Highlights from the 100th Anniversary Midnight Sun Game June 21, 2006

2006 PREGAME AWARDS

HIGH REZ (300dpi) PICS

Midnight Sun Game

Ceremonial Pitch Midnight

CREDIT: COURTESY OF ALASKAN-LEGACIES.COM California Bar First MSG Team Eddie Stroecker & Californias "Father of the Midnight Sun Game" 1906 Midnight Sun Game Story 1906 Fairbanks 1908 Game

"FAIRBANKS REBUILDS SPIRIT"
BY TODD DENNIS

2005 YEARBOOK & STATISTICAL RECORD
 

FACTS & FIGURES

• Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, and provides nearly continuous light throughout the evening in Fairbanks, which is 150 miles south of the arctic circle.

• The baseball tradition began in 1906 as a bar bet between the Eagle's Club and the California Bar, led by "Father of the Midnight Sun Game" Eddie Stroecker.

• The game is a celebration of the summer solstice, and is a Fairbanks holiday.

• There have never been any artificial lights used in a Midnight Sun Game.

• The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks have hosted the Midnight Sun Game since 1960.  The Panners have sent nearly 200 players to the majors, including Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield and Barry Bonds.

• Before the Goldpanners took over the tradition in 1960, various local and military teams were featured in the contest.

• The light fades towards the middle of the game, but usually returns by the end of the game. 

• In 2008, the Goldpanners will host  for the 103rd Midnight Sun Game (1906-2008).

• The game will begin at 10:30 (usually ends 1:30-2:00 a.m.)

• Gates open at 9:00 pm.  Early entry tickets provide 8:00 pm admittance.

• The game is stopped at midnight for the singing of the Alaska Flag Song. 

• The traditional "Alaska Flag Song" will be sung in Inupiat at midnight by Mary Ann Warden (Translated by Warden & Martha Aiken)

• The Sons and Daughters of the Midnight Sun will be presenting awards to two dignitaries as part of the pre-game ceremonies.

• This program is part of the drive for the development of the "W.G. & Eddie Stroecker Midnight Sun Stadium", a privately funded early 1900s style stadium to be located "North of 60" for the purpose of hosting the annual Midnight Sun game and other goldrush-era related events. -- LIFETIME PASSES ARE AVAILABLE

• In 2005, Fairbanks native Sean Timmons was the winning pitcher. He is now the winningest pitcher (3-0) in the history of the Midnight Sun game. Immediately after the game, his No. 33 jersey was shipped to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.

• Al Coutts (63) will be on hand to throw out the "Ceremonial Pitch at Midnight".

INTERVIEWS

• Personnel are available for interviews -- Schedule a time beforehand for best results.

• Our office number is (907) 451-0095.

• Please remember that we are on Alaska Standard Time, which is an hour earlier than the Pacific Time Zone.

PICTURES / CONTENT

• Pictures of previous MSGs are available.

• We do not send originals via mail.

• We do send digital files of photographs via email or mail.

• Please inform us at to what FORMAT (.psd, .jpg, .bmp) you would like the file to be, as well as the RESOLUTION (72/300/400) of the picture, and the MODE (RGB, CMYK, etc.)

• Pictures from the website may only be used with permission!  All Rights Reserved.

• Please give picture credits to Goldpanners.com

GOLDPANNERS' MIDNIGHT SUN GAME HISTORY IN PICTURES