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Senior baseball league makes the play
When John DeBenedictis couldn’t outrun the center fielder that threw him out at first base last year, he decided to get his knee replaced.
This is, of course, a dramatic turning point for any average baseball player, but DeBenedictis isn’t the average ballplayer.
“I’m 69,” he said, ”but talent-wise,I’m 55.”
DeBenedictis is the oldest current player in the Tri-state 48-plus Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL), which he founded in 1998 and oversees as the league’s commissioner.
For his 50th birthday, his family sent him to a Phillies Dream Week, where he got a chance to play with ex-Phillies players and managers, whom he idolized growing up.
That experience was enough for DeBenedictis to look for a way to let older ballplayers run the diamond again.
He eventually made contact with the International MSBL, whose various leagues are divided by age, starting at 18-plus.
When DeBenedictis started the 48-plus league, there were only four teams that played around his residence in Middletown, Del.
Now, the Tri-state 48-plus MSBL boasts 11 teams, ranging from the Tri-state Indians in southwest New Jersey to the league’s newest club in Bucks County, the Langhorne Phillies.
“This league really took off because there was a need for it,” DeBenedictis said, explaining that this was real baseball, with only minor adjustments to “maximize participation” — but it’s definitely not softball.
Examples of the modifications would be providing a courtesy runner once a batter reaches base or unlimited substitutions for those on defense.
“Just watch ESPN, and watch the slow-motion highlights,” he said, grinning. “It’s just like that.”
Other rule adjustments were reviewed and discussed at the league’s pre-season organizational meeting, which took place in Avondale, Delaware County on Jan. 26.
There, the general and field managers of the 11 teams met and planned for the upcoming regular season, scheduled for nearly every Sunday from April to August.
On game days, each team is required to play double-headers in light of the distance players travel to fields and for better player rotation.
Some of the more heated discussions concerned the need for player recruitment in Montgomery and Bucks counties in order to balance and expand the league.
One suggestion was to adhere to National MSBL standards by lowering the 48-plus league’s eligibility to 45-plus.
“If you drop to 45, there’s going to be some 52- and 55-year-olds that will say ‘I can’t play anymore,’” argued Carl Wilson, the 49-year-old Wilmington Nationals manager.
A consensus was ultimately reached to admit younger players on a case-by-case basis. The league’s official ruling for admission is that a player must be 48 by Dec. 31 of the calendar year.
This problem arose in season’s past, when older players were being benched for not being able to compete against younger players in the league.
By 2004, DeBenedictis founded the 55-plus Saturday league, which won him accolades from the International MSBL.
“None of us dreamed of playing ball at this age,” he said. “I didn’t like the idea of these guys getting less and less playing time.”
Although Debenedictis proudly admits that the 48-plus league can be very competitive, they’re not there to make rivals.
In fact, all teams make it to the playoffs.
“I think it’s one of the best features of the league,” he said.
Once at the end of the regular season, teams are further broken down into an A, B or C playoff division, based on the previous year’s winning percentage. This way, C-division teams won’t have to play A-division teams.
“The games are competitive, but friendly, we’re so glad to still be able to play,” said Dave Hunsberger, the 55-year-old manager of the Delaware Diamondbacks, who drives from Atlantic City to play.
“Other than the baseball, that’s one of the best things about the league,” he said, “the friends.”
Immediately following the meeting was the second annual league banquet in nearby Kennett Square.
There, over 140 members of the league gathered to remember players who have passed on and players who became fathers during their tenure.
The featured speaker was Nick Leyva, Phillies manager from 1989 to 1991. He was reported to speak about the glory of past games, which is the whole reason that some members of the league still play ball.
“It’s what we did as a kid, and it stuck with us,” said Jack Galante, the 59-year-old general manager of the Abington Dodgers. “It’s amazing how our lives revolve around baseball.”
Want to play some baseball? Contact Jack Galante by calling 215-277-5136 or by e-mailing him at j_gal_99@yahoo.com.
When John DeBenedictis couldn’t outrun the center fielder that threw him out at first base last year, he decided to get his knee replaced.
This wouldn’t be exceptional if DeBenedictis was a young free agent in a major league baseball club. Instead, he plays for the Tri-State 48-and-over Men’s Senior Baseball League — actually, he founded it.
When people call Jack Debendictis, his cell phone plays “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
The Historical Society of Fort Washington meets at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of nearly every month. For more information, visit www.amblerhistory.com or call 215-646-6065.
