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ALASKA GOLDPANNERS OF FAIRBANKS

vs.

EVERETT (WA) MERCHANTS

 

Midnight Sun Game High Resolution Pictures
Ceremony	California Bar	1908 Game	1906 Fairbanks	Midnight

FACTS & FIGURES

• EVENT: 2012 will see the 107th playing of the Midnight Sun Baseball Game (1906-2011).   Though the game is played through the hour of midnight, artificial lights are never used -- and have never been used in the 100+ year history of the event - despite the fact that the tradition's home field (Growden Memorial Park) was the first lighted outdoor sports facility in the state of Alaska.  Summer Solstice is the longest period of the year, and provides nearly continuous light throughout the evenings of June 19-22 in Fairbanks, which is 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle.  This phenomenon is ever so rare, and cannot be experienced south of the Tanana Valley.  The light fades towards the middle of the game, but usually returns by the end of the game. 
   

• LOCATION: Growden Memorial Park in Fairbanks, Alaska ; Roughly 3 miles from the airport.  View in Google Earth (Save) ; View in Google Maps.  Home of the W.G. & Eddie Stroecker Midnight Sun Game since 1963.
  
  
  
   

• DATE: The game will be started on June 21st.
   

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

• BROADCAST: Live at Goldpanners.com via PannerVision.
   

• HOME TEAM: The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks have hosted the W.G. & Eddie Stroecker Midnight Sun Game since 1960.  The Panners have sent 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.
   

• VISITORS: The visiting team will be the Marine U.S. Military All-Star "Heros of the Diamond" as a part of their "Red, White & Blue Tour".  VERY special opponent!
   

• TICKETS: Gates open at 9:00 pm.  Early entry tickets provide 8:00 pm admittance.  Tickets will be available by Christmas 2011.
   

• LODGING: There are hotels in the area, but they tend to fill up fast.  The Super 8 on Airport is closest.
   

• AWARDS: Pre-game ceremonies will see special awards presented relating to the 50th anniversary of the club. 
   

• DIGNITARIES:
   

• SPECIAL EVENTS: The game is stopped at midnight for the singing of the Alaska Flag Song; Anthem and Flag Song to be performed by tbd.
   

• HISTORY: 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.

  • In 2005, Fairbanks native Sean Timmons became the all-time winningest pitcher in MSG history.  With his save in 2009, his record became 3 wins, 0 losses, and 1 save.   Immediately after the game in 2005, Sean's No. 33 jersey was shipped to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.

  • In 2008, Bill "Spaceman" Lee avenged a 1967 loss in the Midnight Sun Game by posting a win against the SoCal Runnings Birds

  • In 2010, the U.S. Military "Heroes of the Diamond" took the game to 14 innings before the Goldpanners were able to eek out the win.

  • In 2011, umpires left the field due to an impending rainstorm.  Final inning resumed later in the day.
     

• INTERVIEWS : Personnel are available for interviews -- Schedule a time beforehand for best results.  Our office number is (907) 451-0095.  Todd Dennis cell 907-750-0099  Please remember that we are on Alaska Standard Time, which is an hour earlier than the Pacific Time Zone.

PICTURES / CONTENT
HI-Resolution Pictures

• 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

"FAIRBANKS REBUILDS SPIRIT"
BY TODD DENNIS

Alaska's Flag
Written by Marie Drake
Composed by Elinor Dusenbury

Eight stars of gold on a field of blue -
Alaska's flag. May it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby;
The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams;
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The "Bear" - the "Dipper" - and, shining high,
The great North Star with its steady light,
Over land and sea a beacon bright.
Alaska's flag - to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.

(Copyright © 1985, University of Alaska Foundation, All rights Reserved )