Long lines at Mulcahy on opening day for Alaska Baseball League

Fans drifted into Mulcahy Stadium on Wednesday evening, many wearing the black and yellow of the Anchorage Bucs or the royal blue of the Anchorage Glacier Pilots.

The aroma of grilled burgers and $6 draft beer combined with the sound of blaring music and the thuds of bats on balls.

The mood was set for opening day in the Alaska Baseball League.

"It's excitement in the air on opening day," said Bob Barger, the radio voice of the Pilots. "We all look forward to it.

"It's become a tradition here with the two local teams. This year the Bucs are the (home team), but both organizations are thrilled."

Spectators who arrived early got the best seats to see the first pitch. Minutes before, a long line trailed from the gate out into the parking lot as the latecomers arrived. The official attendance was reported at 1,495.

Once inside, fans migrated to the concessions and beer stands. People couldn't get enough food and drinks.

"The beer line is way too long," said a defeated fan as he trudged back to his seat empty-handed.

What wasn't long was the wait for runs. Barger said often the college players who come to Alaska to play in the ABL initially struggle with the transition from metal bats to wood bats, but the Bucs were ready to go.

The defending league champion Bucs scored twice in the first inning on their way to an 8-3 victory. In the second inning, Willy Homza of Anchorage started a five-run outburst for the Bucs when he belted an RBI single to left field.

Homza, a freshman at Brown University and a South High graduate, scored on the next at-bat on a double by Alan Trejo from Downey, California.

Before the game, Bucs assistant coach Matt Orloff said opening day is about everyone getting into a groove to start the season. The Bucs had nine position players available, so everyone knew they would play.

"Every guy who is available as a position player is in the game," Orloff said. "We're trying to get a feel for whatever guys we have in right now … It's been good getting to know these guys and kind of getting a feel for what summer ball is about on the coaching side."

For fans, the game was a chance to get their first glimpse at players who might end up on Major League rosters in the coming years. MLB greats Tom Seaver, Mark McGwire and Randy Johnson are a few of the players who played in the ABL.

"It's fun to watch baseball at this level," said Tom Pargeter III, a 29-year-old carpenter. "A lot of college players end up in the Major League system.

"One year I got to host some players and one of them is now in the Dodgers minor league system. Andrew Sopko, he went to Gonzaga and used to play here. He played for the Bucs."

ABL teams play games almost everyday through June and July.

Also opening the season Wednesday were the Mat-Su Miners and Peninsula Oilers in Kenai. The Oilers took a 1-0 win and host the Miners again at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The next game at Mulcahy Stadium is at 7 p.m. Thursday when the Chugiak Chinooks meet the Bucs.

The Pilots play Friday in Kenai at Seymour Memorial Park.