It took all nine innings before the San Benito High alumni
baseball team was able to pull out an 8-7 victory over the varsity
team in the First Annual P.J. Galvan Classic Saturday at Veterans’
Memorial Park.
It took all nine innings before the San Benito High alumni baseball team was able to pull out an 8-7 victory over the varsity team in the First Annual P.J. Galvan Classic Saturday at Veterans’ Memorial Park.
The stands were packed with people wanting to show their support and watch a good game at the same time.
“I think it is the most people I have seen at the park ever,” said San Benito varsity coach Derek Barnes. “It was kind of overwhelming. It was a fun night and a loose night as far as coaching. We were more there to enjoy two teams playing for a good cause. It was the game that baseball should be. It was the game people start off playing as little kids.”
Although both teams turned in a strong efforts, winning the game was a secondary concern. Most were content to commemorate a popular former teammate who passed away in a car accident.
It was a time for the players to bring out their gloves that in some cases hadn’t been used for many years. But though the mothballs were dusted off and the gloves were oiled to loosen up years of age, it didn’t seem to help. Some players found that their skills had also been eaten by moths.
But most of the alumni players, looked like they were still on the varsity team. Many have recently graduated and have played collage ball.
The informal setting and barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers provided a great atmosphere for the hundreds of fans in attendance. Chuck Schallhorn handled the announcing duties, and the anthem was sung by San Benito student Crystal Duran.
The dugouts on both sides were cleared, as the players lined the field to get the best view and sometimes even be a part of the action. Both teams batted through their entire rosters, and substitutions were more frequent than in a Little League game.
“It was great to see all the old players,” said junior Anthony Vasquez, who had a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6. “We had a lot of people come out to watch us battle back and forth. They saw a really good game.”
“It’s cool hanging out with everyone,” added varsity shortstop Karson Klauer. “It’s just a good good feeling.”
Alumni players along the sideline reminisced about old times and how much easier it was to play back then. Somehow turning a double play seemed easier 20 pounds ago.
The raffle raised about $500 for the PJ Galvan Scholarship Fund, Barnes said. The total amount raised was not tabulated at press time.
Barnes said he hopes to have two teams next year to accommodate the players who showed up at the last minute and weren’t able to play.
P.J.’s brother Bobby received a big ovation when he threw out the first pitch and whenever he got up to bat.
“It was good to see everyone out,” Bobby said. “PJ loved the game a lot. We never played in high school together, but we always played in our front yard.”
One of the highlights of the game was the inning 49-year-old Dave Ortiz threw. Ortiz pitched during the early 70’s for the Balers and was the oldest player for the alumni. He gave up a couple runs to allow the varsity to tie the game but had some errors behind him.
“I was throwing mostly fastballs,” Ortiz said. “They kept getting slower and slower. But they were staying straight, and they weren’t hitting them. When I threw a curve ball, I hung it, and they hit it. We should have got out of the inning without them scoring.”
Chris Fischer had an RBI double in the sixth inning past the diving left fielder to put the alumni up 3-2. And Lee Osbourne knocked in another two runs during the inning.
Nick Gonzales made the most of his 14th batter spot for the varsity team with three stolen bases, an RBI and a run.
Basketball coach David Kaplansky showed he can still hustle on the base paths, breaking up a double play late in the game.
The varsity team had a couple chances to score in the ninth inning, but pitcher Eric Diaz Jr. was able to get out of the jam, allowing just one run. He gave a little pump fake and pointed to the sky.
“All the guys are here for one reason – for PJ,” said coach Dave Villas, who has coached most of the players during his eight years at San Benito. “He was a great guy to coach. He was a fun-loving player. He was always laughing and joking around.”
