Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks, Alaska, Wednesday, Angus! 75,1976- A-15 Fanners beat Pilots for national title WICHITA, Kan. —The "can-do kids" from Fairbanks so hard (or the city of Fairbanks and people there and went out and did it last night. didn't figure in the scoring as it was a sharp single to right tainly didn't help any and I have lo accept the respon- people just don't realize how much we sacrifice sometimes. field by pinehhittcr Jeff Doyle who was thrown out on a sibility." The Goldpanncrs upset the Anchorage Glacier Pilots 2-0 There wasn't one day on this road trip we didn't practice perfect throw trying to stretch it into a double. behind the two-hit pitching of Greg Harris to win the once or twice a day...I'm in tears and I'm emotionally worn "Will I be back in Anchorage next year?" Garrido said, National Baseball Congress tournament here. The tour- out. What can I say? I'm so proud of these kids 1 can't Harris only had four strikeouts but his breaking balls confirming a reporter's question. "No, 1 can't say for sure." nament crown represents the championship in the nation's believe it. This is the sixth time in a row I've been in this were low and usually hit into the ground. The first hit came "It would be premature of me to say yes or no. That summer amateur baseball program. game (the championship) but this game tonight meant oft him in the fifth inning when Bando singled up the middle. decision would nol be mine—it would be the decision of The Fanners exploded with a six-hit attack in (he 10th more to me than any other lime I've been in a final game in Harris only gave up three walks during the contest. He was (Pilot General Manager)Jack Brusherl and the board of this tournament." mobbed by teammates when he got George Hahn to ground directors. They haven't offered me a new contract or said inning to score the two runs after being stymied unlil then out to him to end the game. by nine innings of two-hit pitching by Dan Boone. Harris, savoring the victory, said, "We've been waiting to anything about next year...I know that." When Ihe Fanner bats were finally silenced after two get Anchorage nil year and we finally got them when it The first Fairbanks hits came in the fourth inning when Someone asked Garrido if he would fly home to Newport relief pitchers came in during the 10th inning, Harris iced counted." !Ie was also generous with praise for his leam- Stokke and Mark Naehring hit back-to-back singles. But Beach. Calif. the championship by putting the Pilots down in order. mates'defensive efforts. Dave Baker struck out and Wagner hit into a force play to The Goldpanners, who had finished second behind An- end the inning. "1 don't know where I'll go," he said. "I may leave or 1 Other Panners were equally ecstatic. may stay, maybe right here in this town, this hotel room. I chorage in both the Alaska League and regional tour- A wierd doubleplay got the Fanners out of early trouble in nament, won their fourth national crown in the past five Chick Valley, who played on last year's team, said, "This the second inning. Bob Pate walked then went to third as a don't know what I'll do. Right now. I could care less." years with last night's victory. Last year was the only break is unbelievable. We were second lasl year. I didn't realize The Glacier Pilots haven't won the national championship the difference between second and first." pickoff attempt by Harris was wild. Greg Cypret walked. in the streak as the Panners were beaten by Boulder, Colo. Then Tom Soto hit a high bounder to Stokke at shortstop and since 1971 and they were seeded No. 1 in this year's tour- "This certainly has to be (he most satisfying of them all," Larry Reynolds, who scored the Panners' second run, he threw to second to force Cypret. Pate then made a nament and considered the heavy favorites considering that said Goldpanner General Manager Don Dennis after the said, "This is the greatest thing in my life. This is super.'' delayed effort to lake home and was thrown out on a good they manhandled Fairbanks in 14 of the Iti games played game. "This bunch of guys probably physically has less It was a substitute outfielder who got things rolling for Ihe throw by Armstrong and a firm tag by Panner catcher Jeff before Wichita. The only other time Anchorage won the going for them than any Goldpanner learn we've had since Panners in the 10th inning. Hemm who showed a linebacker's attitude toward guarding national title was in 19(>9. I've been in Fairbanks (nine years). They just hung Dartt,Wagner, who hadn't played at all during the tour- home plate during the tournament. The Goldpanners wound up with a tournament record of (i- together as individuals and got down here and put it all nament but who was inserted into Ihe lineup because Boonc That play was haunting Anchorage manager Augie 1 on their way to the crown. They defeated Nashville. Tenn. together as a team. Ofcourse, Greg Harris was just is lefthanded and Wagner is rightianded, smacked a double Garrido last night after the game. T)-2, Tallahassee, Fla. !!