July 11, 2006

Carbondale, IL (CSTV U-WIRE) -- It was the Fourth of July - the biggest day of the Anchorage Bucs' 2006 season - and Kevin Koski worked trash detail, picking up refuse after the previous night's game.

While picking up trash is not glamorous, Koski, a senior centerfielder for the Salukis, is a "lunch-pail guy" in coach Mike Garcia's eyes.

"He's a blue-collar kid - I love him," Garcia said. "He puts in extra time working and he's basically the last guy to leave the park at night."

With more than 5,000 fans expected for Tuesday's double-header against the cross-town rival Glacier Pilots, Koski had some competition as the last guy at the stadium. A fireworks show, scheduled after Game 2, started when the sun set at around 11:30 p.m., keeping plenty of fans in the stands.

That's life in the Alaska Baseball League - hard work and late nights - and it suits Koski just fine. Especially when he thinks about the future.

Koski is allowed to play in these leagues and still play for the Salukis because they are both non-salary leagues.

"I'm here working on hitting with a wood bat since that's what you hit with when you play pro ball," Koski said.

And if a player earns a spot in the ABL, a wood bat league rivaling the prestigious Cape Cod League where Koski played last summer, pro ball is not far off. Hall of Fame players Dave Winfield and Tom Seaver spent summers in the Land of the Midnight Sun. So did Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi.

The Bucs alone boast 52 former athletes who now play professional baseball at all levels. Not bad company for a blue-collar kid willing to work.

Batting .346, Koski sparks Garcia's pressure-filled offensive attack. Leaning on lessons learned while playing at college baseball powerhouse Cal State Fullerton, Garcia likes his leadoff men to run the bases with abandon.

Koski fits the bill.

The speedy outfielder leads the Bucs in steals - with 14 - and reaches base on average twice a game. Not bad numbers for a guy picking up hot dog wrappers. Not bad for a guy in Garcia's offense, either.

"I'm aggressive," Garcia said. "He gets on and we run with him."

Koski runs in the outfield, as well. Playing without an error - and with two outfield assists - in 20-plus games, Koski keeps base hits to a minimum. Five outfielders, including roommate and Missouri Valley Conference rival Matt Bolt from Illinois State, vie for playing time but Koski's defense and hitting keep his name in ink on the top of every lineup card.

"He's been tremendous," Garcia said. "Nothing falls in the outfield."

Part of the reason for Koski's yeoman-like work with the Bucs is a sense of lingering disappointment after the 2006 MLB draft. Koski's .300 average last season - an 80-point dip from his sophomore campaign - coupled with signing issues, kept him out of the draft and Koski refuses to forget it.

"I didn't have as good of a year as I did as a sophomore so I'll have to play better next season," Koski said. "Seeing guys who you think you're as good as get drafted kind of motivates you to prove that you belong with them."

And Alaska, almost 4,000 miles from Carbondale, is a proving ground on the way to professional baseball.

Unlike last season, when he battled a shoulder injury while at "The Cape", an injury-free Koski puts up top-10 numbers in batting average, hits, runs and stolen bases.

Learning is part of the program in Alaska and Koski proved an eager student.

Lesson number one from Garcia was shortening a swing he sees as "big for a little guy." Some players might scoff at advice on a swing good enough for a .326 career average at SIU but for Koski, learning is all in a day's work. Garcia appreciates the effort and hopes Koski is just the beginning of an Alaska Pipeline from Carbondale to Anchorage.

"I'll be here for three seasons and after working with Koski, I hope (SIU) coach (Dan) Callahan sends some more guys my way," Garcia said.

Given the presence of several former SIU players in professional baseball, Garcia just might get a couple more Salukis on their ways to the pros.

If they talk to Koski about his experience in the ABL, expect them to pack lunch-pails.

(C) 2006 Daily Egyptian via CSTV U-WIRE