Q&A with Dakota Watts - OriolesProspects.com Guest Post + Photos!

I've met a lot of great people since I started blogging, but one of the coolest cats I've had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with is Jordan from OriolesProspects.com. He's down at spring training right now prospect-watching and very kindly offered to keep an eye out for any Alaska Leaguers in the pro ranks. Well, lo and behold, at his first game -- a low-minors game between the Twins and the O's -- he ran into RHP Dakota Watts of the 2007 Goldpanners, who he described as a really nice guy, and who did a quick Q&A session with him:

JT: What made you want to play in the ABL?

DW: It came down to a decision late in the summer where my coaches asked me if I would like to go up there and play. I questioned it at first, but I love baseball and I didn't have anywhere to play at the time. I knew it was a good competition league so I decided to make the move up there.

JT: What advice do you have for college guys who want to go pro?

DW: Play all year round, definitely. You have to be able to play somewhere, at any level. Just try to play at the highest level you can and as much as you can.

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.

Q&A with Brian Bello

Brian Bello was one of the Alaska League's top offensive threats in 2009 and earned a spot on the season's All-ABL team. The Mesa State senior is returning to the Anchorage Bucs for the 2010 season and is looking to improve upon last year's strong showing. I exchanged e-mails with Brian to see how he feels about his upcoming ABL campaign:

49th State Hardball: You're returning to the Bucs after a successful season in 2009. What is your favorite part about playing ball in Alaska?

Brian Bello: I really like the level of talent in the Alaska League. It's a very competitive league which forces players to get better. I also really like the fact that I get to experience Alaska. Many people go their whole lives without getting the opportunity to get out there and I get to visit as well as play baseball.

Q&A with Darian Sandford

Darian Sandford, switch-hitting outfielder from Park University, has signed on to play for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks for the 2010 season. Sandford is a skilled contact hitter who can consistently get on base, and uses his speed and stealing ability to put himself in scoring position. He is easily one of the fastest players in college baseball, was regarded as a top prospect in the MINK league last year, and was chosen as a Player to Watch for the Goldpanners this coming season. I caught up with Darian to find out what he'll bring to the ABL in 2010 and what he hopes to accomplish.

49th State Hardball: What are you looking forward to the most in Alaska and the ABL this season?

Darian Sandford: Over in Alaska I am looking forward to playing in a new atmosphere and facing new challenges. A lot of people underestimate me because of my size [49HB: 5'9", 175lb] and I want to prove people wrong like I did last summer.