Fans of last year’s Vancouver Canadians might remember a gangly sidearm pitcher from around Toldeo way by the name of Zak Basch. The man known as Snake to his teammates (if you’d ever seen him pitch, you’d understand why) didn’t have the best of seasons, which is hardly shocking when you consider he’s a situational player who throws in the low 80’s, suddenly shoved into situations that are not exactly built for his game. Perhaps less surprising was the news that Basch had been let go after the season.

This actually pissed me off, because besides Basch’s obvious speed deficiency, he actually had a lot of snap to his game. Zak liked to throw from the right hand edge of the mound, which allowed his sidearm deliveries to come in from way behind the right-handed hitters, and this technique won him the MVP award for the Alaska Goldpanners. That led to Basch being picked up by Boston in the 13th round of the 2003 draft, finishing out the season with the Lowell Spinners before being traded to Oakland, who put him in Vancouver while they tried to work out what to do with a submariner. Their final answer: nothing.

Basch was one of several players who were devastated at the weak performance the Canadians brought forward in the playoffs in 2004, because while the starters knew they would be back to fight another day, for guys like Basch, chances were that this would be the last time they would ever have the opportunity to fight for a championship, so anything less than a 100% effort was just not good enough for him.

Zak was a fighter, but more than that, he was a great addition to team chemistry. He had Scot Drucker reading books, something Drucker admitted was “kinda new” to him, but he sucked them down like coca-cola. Zak always had the bullpen laughing, and though the coaches never cottoned to his style, he had the support of a good number of fans, despite the lack of innings he was given on the mound. We just knew that when Snake was on the mound, hitters were going to be freaking out a little at what was coming their way, and where it was coming from.

I should also point out that Zab Basch was (and is) a friend. He didn’t start the season that way, but the first time I spoke to him, he was genuinely interested in talking, learning about people, and sharing the knowledge that he had. And books.. he loved to share books.

Zak loaned me his copy of The Great American Novel, and when I returned it to him, he and Ben Winslow invited me out to go drinking with the team that night. I was actually on a date at the time - a first date, no less, so I dragged this girl along to Gastown, and then the Roxy(!), and we partied with the ball team for an evening - and it was great. I ended up marrying the girl, and Basch takes every chance he can to remind me that he set me up with my wife (not entirely true, but I hate to burst his bubble - haha).

Anyhow, Zak obviously wasn’t happy that he’d been cut by Oakland after last season, and though I pushed him and pushed him to not give up on the dream, he was pretty clear-minded on it all. “All the teams have scouting reports on me, and they all know I’m available. I’m not going to be that guy playing when I’m 30, trying to get one more season and refusing to see the obvious. I’m okay with it. I’m never going to the majors, so why kill myself trying?”

Fair enough. So what next for a guy with a psych degree, a hometown in Ohio, a few years of professional baseball under his belt and a whole lot of time on his hands? That’s right - commentating.

Basch had played in the Alaska League for a couple of years through college, and had turned out for the Midnight Sun game both years. For those that don’t know what the Midnight Sun game is, it’s a game played during the summer solstice, when, in Fairbanks Alaska, the sun is basically out 24/7. The game starts at midnight, and is played with no lights, come what may. If it’s cloudy, if you can’t see the ball and it’s 2am - so be it, the lights aren’t coming on.

Basch was a hit in the Alaska Leagues, closing for his team with a 0.62 ERA over 43 innings (the all-time league record), and taking home the MVP, an honor shared by some of the greats of the game. He always said he’d be back, but who knew that when he came back he’d by on a microphone, calling the play-by-play as his old team, the Goldpanners, won yet another Solstice game?

I’ve listened to Zak’s call, and it’s great stuff. He’s a funny guy, got a great baseball mind, and he’s as real as anyone you’ll meet. And he’s okay with the fact that he throws like a girl (ooooh!). So if you’re looking for a commentator for the radio call at a team near you, do yourself a favor and drop Zak a line… Vancouver Canadians, you could do worse!

And if you’d like to know more about Zak, and the Midnight Sun game, this ESPN article is worth a look. Dude’s a freaking rockstar.

PS: You’ve just got to see this video clip - it’s from the 2003 solstice game when a small plane crash landed right behind the right field wall… only in Alaska!