-(>. Anchorage 6-5 in a third-round awesome." Ibal just missed being a home run. Dan Cowgill pinclihit foo Sitting in his hotel room with his uniform on, Garrido game. Boulder, Colo, (i-5, CJarinda, Iowa 3-0, last (o An- And lhat he was, Harris won four games during the Bobby Mitchell and singled to right field advancing Wagner looked to one reporter as if he wanted to cry but didn't. chorage 7-6 when a four-run ninth inning rally fell short tournament to be named the Most Valuable Player. His to third base. Jeff Hcmm then bunted down the third base Concerning the whole game, he said, "I haven't much Monday night and (hen won last night's game 2-0. tournament victories brought his season record to 15-3 to tie line but first baseman Chris Bando was playing in and was feeling al this point. I have no feelings, really...only bitter The Anchorage victory on Monday night forced last former Fanner Tom House who set the record in 1966. House out of position to take the throw and Hemm slid around him. disappointment, I never anticipated losing...never." is now with the Boston Red Sox. night's game since the 16-leam tournament was a double- Wagner remained on third during that play. Then Gary Talking about the play at home, Garrido said, "Pate eliminalion affair and both Alaska teams went into the Dictz said after the game: Armstrong smacked a sharp single to center scoring should have mde it in a Cakewalk. Pate did not react to the game with only one loss. I f the Panners had won on Monday, "This is probably the biggest win I've every had here. A Wagner. Boone was pulled from the game at this point and ball....He should have charged as soon as the ball was hit. the tournament would have ended then. < lot of people had given up on us. A lot of people back in Curt Lewis came on in relief. "Had he not hesitated, he wouldn't have been thrown out. Most of the Panners head for their homes today but a Fairbanks ami other places had given up on the kids a little Lewis got Ron Roenicke to pop out but then Chick Valley He should have run immediately—the situation called for bit because we hadn't been able to beat Anchorage earlier nucleus of about a half dozen will lead a group of younger lashed a single to center scoring Larry Reynolds who had aggressive base running." players into action this weekend at Vancouver. B.C. for in the year. I just kept trying to plead that (his was a young come in to run for Cowgill. Rick Foley replaced Lewis on Garrido, who was coaching third, blamed himself. "I team and if they would just keep behind us that when we three games and then on to a tournament al Kamloops, B.C. the mound and got Doug Slokke to ground out with the bases yelled go, but Pale was stopped dead in his tracks. Telling The younger players traditionally are those the Panners really needed it, it was there. loaded. someone to do something in that situation—when ho is dead "I'm telling you, it's just a sensational team...We played are considering inviting to try out for the team next year. All told, Fairbanks had six hits in the inning. The first hit in his tracks—does no good. It only confused him. It cer- The Panners are defending champions at Kamloops.
Craig Smith Victory is sweet
There is an out of date sign in town and maybe someone will go up with a paint brush today and make an important addition. The sign is on the press box at Growden Field and it proclaims that the Goldpanners were national champions in 1972, '73 and '74. As of the 6: 30 p.m. last night they were also the national champions in 1976. Panners given The upset victory at Wichita over the Anchorage Glacier Pilots for the National Baseball Congress championship has to rank as one of the greatest moments in Fairbanks sports history. The Panners were only seeded No. -I in the tournament and barely qualified for several awards Wichita at the regional tournament in Anchorage. Going into Wichita the Panners had lost 14 of 18 games against4110 Glacier Pilots including every one that really counted. WICHITA. Kan.-Goldpanners look a Grand Rapids; utility player, Bob huge share of the team and individual llorner, Boulder; center field, Bob ONCE THE PANNERS got out of Alaska their attitude toward the honors awarded in the post-tournamenl Pale, Anchorage; righl field, Mickey Pilots seemed to change. The Panners seemed to recognize that ceremony following their victory over Hatcher, Anchorage; left field, Tom they were the established underdogs and seemed to relish the role. Anchorage lasl nighl lhal gave Ihem Higgins, Clarinda, Iowa; first base, The coaching staff under field manager Jim Dielz drilled the young the national championship. John Harris, Liberal, Kan.; catcher, team hard with skull sessions and extra batting practice. A The sweetest trophy, ofcoursc, was Tim Burzelt, Boulder. BACK IN TIME—Bob Pate of Anchorage minutes later another pickoff attempt from momentum got established in the Pueblo tournament and carried on the tournament trophy. But the top Other awards: slides back to first base in time last night pitcher Greg Harris to Chick Valley was into Wichita where the Panners licked the Pilots the first time 6-5 individual award, the Most Valuable Best offensive team: Fairbanks during the second inning of the Panner wild and Pate advanced to third base. last Thursday in a third-round game. Player award, wenl to Greg Harris of Best defensive team: Anchorage victory over the Glacier Pilots. A few Much of the credit has to go the Dietz. The Fanner victory is the Panners who pitched a two-hit Most Popular Team: Ponchaloula shutout in the final game and won three La. reminiscent of the NCAA basketball title won in 1975 by John other earlier tourney games. Harris Team Sportsmanship: Ponchatoula Wooden at UCLA. Dietz, like Wooden, had won the national also won Ihe Leading Pilcher Award La. championship before with more