ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – As they have for many years, hundreds of fans flocked to Mulcahy Stadium the evening of the Fourth of July to watch the Alaska Baseball League\u2019s two clubs, the Bucs and Glacier Pilots, play in a double-header that culminated in a fireworks show.<\/p>\n
New this year, however, was a nine-panel exhibit detailing the history of baseball in Alaska, organized by America250-Alaska.<\/p>\n
It was the launch of the initiative in our state, Alaska State Historian Katherine Ringsmuth, who is a part of the project, said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAmerica250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country,\u201d according to the initiative\u2019s website. That anniversary is only one year away, on July 4, 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmerica250 is our way of contributing to the larger national story,\u201d Ringsmuth said.<\/p>\n
She said Alaska is going to do that is through sports and specifically baseball.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to be bringing two really powerful stories together: the American Pastime and the Last Frontier,\u201d Ringsmuth said.<\/p>\n
The panels that were debuted at Mulcahy each dove into a section of baseball\u2019s long legacy in Alaska, which began with the \u201cKnock Down and Skin\u2018em\u201d club on Saint Paul island dating back to 1868. <\/p>\n
Spectators could also learn about the origins of the game and those who brought it here, as well as the famous players, from Satchel Paige to Aaron Judge, that have played at Mulcahy Stadium over the years.<\/p>\n
The exhibit is just the beginning, however. Next year\u2019s Fourth of July will be the USA\u2019s 250th birthday, and the America250-Alaska project – hence the name – hopes to make it a memorable one for Alaskan baseball fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are hoping to do,\u201d Ringsmuth explained, \u201cis bring up some MLB players who can participate in all sorts of fun things, from softball games to golf tournaments and our engagement with families and communities, and really give Alaskans an opportunity to celebrate our history and our contribution to the National Pastime.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the exhibit paid homage to the Alaskan baseball tradition, another storied tradition played out for the fans packed into the Mulcahy Stadium bleachers: the Alaska Baseball League\u2019s Fourth of July double-header.<\/p>\n
The Glacier Pilots and Bucs split the two games, although neither counted in official league standings. Afterwards, fireworks lit up the twilight Alaskan sky. <\/p>\n