldpanners centerfielder and possible leadoff hitter.   A 2012 graduate of Esperanza high school in Anaheim, Calif…. Played center field for head coach Mike Curran … A 2011 All-CIF Southern Section Division I Team selection after batting .377 with 37 runs scored, 40 hits, 19 RBI, seven doubles, five triples, three home runs, and a .623 slugging percentage … A first-team All-Century League pick as a junior in 2011, finished second in the league in both on-base percentage (.507) and stolen bases (23) … The Aztecs finished the 2011 season 23-11, winning the Century League title with a 9-3 record, and advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division I title game before falling to J.W. North 7-1 … Named third-team All-Orange County … Voted Esperanza’s Defensive Player of the Year … Named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the Hard 9 National Classic … Named All-Academic for baseball and football … Played football as a sophomore, junior and senior as wide receiver and defensive back.
 

• Nick's Goldpanners Scrapbook @ Goldpanners.com

First game is scheduled for June 7th at Escondido, CA, High School

To see the 2013 Goldpanners roster to date, visit Goldpanners.com

Three from the Gonzaga University Bulldogs

Zach Abbruzza, Payden Cawley-Lamb, Jimmy Sinatro set to join 2013 club.

The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks announce the signing of three players for the upcoming season, all hailing from Gonzaga University.

Pitcher/infielder Zach Abbruzza, Utility infield/outfielder Payden Cawley-Lamb, and catcher James  Sinatro are all set to join 2013 club following Gonzaga's title quest this spring.  They have already won the WCC championship during the 2013 season, and look to go all the way. 

ZACH ABBRUZZA, RHP/IF

Zach is a 6-2, 205 pound right-handed pitcher and infielder from Gonzaga.  He will pitch primarily from relief for the Goldpanners in 2013, but he will certainly be given the chance to start, as well.   He will also see time at first base.  Abbruzza is a sophomore, he hails from Redmond, WA, and was named first team All-Kingco as a junior and senior.  As a senior, was selected first team All-State 4A, Kingco Player of the Year, Washington Coaches Association Co-State 4A Player of the Year, Seattle Times All-Area as a utility… threw 34 innings and maintained a 1.03 earned-run average with 10 walks and 36 strikeouts as a senior…batted .409 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI…as a junior, went 7-0, threw 51 frames and recorded a 1.23 ERA…hit .405 with 3 homers and 23 RBI.

• Zach's Goldpanners Scrapbook @ Goldpanners.com

PAYDEN CAWLEY-LAMB, UT/OF

Payden will be used all around the field for the Goldpanners in 2013.  Though a seasoned athlete in the outfield for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, he will see time in the Fairbanks infield in addition to his work in the outfield.   Cawley-Lamb is a 5-10, 185 pound left-handed hitting junior, and he hails from Buckley, WA.  He played for the Wenatchee AppleSox of the West Coast League…batted .345 throughout the summer with 13 doubles, 2 triples, a home run…scored 43 runs while driving in 28…selected to the East All-Star team, made two plate appearances.

• Payden's Goldpanners Scrapbook @ Goldpanners.com

JAMES SINATRO, C

James "Jimmy" Sinatro is a freshman catcher for Gonzaga University.   He served primarily in a backup role this season for the WCC Champion Bulldogs, but will be called upon for a heavier workload in Fairbanks.

Sinatro is a 5-10, 195 pound right-handed batter, and he hails from Sammammish, Washington (home of 2002 NBC Champion outfielder Tim Montgomery).

The son of former major league catcher Matt Sinatro, Jim has the skills and the knowledge to operate as the club's field general.   Experience with the wood bat and playing time are all that is needed to watch Sinatro grow as a ballplayer.

• Jimmy's Goldpanners Scrapbook @ Goldpanners.com

To see the 2013 Goldpanners roster to date, visit Goldpanners.com

Alaska is a great place for baseball.   With over a century of local baseball history, the Tanana Valley has proven itself an ideal location for athletic competition.  This summer, visiting ballplayers will get a taste of this life as never before.   The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks have acquired the Interior Baseball Lions camp for usage during this summer of 2013.  

