MICHAEL BENTON

Position: Private Lessons Instructor for Hitting, Catching and Fielding

Professional Background:

• Franklin HS JV Head Coach

​

Baseball Career:

• Short Stop growing up, later a utility player, then settled as a Catcher during Junior year of high school

• Played at Franklin HS in Elk Grove, set the school record for doubles in a season, and currently holds the record for Career Batting average

• Led the school to their first two playoff appearances and first Delta League Championship in 2007

• Played college baseball at UCSD: Helped win 3 CCAA championships, Made 4 Regional Tournament appearances, 2 College World Series trips, DII National Runner-ups in 2010

• Played professionally in the Belgium National League for the Namur Angels in 2011: Led the league in Home Runs, Led the team to the championship series
   

Education:

• BS in Management Science from UCSD

• CPR Certified

His Coaching Philosophy: "For young players, build and develop skills while making sure they have fun playing baseball. The most important thing is to keep them wanting to come back and play. For older players, perfect the fundamentals and teach them the mental side of the game. Having a plan and approach at the plate, communication on defense, learning to compete at all times, and staying focused on what can be controlled, specifically, the next pitch."

​

Personal Achievements:

• Delta League MVP in 2007

• All-Metro Team 2007

• Delta League Champion 2007

• CCAA Champion 2009, 2010, 2011

• West Regional Champion 2009, 2010

• DII National Runner-up 2010

• Coached players who went on to play at University of Reno, UCSD, Sonoma State, University of Puget Sound, and Cal State Fullerton