Sports

A nanny and kid cool down on a patch of snow near the author. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: The (Hunting) New Year

Of all the ways to begin a new year, the agreed upon one is the least interesting. That is not to say the historical reasoning… Continue reading

A nanny and kid cool down on a patch of snow near the author. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau catcher Isaac Kirsch looks to catch a pop-up foul against Dimond West in the deciding fifth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Gastineau Channel Little League video of game)

Juneau all-stars defeated 14-7 in state Little League championship game

Anchorage’s Dimond West breaks away from earlier close games to win best-of-five series

Juneau catcher Isaac Kirsch looks to catch a pop-up foul against Dimond West in the deciding fifth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Gastineau Channel Little League video of game)
Golfers test their skills at the “chip shot challenge” during the Annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic on Saturday at the Mendenhall Golf Course. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

It’s not easy being on the green

88 participants brave heat, go clubbing on “fast” turf during annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic.

Golfers test their skills at the “chip shot challenge” during the Annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic on Saturday at the Mendenhall Golf Course. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau player connects on a hit against Dimond West during the fourth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage on Sunday. Juneau won the game 3-1, tying the best-of-five series at two games apiece. The deciding fifth game for the state title is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from video of game by Gastineau Channel Little League)

Juneau’s all-star Little League baseball team to play for state title Monday

Win on Sunday ties best-of-five series against Anchorage’s Dimond West at 2-2.

A Juneau player connects on a hit against Dimond West during the fourth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage on Sunday. Juneau won the game 3-1, tying the best-of-five series at two games apiece. The deciding fifth game for the state title is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from video of game by Gastineau Channel Little League)
Samuel and Justine Carlisle, a couple from Asheville, North Carolina, cross the finish line of the Juneau Half Marathon on Saturday at Savikko Park. Organizers of the event, which includes full and half marathons, estimate about half of the participants are from outside Juneau because it is considered a "destination" race. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Trail and Road Runners)

A smokin’ Saturday for big crowd of racers in Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon

Big increase in runners this year who take on full- and half-length courses on hot and hazy day.

Samuel and Justine Carlisle, a couple from Asheville, North Carolina, cross the finish line of the Juneau Half Marathon on Saturday at Savikko Park. Organizers of the event, which includes full and half marathons, estimate about half of the participants are from outside Juneau because it is considered a "destination" race. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Trail and Road Runners)
From left, Martin Truffer and Adam Bucki walk along the gravel moraine of Kennicott Glacier on an 11-hour hike to reach Fireweed rock glacier. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Long-pondered return to a pile of rocks

FIREWEED ROCK GLACIER — “I’ve been thinking of this stuff for the last 20 years,” says Adam Bucki. My friend, soon to be 50, was… Continue reading

From left, Martin Truffer and Adam Bucki walk along the gravel moraine of Kennicott Glacier on an 11-hour hike to reach Fireweed rock glacier. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Juneau’s Riley Morehouse pitches to a Washington state player in the bottom half of the fourth inning in an elimination game Monday during the Little League World Series Northwest Region majors softball tournament in San Bernardino, California. Juneau’s team, representing Alaska after winning the statewide tournament, rallied to a 6-3 lead in the fourth inning after falling behind early, but Washington would take the lead at the end of the inning and go on to win 13-6. (Screenshot from recap video by littleleague.org)

Juneau girls eliminated from Little League World Series regional softball tournament

After dominating statewide tournament, team goes 0-2 at Northwest Region in California

Juneau’s Riley Morehouse pitches to a Washington state player in the bottom half of the fourth inning in an elimination game Monday during the Little League World Series Northwest Region majors softball tournament in San Bernardino, California. Juneau’s team, representing Alaska after winning the statewide tournament, rallied to a 6-3 lead in the fourth inning after falling behind early, but Washington would take the lead at the end of the inning and go on to win 13-6. (Screenshot from recap video by littleleague.org)
Fireweed rock glacier flows within the massif near McCarthy in 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Glaciers made of rock, ice and bear scat

The grizzly hadn’t seen my dog or me, so I yelled and waved my arms. The bear stood, looked in our direction for three unforgettable… Continue reading

Fireweed rock glacier flows within the massif near McCarthy in 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
The author’s wife hikes along a 15-mile alpine trail. The two split the trek into two days. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A stirring experience

There is a point in a long, steep or heavy-pack hike when you look at your feet and accept the speed at which they are… Continue reading

The author’s wife hikes along a 15-mile alpine trail. The two split the trek into two days. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Katelyn Sulser, right, hits a game-defining bases-loaded triple for Juneau, giving her team the lead for good, in the second inning against Anchorage’s Abbot-O-Rabbit in the decisive game of the Majors Softball State Tournament on Saturday at Melvin Park. Juneau scored six runs in the inning to take a 7-2 lead before going on to win 15-5. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).

