Editor’s note:Maccabi Canada will be joining two teams from the USA, along with several other countries in a Christmas week tournament in Brazil.
MCS Player Profile – Mark Bendahan
BY DAN BERLIN
Name: Mark Bendahan
Position(s): Pitcher, First Base
Team: Maccabi Canada Softball, Men’s Fastpitch
Number: 13
Nickname: “Bender”Maccabi Experience: 6 Games – 1985 (Silver), 1989 (Silver), 1993 (Gold), 1997 (Gold), 2007 (Gold, Masters), 2011
____________________________________________An original member of the Maccabi softball movement in Israel in 1985, Mark Bendahan has spent the past 25+ years dedicated to Canada, Israel, and the sport he loves to play. Bender’s Maccabi accomplishments include three gold medals and two silver medals for Canada over the course of his illustrious career.
After losing the inaugural gold medal game to the U.S. in 1985 (softball was first introduced as an exhibition sport at the ’81 Maccabi Games, prior to becoming an official sport four years later), and falling again to the Americans in the final in 1989, Bendahan and Canada finally broke through in 1993, a victory – and experience – that resonates with Bendahan to this very day.
“My greatest accomplishment would probably be winning the gold medal in ’93,” said Bendahan. “I remember distinctively, the first thing I did was pick up the phone to call my wife. I was balling like a baby. After losing two tough ones in ’85 and ’89 we didn’t know if we’d ever pull one off. Finally we did it.”
Bendahan and Team Canada, 1993 Gold Medallists
Despite of all of Bender’s softball successes, including his time with the World Champion Toronto Gators in the early 90?s, there’s nothing he holds more dearly than the time spent, and friends made, during his time participating in Maccabiah. “For me, it was playing in Israel, in the homeland, playing against fellow Jews from all over the world,” said Bendahan. “It’s a special time.”The seemingly ageless Bendahan continues to defy both father time and opposing batters, as he currently prepares to participate in his sixth Maccabi Games this December, as a player/coach for Canada at the upcoming Pan-Am Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he’ll proudly be playing alongside his son, Josh, for the first time in international competition.
On-field successes aside, those who have played with him, and against him, will both agree; you’d be hard pressed to find a classier competitor than Bender, a guy who played the game the way it’s supposed to be played. On his legacy: “You just want to be remembered that you gave it everything you had when you were out on the field,” said Bendahan. “That you were a sportsman, who respected your competition, and did the best you could.”
As for Bendahan, who’s proudly worn #13 throughout his playing days, it’s clear that Maccabi Canada Softball has been “lucky” to have him.
Click here for the original story at the Maccabi Canada website.