Championship Line Comes Full Circle Back to Fairbanks

Chad Redfern got an early jump into the Goldpanners’ organization.

When he was 12 years old, he donned a Panners cap as the team honored his father, Pete Redfern, for his star pitching performances in the 1974 and 1975 seasons. Then, as a college freshman last year, he placed himself under the coaching of one Jim Dietz, veteran Panners coach during Pete Redfern’s tenure with the Panners and current head coach at San Diego State University.

But he’s not here just because his dad played here, or because he has an "in" through Dietz. Chad has already proven that he can hit—he batted .322 in his debut season at the San Diego State—and field—as evidenced by more than one diving catch already this summer for the Goldpanners.

"This is one of the best summer leagues there is," Chad said. "Coach Dietz encouraged me to come up . . . it would be great to return."

Current Panners coach Dan Cowgill has an especially laid-back style of coaching, according to Chad, who appreciates the freedom to just "play ball."

"He lets us show off what we can do," Chad said. "He emphasizes bringing our ‘A’ game to the field—that’s what he tells us." While Cowgill does give instructions during the critical moments, Chad said he and his teammates get out and hustle, though they still view it as a game, making it worth the hard work.

For this young player, the Alaskan experience is one that he heard stories of, and soon will have his own stories to tell. The California native is finding Alaska to be just a slight adjustment.

"I still can’t believe it doesn’t get dark," he said, shaking his head. "You don’t know what time it is and pretty soon it’s 3 a.m. and you’re still awake. And the mosquitoes are driving me nuts."

But, he adds, this new adventure is highlighted by a "great host family and roommate (Goldpanners pitcher Chris Dunwell)."

Chad maintains his independence from his father’s shadow, and certainly deserves the credit for his own talent on the baseball diamond. Still, his father, Pete, may feel as if he’s looking in a mirror this summer when he flies to Anchorage to see his son in a Goldpanner uniform, taking on his former rivals.

Michelle Eastty