Two-hit wonder: Juneau wins state softball tournament with pair of three-run shots

Majors team going to regions in California after 15-5 rout against Anchorage club to win series 3-0

Katelyn Sulser, right, hits a game-defining bases-loaded triple for Juneau, giving her team the lead for good, in the second inning against Anchorage’s Abbot-O-Rabbit in the decisive game of the Majors Softball State Tournament on Saturday at Melvin Park. Juneau scored six runs in the inning to take a 7-2 lead before going on to win 15-5. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).
The Alaskan wilderness has been the setting of countless stories which provide inspiration as much as entertainment. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Building your cabin

I am embarrassed to admit that I only recently read “One Man’s Wilderness,” the story of Dick Proenneke. Some stories are legendary and therefore become… Continue reading

The Alaskan wilderness has been the setting of countless stories which provide inspiration as much as entertainment. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Nicole Adair, a 2001 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaat.at Kalé, pitches for the Antiques as teammate Tania Hansen, a 1998 graduate, plays first base and Angi Thibodeau, a 1999 graduate, awaits an opportunity to advance as a member of the Classics during the fourth annual JDHS Softball Alumni Game on Sunday at Melvin Park. (Photo courtesy of JDHS softball)

Annual JDHS alumni softball game results in classy matchup

Closest-ever finish goes down to the wire as participation opened to public for first time.

Nicole Adair, a 2001 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaat.at Kalé, pitches for the Antiques as teammate Tania Hansen, a 1998 graduate, plays first base and Angi Thibodeau, a 1999 graduate, awaits an opportunity to advance as a member of the Classics during the fourth annual JDHS Softball Alumni Game on Sunday at Melvin Park. (Photo courtesy of JDHS softball)
Members of the Juneau Soccer Club’s 2013 Boys team, wearing white and red jerseys, compete in the Starfire Spring Classic soccer tournament in Seattle earlier this month. Five teams with the local club took part in the three-day competition from June 16-18. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Soccer Club)

Juneau Soccer Club takes a title at Seattle tournament

Five local youth teams compete for local club that has grown rapidly the past three years.

  • Jun 26, 2023
  • By Therese Pokorney
  • Soccer
Members of the Juneau Soccer Club’s 2013 Boys team, wearing white and red jerseys, compete in the Starfire Spring Classic soccer tournament in Seattle earlier this month. Five teams with the local club took part in the three-day competition from June 16-18. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Soccer Club)
Dan Rondeau, 69, descends a trail during the Juneau Ridge Race on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A peak experience for over the hill runners

Ski poles, toboggans and space blankets just par for the course at annual Juneau Ridge Race.

Dan Rondeau, 69, descends a trail during the Juneau Ridge Race on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
About 30 people take off from the starting line at the Ben Blackgoat Memorial Run on Saturday morning at the base of Perseverance Trail. The race, named after a Juneau teenage who died in an accident on the trail, was the first by the Juneau Trail and Road Runners since it officially added a nonbinary category for participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A very ordinary, yet extraordinary race for a like-minded teen

Ben Blackgoat Memorial Run first after host adds nonbinary category, but thoughts stay with namesake

About 30 people take off from the starting line at the Ben Blackgoat Memorial Run on Saturday morning at the base of Perseverance Trail. The race, named after a Juneau teenage who died in an accident on the trail, was the first by the Juneau Trail and Road Runners since it officially added a nonbinary category for participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) hovering over a possible snack at Mendenhall Lake on June 13. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted photos of Mother Nature in Southeast Alaska.

  • Jun 16, 2023
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) hovering over a possible snack at Mendenhall Lake on June 13. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
Klas Stolpe / for the Juneau Empire Bob Barger tips his cap after being honored Saturday, June 3, at the 2023 Alaska School Activities Association Baseball State Championships on Sitka’s Moller Field for his lifetime of sports broadcasting in Alaska.

Bob ‘The Voice’ Barger retires

Announcer of Alaska high school sports ices vocal chords

  • Jun 13, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For The Juneau Empire
Klas Stolpe / for the Juneau Empire Bob Barger tips his cap after being honored Saturday, June 3, at the 2023 Alaska School Activities Association Baseball State Championships on Sitka’s Moller Field for his lifetime of sports broadcasting in Alaska.
Runners begin the Ben Blackgoat Memorial Run on Basin Road in 2018. This year’s run will be the first where the Juneau Trail and Road Runners club has an official nonbinary category and registration will be free to nonbinary participants. (Nolin Ainsworth / Juneau Empire File)

Local running club adds nonbinary category

Juneau Trail and Road Runners to celebrate change during Ben Blackgoat Memorial Race on Saturday.

Runners begin the Ben Blackgoat Memorial Run on Basin Road in 2018. This year’s run will be the first where the Juneau Trail and Road Runners club has an official nonbinary category and registration will be free to nonbinary participants. (Nolin Ainsworth / Juneau Empire File)
Stellar’s Jays kissing in a tree May 3 in the North Tee Harbor area. (Courtesy Photo / Glenn Ramsey)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted photos of Mother Nature in Southeast Alaska.

  • Jun 12, 2023
Stellar’s Jays kissing in a tree May 3 in the North Tee Harbor area. (Courtesy Photo / Glenn Ramsey)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File Girls teams face off on the twin courts of the main gym at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School during the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza on Oct. 15, 2022. A proposal being considered by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development to ban transgender females from participating in girls high school sports could take effect before this year’s fall sports season.

Public comment open for statewide transgender sports ban

Proposal barring transgender girls from girls’ high school sports teams to be reconsidered July 26

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File Girls teams face off on the twin courts of the main gym at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School during the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza on Oct. 15, 2022. A proposal being considered by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development to ban transgender females from participating in girls high school sports could take effect before this year’s fall sports season.