College baseball in Palmer, Alaska

There may not be a better way to spend a summer evening than watching the Mat-Su Miners baseball team play in Palmer. The Mat-Su Miners are the Mat-Su Valley's team in the Alaska Baseball League, which is also comprised of the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks, the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, the Anchorage Bucs and the Peninsula Oilers down in Kenai.

Players from around the country come to Alaska once their college seasons conclude to play summer league here. The Alaska Baseball League is known as one of the top leagues for college players, and scouts from Major League Baseball attend many of the games, with an eye on the future. The Alaska Baseball League is also noteworthy in that it uses wooden/wooden composite bats, unlike the college leagues, which is one reason players come to the ABL.

The Miners play their home games at Hermon Brothers Field, on the Alaska State Fairgrounds. With a stunning view of the Chugach Mountains, Hermon Brothers Field is one of the most scenic ballparks in the country. Games feature a full concession stand, beer shack, raffles and more. Tickets are only $4 per person and $2 for youth and seniors, so it is very affordable to take a family to the game.

The Miners begin their season the first week of June each summer, and continue through the first weekend in August, culminating their season with the Top of the World Playoffs in Anchorage.