The Peninsula Oilers are bringing a big group of players to the 2011 MLB Amateur draft, largely on the strength of an abundance of sophomores and juniors in their 2010 campaign. In last year’s draft, the team placed a dozen alumni in the selections — 10 of whom ultimately signed — plus a non-drafted free [...]

As we’ve already seen, plenty of former ABL players in the amateur ranks have been jumping schools, and we’ve uncovered a couple more who have a new place to call home this school year. Elliot van Gaver, Cullen Mahoney, Jeeter Ishida and Chris Garrison have found new homes for 2010-2011.

Batter scouting video featuring 2B Derrick Chung, of Sacramento State, playing for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks. Chung is an infielder with great makeup, who also packs a bit of pop in his bat.

Dear loyal readers, You’ve probably noticed by now, but things are a’changin’ around 49thStateHardball. We’ve moved servers, layouts, and all kinds of crazy stuff. The end result is that the site should be bigger, better, and make all your wildest dreams come true. However, in the mean time, there might be some kinks to work [...]

It’s been kind of a slow week, and quite honestly, I can’t think of much to write for this post. I can, however, think of plenty of things that are worthy of their own posts. I’ve sat here for an hour or two poking around on the web for news bytes and just can’t come [...]

Vote for your favorite ABL player in the Major Leagues Regular-season baseball in all its forms is officially over. You’ve listened to me ramble on for the past year. Now it’s your turn to tell me what you think! Below is the official ballot for the 2010 ABL-to-MLB year-end awards. There are four categories: Batter, [...]

Rangers’ franchise player has waited a decade to see the post-season. After completing his MVP season with the Goldpanners in 1996, Michael Young went pro. By 2000, he’d reached the major leagues; since 2001 he has been a permanent fixture with the Texas Rangers, and despite being shuffled around the field and seeing highly-touted stars [...]

Scouting video on Zach Vincej, Pepperdine shortstop, who played for the Anchorage Bucs in the 2010 Alaska Baseball League. Vincej is a very strong defensive prospect who may increase his offensive production as he matures.

Alright, folks. There’s some important stuff to talk about this weekend…but I’m hitting the road for Missoula, Montana today and I need to be on that highway like, right now. So let’s get right to the nuts & bolts: – The teams are right back at it, hitting it hard in preparation for the next [...]

When the All-ABL picks were announced shortly before the end of the season, I knew I had to get another look at Gold Glove winner DJ Crumlich of the Goldpanners. Fortunately I had several more chances to form an opinion on the talented UC Irvine shortstop, both live and on video, before the year wrapped up.

Six of the quickest catchers of the 2010 ABL at a glance As someone who’s just kind of dabbling into the scouting world, one thing I really liked to take to the park with me this season was the stopwatch. A lot of other scouting info can only be gained only through experience and judgment, [...]

Panners will be “adjunct member” in 2011; make full return in 2012 Sightings such as this may be more rare in 2011 as the Goldpanners will play an emergency- shortened schedule. Faced with overwhelming costs imposed by the loss of the team’s “Olympic Village” housing complex and debt racked up from running without access to [...]

Batter scouting video on Andy Mee, Florida Atlantic rightfielder, who played for the Mat-Su Miners in the 2010 Alaska Baseball League season. Mee is a talented two-way player who can hit, pitch, and cover a lot of ground in right.

Dirk Hayhurst’s book will open your eyes to a baseball world few ever see. They say a writer should read more than he writes; maybe that explains why I’m such a hack. I read at glacially slow speed, which I guess is fitting for an Alaskan. Most of the instances in which I pick up [...]

All the random bits for the past week or so. PG agreed with the league and picked Piscotty to be the #1 prospect of 2010. Hey guys. What a week it’s been; we had three articles posted right off the bat and then I got bogged down in that dang Goldpanners draft eligible list (which [...]