Reds fall short in Alaska

Times Reporter   

 

The Strathmore Midget triple A Reds baseball club had a memorable trip in more ways than one when they went to Alaska earlier this month July 6-16. 

Their mission ultimately fell short in the semifinals to Team Tennessee at the Anchorage portion of the tournament.

“Our first tournament was in Kenai, Alaska. (We) opened up against a travel team from California and we beat them 5-1. They were kids from all over California and the States and (the team) pays to play in each tournament that have scouts in it,” said Zane Anderson.  

The Reds played a tightly contested game in their second game, but ended up losing a close one to the Alaska host team 2-1.

“In the semifinal (of the Kenai tournament), we ended up playing a team from Tennessee but the game got rained out in the second inning,” said Anderson.

“After that we travelled to Anchorage where we made the semifinal (and) played the exact same team from Tennessee … and lost 2-0 to them, they had a really good team as (their team consisted of) players from college.”

That team, according to Anderson, was the best team they had played all year.

The highlight of the tournament was the composure the Reds showed when scouts were sitting in the stands watching certain players on the diamond.

“Playing in the Anchorage tournament and making the semifinal playing against Team Tennessee … scouts were in the stands from colleges and even the professionals and performing under pressure with people watching was the highlight,” said Anderson.

It was not all about baseball when the Strathmore Reds went to Alaska as the team wanted to take in as much as they could, with the scenery and a very successful fishing venture.

“We did a bunch of team events, we went salmon fishing one day and actually (the team) caught 132 fish,” said Anderson.

“All the boys hiked a glacier which was pretty cool. On the final day we went white water rafting down a river just outside of Anchorage and supposed to be some of the best rafting in the world with four or five rapids.” 

Anderson also added that the kids just had an absolute blast out on those rapids and it was one trip that they will never forget.