Baseball: Libertyville backstops catch an insider's break
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Of course, few of us are this lucky. Our networks usually don't include people with such significant expertise.
Luke Plunkett and Garrison Bennett are exceptions, and are counting their lucky stars because of it.
The two Libertyville catchers have been able to improve and perfect their abilities behind the plate over their young careers thanks to the constant instruction and guidance of a true expert in the field.
Gary Bennett, who is Garrison's dad and also happens to be a former Major League catcher, has worked with the boys for years and recently made his position of expertise even more official when he took on a job as a volunteer coach at Libertyville this season. He works directly with all of the catchers in the program, imparting the wisdom of 13 MLB seasons and one World Series championship on them with every piece of advice.
Behind Plunkett, a senior and the starting catcher for the Wildcats, and Bennett, a junior who is Plunkett's back-up, Libertyville is 10-3 this season and off to a strong start.
"He has impacted my life so greatly, more than he probably even knows," Plunkett said of Gary Bennett, a Waukegan native who won a World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. "I've been so blessed to work with him. I thank him for pretty much all of my success. He's brought my game to another level. And his knowledge is incredible. He knows every aspect of the game. If I have a question about pretty much anything regarding baseball, he's one of the top guys I ask."
For Garrison Bennett, of course, his dad Gary has always been his go-to guy for all kinds of questions, particularly of the baseball variety.
When Garrison was 6 years old, he says he was old enough to appreciate his dad's World Series win with the Cardinals, and from then on, he wanted to be just like his dad.
"That's when I started understanding how big a deal baseball was with my dad," Garrison said. "I loved baseball growing up and I still do now and it was easy to love it because I've always had my dad to help me develop."
The Bennett name became synonymous with baseball success in Waukegan in the 1980s and 1990s.
Coached by their father Gary Sr. through Little League, Gary Jr. and his brother Ryan both wound up playing professionally. Ryan made it to Triple-A while Gary played for eight Major League teams over his 13-year career.
"One of my earliest memories with my dad was playing catch with him with a little nerf ball," Gary Bennett said. "He loved the game. He didn't play baseball past junior high, but he had such a passion for it. He was always watching the Cubs on TV, always learning the game and he taught me a lot."
Bennett, whose younger son Gavin is also in the Libertyville program, starting at catcher for the freshman team, says he loves getting the chance to pass his knowledge down to the next generation.
"Baseball has given me everything I have," said Bennett, who retired from the major leagues in 2009 and is currently doing consulting work and scouting with the St. Louis Cardinals. "I am so happy to help and I'm having an absolute blast doing it. I just hope to pass on my love for the game and I hope to have a positive effect and to help the guys be the best players they can be and to help them get to the next level."
Plunkett is already headed to the next level. Over the winter, he committed to play at Luther College in Iowa next year. Garrison Bennett is hoping he'll be in the same position next year when he is a senior.
"When I was younger, I used to think I was doing a pretty good job as a catcher," Plunkett said. "But then I started working with (Bennett) and I realized I was actually pretty far behind from where I thought I was. He challenged me really hard and I learned a lot from him. He's worked with me on my mindset, of being relaxed back there (behind the plate). We've worked on strength and conditioning for my lower half. Blocking was a problem for me and we worked on that, too. I've just learned so much from him and I know it's all going to help me moving forward."
In the meantime, Plunkett and Bennett are enjoying getting to play together for one last season. They have become good friends through all of their workouts with Bennett's dad.
"Luke and I have a really tight friendship. We've worked together for years, and he's one of my best friends," Bennett said. "We always push each other to get better. I think Luke has always been a really good catcher. But I think my dad has helped him get even better. I think we've both gotten better.
"I'm so fortunate to be able to have my dad around all the time to help me with baseball. He works with me on technical stuff, like my footwork, or my exchange or even my hitting. He's also always talking to me about my effort and how nothing is ever given to you.
"He's just always helping me be the best I can be and I'm just really lucky to have that."
pbabcock@dailyherald.com
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