Goldpanners win Reader’s Choice Award for Best Local Sports Team

“I think it just is a little bit of a recognition that the community enjoys what we’re doing out there, and they enjoy coming out to the ballpark,” Goldpanners general manager John Lohrke said by phone of the award. “We try to make it fun for the fans, and I think we’re putting on a good product and winning our share of games. That always makes their experience a little better, I guess.”

While strong play and general success were carried over from recent years, the Goldpanners introduced new turf and a new scoreboard ahead of this summer. Lohrke cited increased ticket sales and attendance as testament to their efforts toward continual improvement paying off.

“Some of it’s pretty obvious with the stadium that’s 60 something years old,” Lohrke said. “But we just keep trying to do things that just make the fan experience better and better.”

The Midnight Sun Game was even more of a spectacle than usual this year, as MLB Hall of Fame member Dave Winfield returned to Fairbanks for the first time since his playing days half a century ago to witness his statue unveiling.

Winfield threw out the first pitch, and the Goldpanners pulled away to comfortably win their fourth consecutive Midnight Sun Game, this time against the Seattle Studs who were the last team to beat the ‘Panners during their annual summer solstice showcase.

Lohrke also acknowledged less noticeable recent improvements, like one to the area around the concession stand, as necessary continual upkeep for Growden Memorial Park, which has stood since before Winfield graced its field in the early 1970s.

Reliable on-field success and investment in fan experience have kept the Goldpanners a Fairbanks favorite.

“We’re really pleased that the fans and community recognizes what we’re doing out there,” Lohrke said. “And we’re gonna just keep doing what we’re doing and make it as fun for them as possible.”

Second place went to the Ice Dogs, and UAF’s Nanook Hockey team took third.