Getting into the Swing

Honorary Co-Mayors Throw First Pitches to Open PPBA Season

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame infielder Ernie Banks used to say “Hey, let’s play two!” The theme for the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association’s annual Pancake Breakfast last Saturday morning was “Let’s pitch two!”

Co-honorary mayors Janice Goldfinger and Billy Crystal took turns throwing the first pitches to begin the local Pony league’s 2018 season to continue a proud Palisades tradition that started in 1954 on diamonds now known as the Field of Dreams at the Palisades Recreation Center.

“This is amazing… we used to come to pancake breakfasts 30 years ago or so and this building didn’t exist,” said Goldfinger, a producer, actress and Mrs. Billy Crystal since June 1970. “I hope you all understand how special this place is and how fortunate you are to play here, it’s really incredible. We are both Yankees fans, I’m wearing my Yogi Berra shirt for one of the greatest catchers of all time and we’re going to be out here watching some of the games when we can but we’re going to be rooting for all of you—not just the Yankees!”    

“We’ve been here 39 years and what makes the Palisades great is the fact that you cheered umpires this morning… that never happens anyplace,” Crystal added. “From the time my father rolled the ball to me and I rolled it back I’ve loved this game. I’ve played it since I was a kid and Tuesday, March 13 marks the 10th anniversary of my one at-bat in the major leagues for the Yankees against the Pittsburgh Pirates— and my retirement immediately after I struck out. I pulled a hamstring getting dressed. We talk about the Field of Dreams, well I dreamed that I wanted to be a player my whole life and I got my chance to do it. I look at all these beautiful boys and girls here and my message is to keep dreaming and keep playing.”

After that, Janice fired a changeup over the heart of the plate, Billy tossed a sinker that caught the corner and uniformed players took the field to see if they could outwit their opponents and Old Man Rain.       

Janice and Billy were installed jointly as honorary mayors January 20 at the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce’s Comedy Night, hosted by the outgoing mayor and comedian Kevin Nealon and friends.

The Chautauqua residents have two accomplished daughters (actress Jennifer and producer Lindsay) and four grandchildren. Crystal, a 69-year-old actor and comedian from New York, is perhaps best known for his roles in box office hits like “Throw Momma from the Train,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “City Slickers.” In 2001 he directed the HBO sports drama “61” about Yankees teammates Mickey Mantle  (Crystal’s boyhood idol) and Roger Maris in their pursuit to break Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record.

Longtime Commissioner Bob Benton got the festivities started just after 9 o’ clock by recognizing the many coaches, umpires, maintenance crew and this year’s Pancake Breakfast co-chairs Natalie Iwanyk and Sara Dorband.

Don Camacho of the Pirates, the league fundraiser, said: “I want you to imagine a field that is half the size of the park behind me. No fences, no state-of-the-art lighting and no manicured infields. This is what our beloved field looked like 15 years ago, but thanks to the leadership of many in attendance today and generous donations of community members like you, over one million dollars was raised then to transform your field into what you see today. Now, we have a new dream—one that features stadium-style scoreboards at every field. In this dream, PPBA offers live streaming and on-demand broadcasts of your players’ game directly to your desktop or mobile device. And what about sitting in shaded bleachers? We’re dreaming about canopies to keep you protected from the sun. This is possible, but we need your help!”

Benton then presented plaques to Jim Ford and Dan Johnson in appreciation for their many years of coaching and service to the PPBA. He also revealed the pancake breakfast top ticket winners. Third-place seller Owen Camacho got a package of goodies, t-shirts and keychains, second-place seller Conor Stutsman will serve as a bat boy at an upcoming Pepperdine  baseball game and top-selling brothers Ian and Finn Sullivan will get to attend UCLA and Pepperdine baseball camps.

Matty Gottesman, who lives across the street from Benton and plays on Palisades’ Pony team, sang the national anthem.

In the Pinto Division the Cubs and Dodgers got wins as did the Red Sox, Yankees and Cardinals in the Bronco Division.