Baseball / Bercovich 35 Heading Back to Fairbanks, Alaska in 2020!

Bercovich 35 Heading Back to Fairbanks, Alaska in 2020!

Date:  Source: Headfirst Baseball Academy
 
Mario Iglesias on his Bercovich 35 trip to Fairbanks, Alaska - 2019
 
* We have since been informed that we will have the privilege of returning in the Summer of 2020 and we need to LOAD UP with talent over the next year!
 
As we travel home from Fairbanks, I just want to thank you all for the experiences in Alaska and over the summer.  My goal for this group was that players would all have a team that ranks among their all time favorite and that we would have good competition to take a step toward being ready for the college campus in the Fall.  There is no doubt in my mind that this was accomplished over the summer!  
 
Alaska was flat out AMAZING!  The competition was unlike any we had seen since the older men on the Goldpanners had size, strength and maturity that only comes with age.  I know all who went will never forget this very unique opportunity on and off the field.  The competition was high and you should all be proud of each and every out you recorded, every inning pitched, each hit you got, etc.  NONE of it was a gift and you had to earn every single personal accomplishment!  On the offensive side, Bercovich 35 was led by Tyler Jarman (Sierra), Max Nyrop (St John's), Bradlee Preap (Delta), Ari Solomon (Occidental) and KW Quilici (Ohlone) with Jake Brandel (UC Davis) launching a home run.  Wilbur Berrios (Delta) was the most dominant pitcher for the staff and Justin Rasmussen (Ohlone) also performed well.  I feel we competed well on the field and I know you all fortified relationships and friendships in the dorms (off the field) that will last as you enter college and beyond.
 
I asked parents if they had any input so future families can hear first hand about the Alaska opportunity to make it an easy decision to have this experience...
 
 
Steve Brandel (son Jake attended Monte Vista and is playing at UC Davis) shared...
 
            I would go as far as to say the Alaska trip was a once in a lifetime experience.  This is coming from someone who didn’t even want to go at first.  It was a great bonding experience for the boys, as well as a chance to see up close what college baseball looks like. It was a perfect combination of fun and an opportunity for them to have an idea of what they can expect in the years ahead if they plan on continuing their baseball careers.  The Fairbanks community was down to earth, and welcomed us in with open arms.  They were rooting for us by the end of the week!  I would recommend it to anyone who has an opportunity to go. 
 
 
Jim Quilici (son KW attended Alameda and is playing at Ohlone College) added...
 
            There is no beating the value of the trip to Alaska.  Unlike having to pay for hotels and meals on a multiple-day jaunt to San Diego or Arizona, the cost of this trip is only the airfare plus incidentals, snacks, some groceries, and admission for the local activities.  The host team took care of housing, post game meals and transportation for the boys!  Here are some of the highlights of our trip...
       * The fraternity of the boys living together in college dorms for a week and the "training" for them to survive completely independent of parents (including cooking their own lunches, etc)
      * Playing baseball against competition older and superior to any they've ever played yet and in front of a crowd of 1,000+ fans!  Also, none of us will ever forget "Happy Boy" (their mascot and theme song)!
       * Living in the land of eternal daylight and energy with 20+ hours of sunlight each day
       * There are D1 and D2 coaches for the Goldpanners that did their homework watching some of our players, which may help going forward for those looking to move on from JC ball or for those not satisfied with their four year program of choice. 
       * Chena Hot Springs, where we saw a huge moose, kids drove ATV's, a coach saw a bear and all loved the beauty of Alaska!
       * The Salmon Bake at Pioneer Park is a MUST and many of the guys went and caught fish as well
            This is a trip that I'd have felt foolish denying. They fed us after every single game, which the kids loved!  They even let one dad up in the booth to do a radio interview and announce a couple of players (that was me)!