2024 MSBL/MABL National Hall of Fame Inductee: Bennett Fisher, Houston Hardball League
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Bennett Fisher is an attorney who resides in Houston and began his MSBL career in the Houston Hardball League back in the fall of 1988. Even though he is approaching the upper sixties in age, he continues to play first base for the 55-over Houston Tigers in the league. He is also a frequent participant in the MSBL World Series every year.
“I’ve played in nearly every World Series since 1991, missing 2004 when my wife had breast cancer and then 2019 when she had Leukemia,” explained Bennett. “One year, instead of the World Series, we went to the Fall Classic.
I’ve played in almost every age group from 30 to 55. For the past 10 to 15 years or so I have played with the Houston Baseball Club, which then became the Houston Old Stars and now, the Houston Baseball Club Stars (55+).”
Bennett has a burning passion for the game, in both the league and in tournaments. Because of this obvious passion and dedication, MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler has inducted Bennett into the 2024 class of the MSBL National Hall of Fame.
“I feel like a lifetime of baseball memories has brought us to this point. I was one of three people who organized our league, the Houston Senior Baseball Association, in the winter of 1989 with Jim Wood and Scott Susor. I laid out a blueprint for a non-profit association that many leagues still utilize.
After forming and helping manage the HSBA, in the early 1990s, Steve Sigler asked me to join the MSBL National Board. There were many annual meetings and I hope I’ve provided good legal advice to Steve and Brian (Sigler) over the years.
I have managed World Series teams for a number of years, but although a ring has eluded us, I think everyone has a good time, a year full of memories, and a lifetime of friendships. The honor and recognition humble me.”
What about the past? How did you get to this point in your baseball career?
“I grew up in the Wyandanch Hills Little League (and Senior League) in Long Island, New York. After playing on the ninth-grade school team, I switched to golf but continued playing Senior Ball. As you know, baseball is a 5-tool sport. I love the game, but I’ve never had much more than half a tool. I can hit a little.”
What are some of the highlights of your 35-year career of playing MSBL baseball?
“In 2015 I was on the Houston Old Stars that featured the marquee match-up at Tempe Diablo Stadium featuring Roger ‘Rocket’ Clemens on the mound for us and Oil Can Boyd for the Boston Wolfpack. We had a crowd of about 500 MSBL players and others in the stands as Roger pitched a terrific six innings before giving way to the bullpen.
That game was a lot of fun. I even got a bloop hit off ‘The Can.’ We won, although I don’t remember the final score. Roger stayed around after the game and signed autographs for over an hour.”
“Here in Houston, we’ve had a number of ex-major leaguers play from time to time, including Bill Dawley, who managed a team I played on for many years, as well as JR Richard whom I recruited,” Bennett continued. “JR was a client and a friend. He went to a tryout in Florida for the short-lived Florida Professional Senior League in the early 1990s, and threw 95 mph!
However, his weight and cholesterol numbers were very high. He was told that they would sign him if he could get both numbers down to 250. My idea was that he played on my team to get into shape. After a season with us, he defected to one of the other teams.
I then had to face him. In my first at-bat, he buzzed a pitch high and tight and I threatened that if he hit me, he’d need a new lawyer! The second pitch was a called strike, although I told the ump that it sounded low. Ultimately, I walked (a small victory).”
Bennett’s passion and skill didn’t just happen. There are always catalysts who assist in the journey.
“I’d have to start with my Father, who coached most of my Little League teams. One of my seventh-grade school coaches was Mr. Jutze. The next season, we asked where Mr. Jutze was and found out that he went back to playing baseball in the minors. A couple of years later, he was on the Astros roster. Skip Jutze played parts of about six years in the majors. I don’t know if he ever returned to teaching.
Other than my father and the many coaches in my childhood and on school teams, I need to thank the dozens of teammates who have encouraged me and given me advice and support.
Any final comments?
“Nothing reflected the love, care, and concern we have for one another than the many teammates and others in the league who showed up to give blood in my wife’s name during her cancer treatment and then for her memorial a few years ago. I will never forget their support.
In addition, Steve and Connie Sigler and their children are like family to me. When my wife and I became engaged, we were on a cruise together with all five Siglers. And, when Jamie starred on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, we were Steve and Connie’s guests for one of the performances. I’ve known Jamie since she was 11 or 12 and to see her go from singing at MSBL board meetings to singing on Broadway was a little emotional for me.”