MLB player Augie Sylk with Bob Benton (right) at the annual Palisades Baseball pancake breakfast.
Registration for the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association spring season is underway. Boys and girls aged 6 to 14 as of April 30, 2024, are welcome to participate.
Tryouts will be held for six-year-olds on Friday, January 19. On Saturday and Sunday, January 20 and 21, tryouts will be held for the other ages.
The registration fee will increase after December 31, 2023.
PPBA is a long-time tradition in the Palisades and kids of all ages weekly play one or two games. Team sizes are kept small to maximize playing time.
“After Covid, we had numbers that we have never had before,” said Bob Benton, the PPBA Commissioner, who has led that association for 33 years. Last year there were eight Shetland teams (6–7 year olds), 10 Pinto (7, 8, 9 year olds), 10 Mustang (9-10 year olds) eight Bronco (11-12 year olds) and four Pony teams (13-14 year olds).
PPBA has also taken over the 5-pitch program at the Palisades Recreation Center.
The association works hard to balance the teams, so that everyone has a chance to make a run at the end of the season World Series.
At a recent Optimist meeting, Benton told members he had gotten involved with the Board in the mid-80s, because had just had his third son and they figured he’d be around for several years.
He’s stayed and said, “My success is based on how good my board is.” Local dads also provide guidance and stability to the program by serving on the board.
This year’s opening day, which includes the Pancake Breakfast, is scheduled for March 9. Many consider the pancake breakfast the second-best day in the Palisades (4th of July, with the parade, run and fireworks is first).
To register: click here.
Call (310) 625-7220 or email ppbapony@gmail.com
Safe!
Photo RICH SCHMITT