Benicia’s Big League all-star team didn’t get much work in prior to this Saturday’s opening of the Section 1 Tournament at Fitzgerald Field.

Benicia has had trouble finding a place to practice. Fitzgerald Field has been busy hosting the Juniors Tournament of Champions and Benicia High’s baseball fields are unavailable due to planned construction at Drolette Stadium.

Manager Keith Lederer is scrambling to get Benicia ready for the best-of-3 series against the champion from District 35.

“We’re trying to figure out another field or do some night practices,” Lederer said. “We’ll just be winging it.”

Benicia may not need much practice. Half the roster is composed of players fresh off Benicia High’s Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Most of the players have plenty of previous all-star experience, with some playing for Lederer’s Big League team during the regular season.

“Most of these guys have played together and the high school guys are trying to fit in,” Lederer said. “Having guys from Benicia High’s championship team helps quite a bit. They’re still hungry and want to come out and compete.”

Anthony Lopez helped pitch Benicia High to a Section title and hopes to do the same with the Big League all-stars. Kyle Hanson-Regalado (another Panther veteran) and Niko Leon Guererro are also capable pitchers, with Luke Lederer expected to see time in a relief role.

Tom and Pete Dalby are perennial all-stars who will bolster a potent lineup. Panther veterans Josiah Peterson, Jonathan Holmes, Justin Badger, Zach Taugher, Nick Derouaux and Kyle Galiza should be conststent contributors.

Players like Michael O’Leary, Chris Core, John Bonnette and Landon Williams give Lederer plenty of options both offensively and defensively.

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