This is, of course, a dramatic turning point for any average baseball player, but DeBenedictis isn’t the average ballplayer.
“I’m 69,” he said, ”but talent-wise,I’m 55.”
DeBenedictis is the oldest current player in the Tri-state 48-plus Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL), which he founded in 1998 and oversees as the league’s commissioner.
For his 50th birthday, his family sent him to a Phillies Dream Week, where he got a chance to play with ex-Phillies players and managers, whom he idolized growing up.
That experience was enough for DeBenedictis to look for a way to let older ballplayers run the diamond again.
He eventually made contact with the International MSBL, whose various leagues are divided by age, starting at 18-plus.
When DeBenedictis started the 48-plus league, there were only four teams that played around his residence in Middletown, Del.
Now, the Tri-state 48-plus MSBL boasts 11 teams, ranging from the Tri-state Indians in southwest New Jersey to the league’s newest club in Bucks County, the Langhorne Phillies.
“This league really took off because there was a need for it,” DeBenedictis said, explaining that this was real baseball, with only minor adjustments to “maximize participation” — but it’s definitely not softball.
Examples of the modifications would be providing a courtesy runner once a batter reaches base or unlimited substitutions for those on defense.
“Just watch ESPN, and watch the slow-motion highlights,” he said, grinning. “It’s just like that.”
Other rule adjustments were reviewed and discussed at the league’s pre-season organizational meeting, which took place in Avondale, Delaware County on Jan. 26.
There, the general and field managers of the 11 teams met and planned for the upcoming regular season, scheduled for nearly every Sunday from April to August.
On game days, each team is required to play double-headers in light of the distance players travel to fields and for better player rotation.
Some of the more heated discussions concerned the need for player recruitment in Montgomery and Bucks counties in order to balance and expand the league.
One suggestion was to adhere to National MSBL standards by lowering the 48-plus league’s eligibility to 45-plus.
“If you drop to 45, there’s going to be some 52- and 55-year-olds that will say ‘I can’t play anymore,’” argued Carl Wilson, the 49-year-old Wilmington Nationals manager.
A consensus was ultimately reached to admit younger players on a case-by-case basis. The league’s official ruling for admission is that a player must be 48 by Dec. 31 of the calendar year.
This problem arose in season’s past, when older players were being benched for not being able to compete against younger players in the league.
By 2004, DeBenedictis founded the 55-plus Saturday league, which won him accolades from the International MSBL.
“None of us dreamed of playing ball at this age,” he said. “I didn’t like the idea of these guys getting less and less playing time.”
Although Debenedictis proudly admits that the 48-plus league can be very competitive, they’re not there to make rivals.
In fact, all teams make it to the playoffs.
“I think it’s one of the best features of the league,” he said.
Once at the end of the regular season, teams are further broken down into an A, B or C playoff division, based on the previous year’s winning percentage. This way, C-division teams won’t have to play A-division teams.
“The games are competitive, but friendly, we’re so glad to still be able to play,” said Dave Hunsberger, the 55-year-old manager of the Delaware Diamondbacks, who drives from Atlantic City to play.
“Other than the baseball, that’s one of the best things about the league,” he said, “the friends.”
Immediately following the meeting was the second annual league banquet in nearby Kennett Square.
There, over 140 members of the league gathered to remember players who have passed on and players who became fathers during their tenure.
The featured speaker was Nick Leyva, Phillies manager from 1989 to 1991. He was reported to speak about the glory of past games, which is the whole reason that some members of the league still play ball.
“It’s what we did as a kid, and it stuck with us,” said Jack Galante, the 59-year-old general manager of the Abington Dodgers. “It’s amazing how our lives revolve around baseball.”
Want to play some baseball? Contact Jack Galante by calling 215-277-5136 or by e-mailing him at j_gal_99@yahoo.com.
When John DeBenedictis couldn’t outrun the center fielder that threw him out at first base last year, he decided to get his knee replaced.
This wouldn’t be exceptional if DeBenedictis was a young free agent in a major league baseball club. Instead, he plays for the Tri-State 48-and-over Men’s Senior Baseball League — actually, he founded it.
When people call Jack Debendictis, his cell phone plays “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
The Historical Society of Fort Washington meets at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of nearly every month. For more information, visit www.amblerhistory.com or call 215-646-6065.
