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| Name |
Keith Benjamin |
| Nickname |
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| Uniform # |
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| Team |
DEA Combo |
| Agency |
Chandler PD (AZ) |
| Assignment |
Det. Sgt. Burglary Division |
| PS.com Nick |
Benji AZ |
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 Age: 41
Sports Background:
All-CIF High School Baseball and Basketball, Junior College All-Conference Baseball and Basketball
Softball History:
Began playing LE softball in 1986 for the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. in California. Started my first tournament in the outfield and after the regular shortstop made a few errors I asked if I could try SS for a few innings. Three diving plays later and I secured the spot. I haven’t given up the Shortstop position since. Jokingly threatened to quit a few times if I had to move to second base though.
Past Police Teams:
Orange Co. Sheriff’s Red/Blue, Arizona Softball Whores
Proudest Moments in Police Softball: Back-to-Back Gold Medals in Vegas with the Whores and DEA Combo. Running the Jim Snedigar Memorial Tournament and coordinating an All-Star softball game against current and former Major League Baseball Players that raised money for the Snedigar Memorial Fund. Presenting Jim Snedigar’s widow with a check for $2000 dollars to be placed into the memorial Fund. Just being able to run onto the field knowing I have a great job that most people cannot perform, and the rest of the population really doesn’t truly understand.
Lowest Moments:
About 16 months or so ago, I couldn’t catch a cold in the infield never mind a ground ball. My back was injured and I ate painkillers like candy to be able to play. Mentally I was a midget and figured it was time to move on. After rehab and some advice from my teammates and other players on other teams, I stuck it out and worked through it. Also missing 6 months in 2000 after tearing my ACL in a PD football practice.
My Game:
I have been touted as the player you hate or think of as being a jerk if you are not on my team, but love as a teammate if I am on your team. Translated into I play every play of every game as hard as I can and talk a whole bunch of crap while doing it. Technology has made the shortstop position more difficult but I think I can still pick it and can turn a double play with the best of them. I managed to get back into the leadoff position with my current team and have been known to hit an occasional bomb or two when needed. I do whatever I can to win and it has always been about the team, not me. I have been very lucky to be recruited and have the opportunity to play along side some great players from the AZ Whores, DEA Combo and Team Vegas.
Future Goals:
I agree with others who has expressed that there are very few younger guys stepping up to play LE softball. (New breed of cop I guess). So I want to thank all the guys in their 40’s and 50’s: Guys like Larry Jones, Jimmy Gomez, Skip Stephenson, Darrell Williams, Donnie Meyer, Dennis Leonard, Andy Wurm, Rick Bass, the rest of the San Diego Gray team and all the other players in their 40’s and 50’s. It is because of the older guys whose competitive drive far exceeds the Monday morning pain and soreness, that LE softball continues to flourish. Hopefully things like the World Series and Policesoftball.com impact younger guys to step up and want to become a part of all of this. Finally, thanks to JB, Del, and Leo; It is because of your ambitions and dedication that a communicative bridge between east and west coast cops has been formed thus promoting camaraderie to its finest.
My Motto:
“It’s the little things in life that matter most.”
And “If you Federal guys could have passed the written test all of you would be city cops or deputies.” |
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| POLICESOFTBALL.COM WORLD SERIES VI |
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Host: PoliceSoftball.com
October 15-17, 2010 (Fri./Sat./Sun.)
Las Vegas, Nv. (Big League Dreams)
The 6th annual PoliceSoftball.com World Series. Home Run Derby. HOF Inductions. 4 Game Min. (2 Round Robin games seeding into Double Elimination) No time limits on Double Elimination games.
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