talented teams. But Wooden won it and the pitching slot on the all-star Most Exlra Basehils: (five hits each) Renee, Nastase in 1975 with coaching skill and by instilling confidence in his out- team. John Rhoiiy, Grand Rapids; Frank classed players. Dietz and his staff turned the same trick in Wichita Mark Naehring, who hit .464 for the Calchelorri, Ocala, Fla., Tom Higgins, DIETZ IS A COMPLICATED MAN who knows baseball and, tournament, pulled down the Leading Clarinda. both win matches possibly because of his background in counseling, knows his players Hitler Award as well as the third base Most Popular Player: Ernie John of SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (API - slot on the all-star team. Ponchatoula. Despite the frequent unpredictability of better than they usually think he does. Still, he isn't what you would Most Spectacular Play: .lames call a "warm" person. But he sure gets results. Other Panners named to the team Hie Naslase, one thing is certain when Millward, Grand Rapids ((livingcatch) he steps on the tennis court; he's in- Dietz has allied himself with an excellent choice in Ed Olsen as were shortstop Doug Stokke and second Individual Sportsmanship: O/zie baseman Gary Armstrong. stant proof that men players are far assistant field manager of the Panners. The players call the likable Smith, Clarinda, Iowa superior and more excil ing than women Olsen "Oly" and returning players have been known to go up to Olher players named lo Ihe learn Home Run Trophy: (four each) players — Renee Richards not- Olsen and upon their arrival and say, "Hey Oly, what's Dietz like were; Frank Catchelorri, Ocala; John Rhody, withstanding. Designated hitler, John Rhodv. Grand Rapids. this year?" Olsen never has given much of an answer within earshot The :iO-ycar-old Romanian proved it of the press but one supposes that if he didn't like Dietz and enjoy Tuesday night at the Tennis Week Open working with him he would stay in California and spend his sum- by disposing of John Lloyd of Great mers as a major league scout. Britain, 6-1, C-:i, in 55 minutes. The victory for Fairbanks is especially sweet this year as this was With his all-around game. Nastase the year Anchorage was picked to sleamroll over everyone did just showed wtiy he and tne other top male that in league and regional play. Seaver finally players reign supreme on Ihe court. THE TYPICAL FAIRBANKS SPORTS FAN would rather beat At 1-1 in the first set, the defending Anchorage than eat. Anchorage calls the shots in this state in champion ran off live straight games. everything from legislation to business. Beating Anchorage in About one-half hour later, he sal down something gives some Fairbanksans the same thrill that Bostonians gets a victory with the handful of reporters led over from Ihe less exciting Caroline Sloll- got by dumping tea into the harbor. Beating Anchorage in the Renec Richards afternoon match to national finals is a glorious event and a tribute to the griltiness of By The Associated Press walked only one in beating the Giants talk about tennis's latest phenomenon. the Panners themselves and the skill of the coaching staff and the "A couple of years ago. if I had gone for the seventh lime in a row since Iil74. "So people come to watch 'him' entire organization. through one of these streaks. I might Roy Staiger drove in Iwo Mets runs play," Nastase said, referring lo Dr. Now, will someone get a paintbrush and fix that sign. have gone through the roof," said a with a single and a sacrifice fly, Richards, Ihe 42-year-old transsexual relieved Tom Seaver. Dodgers 6, Expos 0 eye surgeon from New'porl Reach, Seaver, the long-lime pitching ace of Hurt Hoolon registered his first Calif. "What do you think, I'm the Mew York Mets and a former victory since Aug. ;i and his fourth jealous?" Fairbanks Goldpanner, had ended one shutout of Ihe season, scattering seven When lie arrived at the Orange Lawn of the most frustrating periods of his hits, striking out seven and walking Tentiis Club on Sunday for some illustrious major league career, firing a only one in pitching the Dodgers past practice, Nastase was asked what four-hiUcr and beating Ihe San Fran- Montreal. affect Dr. Richards' presence would cisco (iianls 40 Tuesday nighl for his Ron Cey's 21st homer and Dusty have on his publicity. "I have too low an first viclory since Julys. Bakor's two-run single helped Ihe image to lose my publicity," he said. BACK SAFELY—Goldpannor Gary Armstrong gets back "1 didn't despair." Seaver said, lo first safely during the Panner victory over Anchorage. Dodgers lo their eighth .victory in nine Tournament director Gene Scott, "because 1 had been pitching well. The games, Anchorage first baseman Chris Buiulo looks al (he umpire main thing I could do was be consistent, whose acceptance of Dr. Richards' and (haddone that." Phillies 14, Braves 3 cnlry led to Ihe withdrawal of 25 women for the call. M-w,,;-i>i,a.,. In between victories. Seaver had Philadelphia pitcher -Steve Cnrllon. players, said, "The people come to see 1(1-4. scattered seven hits over eight Nnstase play, and that's the way it started seven times, and the Mcts had should be." lost each time. He was charged with innings for hissixlh conseculive victory four of Ihe defeats, two by shutouts and and helped his cause with three hit.s and Scott noted that the evening session NFL lottery in court one by one run. In his three no- three runshaltcd in. was a sellout crowd of :i,G