Extra Innings

Bob Benton Honored for His 30 Years of Dedication to PPBA

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Over the last three decades, the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association has grown by leaps and bounds thanks in large part to the tireless dedication of longtime Commissioner and local resident Bob Benton, who was honored by PPBA coaches at closing ceremonies June 9 following another successful season of Pony action at the Field of Dreams complex that will be his lasting legacy.   

“I replaced Ron Willens about 30 years ago [in 1989],” recalled Benton, who lives in the Alphabet Streets and is an active member of the Palisades. “The biggest challenge has been getting other board members to agree to redraft every year to try and keep the league as fair and competitive as possible.”

Benton moved to town shortly after opening his sporting goods store, Bentons Sports Shop, on Swarthmore in May of 1982. It soon became one of the Village’s most recognizable businesses.

“I played all sports growing up but baseball was my first love,” Benton admitted. “I listened every night to Vin [Scully] on my transistor radio. I had an arm injury early in my career but I helped put myself through college by announcing the baseball games at Santa Clara University.”

With Benton’s guidance, Park Advisory Board member and local  youth coach Mike Skinner directed a community-driven campaign to expand, renovate and enhance the four playing fields at the Palisades Recreation Center following the completion of the new gym. The state-of-the-art facility was officially dedicated at the PPBA Pancake Breakfast on March 20, 2004. Benton was among those who nominated Skinner for Citizen of the Year (which he won).

“I love seeing young players finding our game and learning to love it,” said Benton, who also  enjoys dressing in red, white and blue and announcing the Palisades Will Rogers Run every Fourth of July. “My fondest memory is seeing the opening of the Field of Dreams. I’m most proud that my dream, that park, came true and that we have kept it going ever since its opening.”

Benton’s three boys—Mike, Chris and Greg—all played in the PPBA while going to Corpus Christi School and later attended Loyola High. Mike and Chris graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder and Greg from the University of San Francisco.All three went into the work force after college and Chris is married with a 10-month-old son, Henry.

Four teams, two in the Pinto Division and two in the Mustang Division, were added this season.