Panther Alumni Game Today

Jim Bowles, the head coach of the Benicia High School varsity baseball team is pitching tonight, against the varsity team he normally coaches, at the annual alumni baseball game at Fitzgerald Field.  The first game will start at 4:00 and will feature the junior varsity squad playing against older alumni. 

After that game there will be a home run derby starting around 6:00 p.m.  The squad will square off against the younger alumni starting at 7:30.

"I'm going to give it a shot," said Bowles, a little wistfully.  "My team mate, Kent Shackelford, from the 1983 team is coming back."

Athletic Director Craig Holden plans on playing in both games.  He'll use the JV game as a way to get his swing back.  At last year's game he struck out.  "The kid was throwing junk the whole time," said Holden.  "I tried to tell him it was a bad idea to throw junk to the A.D. (Athletic Director) but he was a senior and didn't care."

The home run derby promises to be a showcase for current coach and Panther alumnus DJ Butler who along with Brian Lucas are considered the odds on favorites to hit the most long balls.  There'll be cones set out so even shots that don't leave the park will earn some points for the hitters.

The atmosphere promises to be fun with full concessions and barbecued tri-tip.

There is a financial angle to this game but for the coach the money isn't why he's there.  "It's a social event first, but the alumni are really generous so it turns out to be a pretty good fundraiser too," says Bowles.

"It's a lot of fun," said Bowles.  "Especially when I get to take the field with guys I've played with or coached in the the past."