Little League president's big impact in Libertyville and at Wrigley Field
Some memories never dim, and even on a cool, damp day Bill Bennett imagines sunshine and fun as he walks through the empty baseball complex at Butler Lake Park in Libertyville.
He played here as a boy 40 years ago, when the facilities were not as extensive or well-equipped, and in a sense, he never left.
Since his early days as a strong-armed catcher, the complex has evolved to include new fields, dugouts, lights, a press box and other improvements.
He has remained connected, serving on the board for 13 years and now as president. And, on opening day, April 22, Bennett will be honored as the Joe Flood Volunteer of the Year.
"He's clearly the MVP of our program. Without him, our Little League program wouldn't be as successful," said treasurer Chris Beattie.
Bennett takes pleasure and pride in the progression and what the experience means to players and visitors.
"When we have a tournament here, people are like, 'Wow,'" said Bennett, a structural and geotechnical engineer by trade. "This setting - can you get any more beautiful? Saturday on a sunny day, there's no more energy than here at Butler Lake Park."
Playing or watching baseball at Butler Park was a huge part of Bennett's life and among his fondest memories as a kid. As an adult, he has had an impact at all levels of the game.
He played a key role in the renovation of Wrigley Field and, some contend, breaking the Cubs' World Series curse.
"I got texts for weeks after that. I always say, 'Darn right it was me.'"
It's evident Bennett's enthusiasm for baseball at its formative stages hasn't waned and is why he spends hours behind the scenes to ensure everything from fundraising to ordering uniforms runs smoothly.
The players don't know what all is involved when they take the field. But that's not the point.
"Who cares, man? The smile on all their faces is exactly why I do it," he said. There also are life lessons, like teamwork, perseverance and dealing with failure that transcend balls and strikes, Bennett said.
"It really made me in a lot of ways the person I am today," he said of his experiences, which included umpiring, coaching and grooming fields.
In the late '80s, his father, Robert E. Bennett, envisioned and was instrumental in having a field built up the hill on the east side of the complex - the former village landfill site - so older kids could continue playing organized ball. The diamond was dedicated in his honor on opening day 2014.
About six years ago, Bill Bennett was running several projects for Pepper Construction when the company was asked for ideas how Wrigley Field could be restored and updated.
Bennett said he assembled budgets and phasing plans for what became known as the 1060 Project, named after the Wrigley Field address.
He managed construction that has included reinforcing the foundation, rebuilding the bleachers, adding new clubhouses and player facilities, installing digital scoreboards, expanding concessions and improving restrooms.
For four years, his office was behind the marquee at the ballpark he visited with his dad as a kid.
"This is a project literally that will never happen again," he said in a video shot at Wrigley for his alma mater, the University of Illinois.
"To have the memories I have here as a kid and now have these memories and be able to come with my children and hopefully my grandchildren and say, 'You know, this is something daddy had a part in restoring.' It can't be any more cool."