Q&A with Zak Basch

Zak Basch is a former collegiate, Alaska League and minor league pitcher. In 2002 he pitched the Goldpanners to their record sixth NBC World Series championship. Since hanging up the spikes, Zak has kept his hand in the game in various capacities and now works for the Triple-A Reno Aces.

Zak has been a supporter of 49th State Hardball since nearly the beginning (way back three months ago!) and has offered his assistance on numerous occasions. He was kind enough to answer some of my questions recently and share his perspective on life and baseball.

49th State Hardball: You played for the Goldpanners in 2001 and 2002 before being drafted by the Red Sox in 2003. What have you been up to since then?

Zak Basch: After a brief and less-than-illustrious professional career, I returned to the ABL in 2005 as the color commentator for PannerVision. That glamorous gig re-introduced me to (Bucs GM) Dennis Mattingly, who offered me a job as the Assistant General Manager of the Anchorage Bucs in the fall of 2005.  I worked for the Bucs for a little over two years, before spending a year working for the Alliance for American Legion Baseball, an Alaskan non-profit that serves high school and American Legion baseball in the state.



I left Alaska in January of 2009 to take a job with the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  I now work in Media Relations/PR for both the Aces and Reno's NBA Development League team, the Reno Bighorns.  I tried to get away from sports a few times, but I couldn't do it.

49HB: Many players come to the Alaska League hoping it will lead to a long professional career, but your life has taken a different path. Can you tell us how your experience with the ABL has been beneficial for you off the field?

ZB: Honestly, the ABL helped me on so many levels.  First, if you can survive the ABL, I think you can survive any league in the Lower 48.  The travel, the places you stay, the grind...it's just as tough in the ABL as it is in the minor leagues, I truly believe that.  The season is shorter in Alaska, but players are coming off a long college season, so in a sense it's actually longer.

My time working for the Bucs and Panners helped me out professionally as well.  Don Dennis and Dennis Mattingly are two of the biggest influences I've had in my life, both personally and professionally.  Don taught me a love and respect for the game, as well as how to be a smart and savvy businessperson.  His eye for spectacle (the Midnight Sun Game especially) and his respect for the history and traditions of baseball are unmatched at any level of baseball that I've been a part of.

Dennis Mattingly taught me about work ethic, pride and professionalism. Nobody that I've ever worked with has worked harder than Dennis, and that definitely carries over to what I do now.  Minor league PR people notoriously work longer hours than just about anyone, and without my time with Dennis I don't think I would be able to handle the grind as well as I do now.

49HB: If you could go back and re-live one moment that you experienced in a Goldpanners uniform, what would it be?

ZB: I have always said that winning the NBC World Series is my proudest moment as a baseball player, even more than being chosen in the MLB Draft.  The guys on that team were (and still are) incredibly special, and winning a championship for Ed Cheff is something that I will never forget.  I'll never forget being on the mound when the last out was made, and am still thankful that Coach Cheff left me in the game to experience that moment, even though we had a closer in the bullpen (Ryan Schroyer) who hadn't given up a run all summer. Giving the Panners their 6th NBC championship (still the most all-time) is something that I'd love to relive.

49HB: You're a veteran of A-ball; do you think the ABL helps prepare collegiate players for the minor leagues, and how so?

ZB: First of all, being a veteran of A-ball is nothing to be especially proud of, so thanks for bringing that up! But seriously, I truly believe the Alaska League is the best preparation for a professional career.  The long bus rides, less-than-4-star accommodations, playing every day, the level of coaching and playing...the ABL is as close to the minor leagues as you'll get.  The Cape plays almost every day, but the travel is not as intense. Other leagues travel, but end up only playing a few days per week.  Guys might not realize it at the time, but they'll look back and realize that one summer in the ABL got them closer than 3 or 4 years in college ever did.

49HB: As someone who has been there before, what advice do you have to offer the players who are coming up to AK for the first time in 2010?

ZB: Two things: first, remember that you are there to get better and prepare yourself for the next level.  It's not a vacation, and it's not time away from your college team.  If anything, you should work harder in summer ball, since you'll be swinging a wood bat and likely playing against better competition.  If you can make it in the ABL, you'll be that much closer to succeeding in professional baseball.

With that said, you still need to have fun and appreciate where you're at.  It will likely be most players' first and only time in Alaska, so take advantage of it.  You can play video games any time, but you only have two months to experience one of the most amazing places in the world.  Go fishing, climb a mountain, go see Denali.  You'll regret it if you never get out and experience Alaska.  Your host families will all help you find fun things to do...ask them.  And have fun.


I'd like to say thanks once again to Zak for taking the time to speak with us. If I ever see you at the park I'll buy you a cold one!


Photos courtesy of Goldpanners.com