This is just the second summer since 1974 that the Peninsula Oilers have not played baseball, with the other being in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Michael Tice, who has been involved with the collegiate summer team since 2000 and has been president of the nonprofit Oilers board since 2011, is not enjoying it.

“Knowing that we are not able to field a team is just something that hits you every day,” he said. “It was kind of cool we were able to give up the field for the ASAA state tournament, and then Legion has been able to use the field more this year.

“It doesn’t feel the field is going to waste this year, but no Oilers and it’s just not the same.”

The Oilers board had announced in November 2024 that the team would take 2025 off in order to regroup financially for 2026. In May, the board took a step toward fielding a team next season by deciding to put the team’s building at 601 S. Main Street in Kenai up for sale. The property is listed at $750,000.

Sunday afternoon would have been a perfect day for baseball at Coral Seymour Memorial Park, with the sun splashing down and a wind blowing off Cook Inlet and in from the outfield to pump the pitchers with confidence and fill the batters with dread.

But this particular Sunday, all that wind was doing is flapping a “for sale” sign in front of the Oilers building.

“We’ve been kicking it around for a while and we actually started talking about the process toward the end of the season last year, but we’re finally there,” Tice said. “It’s kind of a necessity now.

“If we want to continue with baseball, we’re going to have to let the building go. We can’t afford it anymore, and bingo is not paying for it.”

Bingo and pull-tabs were a big reason the Oilers were one of the more iconic collegiate summer programs in the country, winning the National Baseball Congress World Series in 1977, 1993 and 1994, and finishing second in 1991, 1999 and 2011.

The team has put over 115 alumni in the major leagues.

The loss of gaming revenue began to catch up with the team in 2010. The Oilers have not won the Alaska Baseball League or competed in Wichita, Kansas, at the World Series since 2011.

Tice said bingo is down to one night a week. That’s not enough to justify keeping the building.

The Oilers president said the team will look to rent out a new space for an office, pull-tabs and, if it remains worthwhile, bingo.

“We just want to make sure the public knows that we’re selling the building, but we’re not going out of business,” Tice said. “We’re not quitting.”

The building, which is 10,500 square feet and on about an acre in Old Town Kenai, has been with the organization since 1992.

In addition to the bingo hall, the building also has the 28-bed bunkhouse known as “The Hilton” that has housed many visiting teams, and thus many future major leaguers, over the years.

There also is a four-bedroom apartment where the coaching staff has stayed in recent years.

Tice said the Oilers still owe $135,000 to the bank, but with a season costing about $120,000 to put on, the sale of the building would give the club new life.

“We’re hoping it bankrolls not only a season, but a way to put enough money in the bank to have a little nest egg for future seasons,” Tice said.

The Oilers president said it also is important to use the money to get the Oilers some attention in the community again in order to do fundraising.

Tice said a planned fundraising event last winter was canceled due to lack of interest.

He also hasn’t heard from as many people as he would have hoped that the team is missed.

“I don’t know what to think about it,” Tice said. “I don’t know if it means as much to the community as I thought it meant to the community.

“Maybe it doesn’t. Maybe it’s just one of those things that they enjoy while it’s here.”

The ABL allowed the Oilers to take a year off and regroup.

“There hasn’t been anybody reaching out and asking how they can help us,” Tice said of the league. “Let’s put it that way.”

Tice said it takes money to make money.

“If everything falls into place, you’ll see the biggest Gusher you’ve seen in a decade, because we’re back, you know?” Tice said of the traditional winter fundraiser for the Oilers. “It’s time to come out and really support us.

“Let’s get this whole thing started again.”

In 2024, the Oilers celebrated their 50th season. Tice said if everything works out with the sale of the building, the organization will start a new chapter in 2026.

“We’re starting over,” he said. “In order to get through this, we’ve sold all of our vehicles. We’re getting ready to sell the building.

“Everything we do has to be redone from the ground up as far as re-doing all of our transportation and housing.”

Tice is hoping to inject a little life into the organization with the Oilers All-Star Family Field Day Fundraiser at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai on Saturday, July 5, from noon to 4 p.m.

Admission is free, while game tickets will be available to purchase inside.

Tice said the Oilers will have games for kids and adults. Examples are a three-legged race, sack race, ring toss, batting cage and speed pitch booth.

There will be three food trucks and the beer garden will be open.

“We’re just hoping it’s more of a get-together, you know, ‘Hey, we’re still here,’” Tice said. “People will come and play games and all that, hopefully it’ll raise a bit of money, but it’s more or less to let people know we’re still here.”