Though placed in a rugged Alaskan wilderness setting, the "New Olympic Village" is located within greater Fairbanks.   It is arranged for large groups to be housed comfortably, with many ways to pass the time.  

With water all around, fishing is as easy as dropping in a line.   Not far from the camp are locations for fishing, hunting, rafting, and many other outdoors activities.

Baseball facilities are under construction now, and are expected to include a batting cage as well as a full practice infield and bullpen.  Wiffle Ball facilities are also being built for tournament play.

Wireless Internet is available at all locations on our grounds.   Free usage for all guests.

Laundry and bath facilities are also available.

Pictures of the camp during various seasons below.

Pitchers from University of Arizona Added to Roster
 

Today, the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks signed two University of Arizona pitchers: Nathan Bannister and Cody Moffett.   Both are Freshman, and have had very successful amateur careers in Arizona prep baseball.

NATHAN BANNISTER, RHP

Nathan Bannister is a 6-3, 200-pound right-handed starting pitcher.  He hails from Peoria, AZ, and went to Liberty, AZ, High School where he was named the 2012 Arizona Republic Big Schools Player of the Year as a senior.  Nathan set an Arizona high school record with 55 career doubles as a hitter and finished his senior season with 104 strikeouts in 74.2 innings pitched and a 1.88 earn run average He also played third base and hit .454 on the season with 35 runs batted in.

• Nathan's Goldpanners Scrapbook @ Goldpanners.com

CODY MOFFETT, LHP
 

Cody Moffett is a 6-4, 210 pound left-handed starting pitcher.    He hails from Gilbert, AZ, and went to Highland, AZ, High School where he was a four-year varsity letter-winner in baseball.  He was a Rawlings All-West Region First Team Selection in March 2012.  Cody is currently enrolled in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and plans to major in chemical engineering.

• Cody's Goldpanners Scrapbook @ Goldpanners.com

To see the 2013 Goldpanners roster to date, visit Goldpanners.com

If you were to have an All-Star team of Goldpanners who would they be?

With so many historically significant players on our all-time roster, it is very difficult to settle on the best nine. Going with the greatest achievers in Major League Baseball, our all-time all star team would look something like this:

Pitchers : Tom Seaver (R; 64-65); Bill Lee (L; 66-67)

Catcher : Bob Boone (66-67-68)

1st Base : Jason Giambi (90)

2nd Base : Harold Reynolds (80)

Shortstop: Brendan Ryan (02)

3rd Base : Graig Nettles (64-65)

Outfield : Dave Winfield (71-72)

Outfield : Barry Bonds (83)

Outfield : Rick Monday (64)

Thanks for taking time Todd.

Check out the Goldpanners at www.goldpanners.com

via Beyond Left Field with Norm: Todd Dennis « 9 Inning Know It All.

Tickets for the 2013 Goldpanners home season are now available!

This ticket is for General Admission seating only. Passes for reserved seats will be made available later.

There are three shipping options — the default opinion is NO SHIPPING, which means you can pick them up at Growden Memorial Park during the summer season… and even on the day of the game! If you would like to have them mailed to you, select the USPS Ground option ($1). For faster delivery, select the USPS Priority option ($5). International buyers please select the INTERNATIONAL option ($12).

Tickets include a pass for the Midnight Sun Game on June 21

Workouts are scheduled for 11:00 am on the morning of the 7th of June.   They will be held at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego.  (Directions are available here:  Cathedral Catholic High)

Many current and former Goldpanners will be on hand to help with evaluations and placement.   Players are encouraged to bring friends along as well.

Those who make one of the Goldpanners' teams will be flown to Alaska from LAX on the 10th of June.

Players who wish to be evaluated following the 7th are welcome to fly themselves to Fairbanks for work outs with the club.  Housing and transportation are provided. 

For more information, call GM Todd Dennis at 907-750-0099.