[Alsfastball] Fastpitch softball is dying, but somehow Delbert Benson still manages to keep the game alive.

[Al Doran]

http://www.mlive.com/sports/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1104855308313290.xml



Local player earns Hall honor

Sunday, January 4, 2005
By Mike Spencer
TIMES SPORTS WRITER

Fastpitch softball is dying, but somehow Delbert Benson still manages to 
keep the game alive.

The 56-year-old Munger resident, who played competitively for three decades 
starting in 1967 with the Akron Merchants, continues to keep the fastpitch 
fires burning by coaching three different teams.

For his coaching efforts, Benson will be inducted into the Michigan Amateur 
Softball Association Hall of Fame on Jan. 22. The ceremony will be held 7 
p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Midland.


"I'm trying to promote the game that has given me the most fun I've ever 
had in my life," said Benson, who currently coaches both the Munger 
Bulldogs and Munger Firemen and has taken 20 teams to the ASA Junior 
Olympic Boys Fastpitch National Championships. "The game is still going 
downhill, but boy I keep hoping we hit the bottom and start to rebound 
sometime soon."

Benson, who started playing shortstop for the Akron Merchants, was hard to 
put out from the left side of the plate.

"Del earned a reputation as being the toughest out to get on his team," 
said Vassar's Jim Volk, Del's first manager and now an MASA district 
commissioner and board member. "He learned how to play the game, starting 
with the bunting game and he adjusted.

"Even today, when he gets an occasional at bat, you can't get him. He has 
an eye for the game."

"Del was a competitor," said former Auburn catcher Chet Beane, who played 
against Benson but now is glad to have him as his side coaching the Midland 
Explorers. "He was a good, all-around player. And he always hit the ball to 
left or left center. He was hard to strike out."

Benson could also play the field.

"Del was a steady infielder," Volk recalled. "He didn't have a great arm or 
great range. But he got to the ball and he got the outs."

Benson, one of eight new inductees, said he was honored but surprised at 
the his election.

"Every time the phone rings, I wonder if it's the MASA changing their 
minds," said Benson jokingly.


Benson, a plant manager for Fairgrove's Archer Daniels Midland Co., 
competed in two ASA nationals.

"I've met a lot of great friends, but I I'll never forget the first 
Merchants team in 1972 to go to the Class C state finals," said Benson. 
"Back then you had to win seven or eight games in the districts or 
regionals. It wasn't easy."

Another highlight was playing in Bay City in the mid-1970s in a league that 
included Saginaw and Midland ballclubs.

"We were really good and we were playing against the best teams in the 
country," said Benson. "It was special just to play that caliber of ball 
for the first time."

He got into coaching with the Midland Metros and was instrumental in 
organizing the Munger Bulldogs in 1979.

Now Benson divides his time between the Class A Munger Bulldogs, a team 
comprised mostly of players 23-and-under, and the Class D Munger Firemen, a 
group of 19-and-under players who compete in the Reese/Vassar league. Both 
teams are sponsored by the Munger Firemen.

In 23-and-under nationals, Benson has guided the Bulldogs to one title and 
another second place finish. In the 19-and-under nationals, he has two 
runner-up finishes and three thirds.

"With his organizational and leadership skills, Del has helped keep 
fastpitch thriving in the Thumb and mid-Michigan area," said Volk. "He is 
held in high esteem by his fellow managers, players, umpires, league 
directors and commissioners.


"Through the game he loves, he has helped to keep fastpitch softball alive 
today."

Other inductees include: Jerry Henning, former Bay City Made Rite 
player/manager; Dave Ganton, Reese, player; Jim Stankowski, Scottville, 
manager; the late Ron Myers, Shepherd, meritorious service; Kevin Ryan, 
Brighton, umpire; Jerry Rosevear, Petoskey, meritorious service; and the 
late Ralph Ward, Saginaw, manager.

Tickets for the induction are $30, but must be purchased by Friday. Tickets 
are available through the players or the MASA office, 3316 Isabella St., 
Midland or by phoning (989) 835-5821.



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