The Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic at Oracle Park

Founded in 2006 – Creating Lifelong Memories for Collegiate & High School Athletes

The Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic at Oracle Park stands as one of the most meaningful and long-running baseball traditions in the Bay Area. Established in 2006 to honor the legendary University of San Francisco coach Dante Benedetti, the Classic fulfills his lifelong mission: to give every young athlete the chance to experience baseball at the highest level and to create memories that last a lifetime.

For nearly two decades, the Classic has brought together collegiate programs, historic high school rivalries, and local communities for an unforgettable day of baseball on a Major League field. Players experience the thrill of competing where professionals play, and families experience the pride of watching their sons on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

A Legacy of Opportunity & Impact

Since its inception, the Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic has welcomed more than 3,500 athletes to Oracle Park. These players—from standout high school talent to Division I student-athletes—have represented their schools, their families, and the spirit of Dante himself.

For countless families, this event becomes a once-in-a-lifetime moment that is remembered forever.

The Classic continues to grow its impact each year by:

• Showcasing top California high school programs

• Highlighting collegiate competition

• Strengthening community ties

• Honoring Dante Benedetti’s commitment to youth opportunity

• Providing experiences players may never otherwise receive

  The Bruce Mahoney Game – A Featured Tradition

  One of the most celebrated moments of the Dante Benedetti Classic is the inclusion of the historic Bruce Mahoney Baseball Game, the famed rivalry matchup between:

  • St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SI)
    vs.

  • Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHC)

  This rivalry is more than a game—it is a cornerstone of San Francisco identity. Dating back over 125 years, the Bruce Mahoney series is one of the oldest and most storied high school rivalries in the United States. Named in honor of Bruce Mahoney, a beloved St. Ignatius student-athlete who lost his life in World War II, the rivalry symbolizes courage, honor, tradition, and enduring community pride.

  The baseball chapter of the Bruce Mahoney series carries that same weight and meaning. Generations of families, alumni, and students return each year to witness the next group of young athletes’ step into this remarkable tradition.

  Bringing the Bruce Mahoney Game into the Dante Benedetti Classic elevates the experience into a once-in-a-lifetime moment. It ties together two profound Bay Area legacies:

  • The legacy of Dante Benedetti, who believed in baseball’s power to unite and inspire youth

  • The legacy of Bruce Mahoney, representing sacrifice, tradition, and school pride

  When SI and SHC take the field at Oracle Park, they aren’t simply playing a baseball game—they are honoring more than a century of San Francisco history.

  The atmosphere inside the stadium is electric:

  • A Major League ballpark filled with high school spirit

  • Thousands of students, alumni, and families in their school colors

  • Two iconic programs competing on the same field as MLB stars

  • A rivalry older than the ballpark itself carried forward for a new generation

  The Bruce Mahoney Game at the Dante Benedetti Classic represents everything Dante stood for—community, opportunity, honor, and using baseball to bring people together. It remains one of the most anticipated and meaningful elements of the entire event every year

Participating Teams Through the Years

College Programs

• Saint Mary’s College of California

• University of California, Berkeley (Cal)

• University of Minnesota

• University of San Francisco (USF)

High School Programs

• Archbishop Riordan High School

• Galileo High School

• Head-Royce School

• Lincoln High School

• Marin Catholic High School

• Redwood High School

• Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHC)

• San Marin High School

• St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SI)

• Tamalpais High School

• University High School (San Francisco)

This broad lineup reflects the Classic’s mission: to unite programs from across the Bay Area and beyond in celebration of competition, community, and player development.

Creating Memories for 20 Years

The impact of the Classic extends far beyond the scoreboard. Over the last two decades, the event has:

• Connected 3,500+ players to a Major League baseball experience

• Welcomed tens of thousands of family members and fans

• Celebrated historic rivalries and elite collegiate matchups

• Supported DBF’s mission to expand access to youth baseball

• Strengthened relationships among players, families, coaches, and communities

Each year, former participants return as coaches, mentors, supporters, and community leaders—proof that the Classic creates more than memories; it creates lifelong bonds.

A Tradition That Lives On

Through the dedication of the Dante’s Boys Foundation and the unwavering support of the community, the Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic at Oracle Park continues to honor Dante’s legacy by giving young athletes the chance to shine and by strengthening the baseball fabric of the Bay Area for generations to come.

The tradition continues, and the impact grows stronger every year.