Hermon Brothers Field - Mat-Su Miners
- Paul Baker
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Mat-Su Miners
2075 Glenn Highway
Palmer, AK 99654
Year Opened: 1976
Capacity: 1,300
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Rally in the Valley
Mat-Su is shorthand for Matanuska-Susitna, the borough in which the town of Palmer, Alaska is located. Palmer is the home of the Mat-Su Miners, one of the five teams in the Alaska Baseball League. The team began play in 1976 as the Valley Green Giants, an expansion team owned by the Alaska Goldpanners, another ABL team. In 1980 the team severed ties with the Goldpanners and rebranded to its current moniker, which it has used since.
The Miners play their home games at Hermon Brothers Field. The field was built in 1976 by a crew of volunteers, and has seen constant renovations over recent years. Over the past two decades nearly every structure on the site has been newly built or renovated thanks to efforts by volunteers and grants from the community. The field was named in honor of the Hermon brothers, owners of Hermon Brothers Construction, who were instrumental in the building of the field.
The Miners have won nine ABL championships and two National Baseball Congress World Series, in 1987 and 1997. Over seventy Miner alumni have gone on to play in the Major Leagues, including Craig Counsell, Jeff Brantley, Steve Trachsel and Brandon Duckworth.
Food & Beverage 3
There is a concession stand located on the concourse behind home plate. It serves up a decent array of food, consisting mainly of standard ballpark fare. Anchoring the menu are hot dogs and burgers, with ballpark favorites such as nachos, pretzels and popcorn available. Of course, there are snacks sold here as well, including ice cream treats, peanuts, candy and cracker jack.
A few unique items can be found on the menu. Hot dogs can be supersized into a “Miner Dog,” or enjoyed on a stick as a corn dog. If your diet requires alternates to a standard burger, the Miners have you covered, with veggie burgers and turkey burgers available. Add some chili to your dog or nachos, or enjoy a cup on the side. Want some soup? You can order a cup of noodles.
Coca-Cola products are featured at Hermon Brothers Field. The beer stand has a good selection of adult beverages, featuring craft brews from Bear Paw and Denali Brewing alongside wine and canned drinks.
Atmosphere 2
The game day presentation at Hermon Brothers Field is a fairly simple one. Fans looking for the typical wacky shenanigans and over-the-top promotions so common at ball games today will be missing out. A Mat-Su Miners game features a more traditional experience, lacking all that noise and distraction.
Music is limited to between innings (kudos for the classic rock and hockey organ playlist), and PA announcements are limited to sponsor reads and lineup changes. There are free raffles for fans, and plenty of room for younger fans to run around chasing foul balls. It’s enough to distract you from the mistakes made throughout the game by the folks running the PA and scoreboard. Hopefully they were just having a rough night during Stadium Journey’s visit.
Neighborhood 3
Given Herman Brothers Field’s location on the Fairgrounds, there’s not a whole lot in the immediate vicinity of the ballpark to attract visiting fans. However, there is plenty to do a short drive from the park in “The Valley.” Downtown Palmer is just a couple of miles away along Route One to the north. Among the many options along this route are The Noisy Goose, the Palmer Alehouse, and Turkey Red.
Visitors to the area will also find several local lodging options along Route One in the downtown area, including The Pioneer Motel and the Valley Hotel. Additional choices can be found in nearby Wasilla. If your tastes run towards the major chains, Anchorage is a 45-minute drive away.
Of course, the area surrounding the town of Palmer offers an infinite number of attractions for the visiting baseball fans, whether you head north toward Denali National Park or south towards the city of Anchorage and beyond. If you choose to keep your focus solely on baseball, all five teams in the Alaska Baseball League are located within a three and a half-hour driving radius. If you time your trip to Alaska wisely, the Midnight Sun Baseball Game is held every year on the solstice in Fairbanks, a few hours to the north of Palmer. For a more complete look at all the adventures awaiting you in Alaska, visit TravelAlaska.com.
Fans 3
Since the Alaska League doesn’t release official attendance figures, it can be tough to accurately gauge crowd size, but Stadium Journey visited Palmer on a beautiful Thursday night, with a good-sized crowd on hand. If forced to estimate the size of the crowd, I would guess it approached 500.
As is the case with many of the ballparks in this circuit, it’s a community affair at an ABL game. Many of the fans seem to be regulars, and know each other well from years of attending games together. Even if you’re an outsider or wearing the opposition colors, you’ll be welcomed. Sportsmanship rules the day in small parks like Hermon Brothers Field.
Access 4
Hermon Brothers Field is located adjacent to the Alaska State Fairgrounds, right off of State Route 1, the main route to Anchorage to the south. The ballpark’s entrance is located near the fairgrounds’ Red Gate. Fans will enter the ballpark behind the centerfield fence, and will walk around the field to the seating areas. The Miners provide a pair of golf carts to shuttle those fans around who may not be up to the long walk around.
Seating is available in many sections. An old wooden grandstand is located behind home plate. This is reserved for season ticket holders. Metal bleachers are stretched out down both foul lines, along with picnic tables and some open areas for fans who want to bring their own chairs. In an interesting quirk, the last row of all the bleachers come equipped with plastic bucket seats attached to them.
A paved path stretches around the facility, and while it could use a little maintenance in spots, it serves to make passage around the ballpark easy. Concessions, merchandise, and restroom buildings are easily accessible and lines are not an issue.
For that spectacular view of the Chugach Mountains, and to keep the sun out of your eyes during the game, choose seats on the first base side of the field.
Return on Investment 5
Admission to a Miners game is only four dollars for adults, with youth admitted for two dollars, and seniors, children under age five, and members of the military admitted for no charge. Parking is free in the large lot next to the field. Factor in affordable concessions, and the Miners are a very affordable entertainment option for sports fans in the Valley region.
Extras 2
There is a display on the back side of the press box/main grandstand structure that lists every player to ever play for the Miners since their inception. Each player is listed on a colored tile. These tiles are color coded depending on if the player reached the majors, played professionally, or served in the military. It’s an extensive and unique display.
Another extra point is given for the breathtaking backdrop enjoyed by Hermon Brothers Field. If you sit on the first base side of the field, you may find yourself losing focus from time to time as your gaze wanders from the action on the field to the spectacular peaks of the Chugach Mountains in the distance.
Final Thoughts
Hermon Brothers Field is one of those quaint, small-town ballparks that make stadium journeys so special. With high-quality baseball being played on the field at a most affordable price, you’ll enjoy your visit to Alaska. And oh, that view!
