Alumni classic baseball game pits varsity team against
graduates
Although there won’t be any winners or losers, alumni coach Nick
Gonzales is hoping the game is played the way PJ Galvan used to
play it. The fifth annual PJ Galvan Alumni Classic will be held
Saturday at the Babe Ruth fields at Veterans Memorial Park in
Hollister, where San Benito alumni will battle the Baler varsity
baseball team in memory of former Haybaler PJ Galvan, who was
tragically killed in a car accident in 2003.
Alumni classic baseball game pits varsity team against graduates
Although there won’t be any winners or losers, alumni coach Nick Gonzales is hoping the game is played the way PJ Galvan used to play it. The fifth annual PJ Galvan Alumni Classic will be held Saturday at the Babe Ruth fields at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister, where San Benito alumni will battle the Baler varsity baseball team in memory of former Haybaler PJ Galvan, who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2003.
Gonzales, SBHS Class of ’04, played baseball with Galvan from Little League on.
“He was a hustler. He never showed weakness or fatigue,” Gonzales said. “His attitude was incredible. We could have been down 20-1 and he would have been playing like it was a one-run ball game.”
Gonzales, who played two years of collegiate ball at Cabrillo, played much of his baseball life with Galvan, including a year on the varsity squad at SBHS.
“I was good friends with him … I knew him really well,” Gonzales said. “He was a really generous kid. He always brought everyone under his wing – a great team player.”
roceeds raised from the alumni event – from the snack bar to the raffles to the admissions – will go to the memorial scholarship in Galvan’s name, as well as to the SBHS baseball program. Haybaler Abel Jacquez was this year’s recipient of the scholarship. Event organizer Kelly Sepulveda said that 18 alumni players had signed up as of Tuesday, but they can sign up for the game up until 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the latest.
“It’s just something that people shouldn’t forget about,” Sepulveda said. “He was a young man that people should remember.”
While first pitch will take place at 6:30 p.m., a home run derby at 5 p.m., is slated to kick off the night’s festivities. The derby is limited to the first 15 entrants, and those competing may sign up until 4:30 p.m. at the latest. Before the game, Rev. Rudy Ruiz of Sacred Heart will give a benediction, Athena Hernandez will sing the national anthem, and PJ’s brother, Bobby, will throw out the first pitch.
“I just want people to come out to the game, have fun and remember him,” Sepulveda said.
Certainly not hoping for a 20-1 ball game, Gonzales, along with Dave Ortiz (Class of ’71), will coach the alumni team – a team that has lost just once since the game’s inception. The lone alumni loss, though, came in 2006 when the varsity squad won a 17-3 blowout. Since then, and as a result of that loss, Gonzales has helped coach the alumni team.
“It’s a pretty good competitive game and there’s a lot of chatter out there,” Gonzales said. “It’s not like a Sunday-league softball game.”
Manager Michael Luna will occupy his usual position as coach of the varsity team. Although he didn’t know Galvan, he heard the former Baler was an excellent student and a great teammate.
“He had a passion not only for the game but for life itself, and he always walked around with a big smile on his face,” Luna said. “As far as the game goes, we do want to win, but there isn’t an emphasis … It’s all about remembering PJ, and what he brought to San Benito baseball and what he brought to the community.”
The fifth annual PJ Galvan Alumni Classic will be held Saturday, June 14 at the Babe Ruth fields at Veterans Memorial Park. Tickets are $5 general admission and $3 for students and seniors. The home run derby will be at 5 p.m., opening ceremonies at 6:15 and first pitch at 6:30. For more information, contact Kelly Sepulveda at 408-804-3111.
