MCS Player Profile – Lorne Swartz

By
Dan Berlin
– December 20, 2011

Name: Lorne Swartz
Position: Second Base
Team: Maccabi Canada Softball, Men’s Fastpitch
Number: 22
Nickname: “Double Deuces”

Maccabi Experience: 5 Games – 1989 (Silver), 1993 (Gold), 2007 (Gold, Masters), 2009 (Silver, Masters), 2011
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An integral part of four medal-winning teams for Maccabi Canada Softball over the course of his 20-plus-year fastpitch career, Lorne Swartz continues to exemplify class, camaraderie and leadership, both on and off the field, as he prepares to participate in his fifth Maccabi Games this December in Brazil.

Swartz, a stalwart at second base, will be reunited in Sao Paulo with longtime teammates Mark Bendahan and Phil Gigan, on one of Canada’s two softball teams entered in the 2011 Maccabi Pan-Am Games. At this stage of his career, playing together on the ball field with the boys keeps him coming back for more. “I consider it a privilege to compete and play with friends one more time,” said Swartz. “The memories and friendships forged from playing Maccabiah have lasted a lifetime.”

Swartz holds the Canadian flag with Mark's son, Josh Bendahan, at 2009 opening ceremonies in Israel.

A dedicated and loyal teammate, Swartz is especially grateful for the opportunity to take the field again with Bendahan. After winning gold together in Israel in 1993 and later in Argentina in 2007, Bender would be forced to withdraw from the 2009 Maccabi Games in Israel due to health reasons. Bendahan, who had been selected as Canada’s flag bearer at the opening ceremonies, would ultimately relinquish his role to a worthy Swartz, who carried the flag with both great pride and mixed emotions. “It was one of the greatest feelings and moments of my life. Marching into the stadium, seeing the crowd and hundreds of fellow Jewish athletes, and walking past Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu … it’s impossible to put into words,” recalled Swartz. “But it was bittersweet without Mark. It’s poetic justice that we get to play together again in Sao Paulo.”

While there’s nothing Swartz would like more than to add one more gold medal to his mantle with his old mates, he also relishes the opportunity to give back to the younger Canadian players. “I try to lead by example on the field,” said Swartz, who isn’t afraid to get dirty diving after balls or breaking up a double play. “It’s a big responsibility, but I hope to help provide leadership and a feeling of calm to my teammates. At the end of the day, we’re all lucky to be playing ball together. I just want to enjoy this for as long as I can.”
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