Boucher Shares Manager-of-the-Decade Award
December 24, 1969, Daily News-Miner

'Panner Pilot Gets Top Sandlot Award

WICHITA, Kan. (special) - H.A. (Red) Boucher, field manager of the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks, has been named co-winner of the "Manager-of-the-Decade" award by the National Baseball Congress.

The award is presented every 10 years to the outstanding manager of sandlot clubs throughout the nation.

Named jointly with Boucher was Bauldie Moschetti, pilot of the Bouler, Colo., Collegians.

Boucher, who also serves as mayor of Fairbanks, has guided the Goldpanners since 1960 and has taken teams to the annual National Tournament in Wichita since 1962.  

His 1962 and 1964 teams finished runner-up to the national title and his teams have never finished lower than fourth. 

The Goldpanners missed the tournament in 1966 when they participated in the World Invitational Tournament in Honolulu and again in 1968 when they made a good will tour of Japan.  Last year the Goldpanners placed fourth, losing to Moschetti's Boulder team in the third-place game.

During Boucher's tenure in Fairbanks 14 of his players, including Tom Seaver of the New York Mets, have advanced to the major leagues.  Boucher's teams have also copped seven NBC Alaskan state titles since 1962.

Moschetti, who brought his Boulder club to Fairbanks last summer, has piloted the Collegians since 1964 and has won the last five straight Colorado state NBC titles after finishing runner-up in his first try.

The Collegians, under Moschetti, have won the national title twice - in 1966 and repeating in 1967.  During the other three appearances in Wichita, Boulder has finished third, fourth and seventh.

The Collegians own a national tournament record of 15 consecutive victories and until Anchorage achieved the feat this year, had been the only team ever to lose its first game and come back to claim the big prize.

Paul Deese of Anchorage was named recipient of the 1969 "Manager-of-the-Year" award for leading his club to the national title.   Deese is baseball coach at Chapman College in California.

Plaques will be presented to all three managers during the 36th annual National Tournament at Wichita next August.

December 24, 1969, Daily News-Miner