Dodgers Reseda Park Dream Field Dedication

It's been weeks since I've written anything. I wasn't sure if I was going to write anything on this blog ever again, but I've been inspired by the upcoming baseball season. There have been a few different events in SoCal over the last couple of weeks and I had a chance to get to a few of them. Today I'll post the Dodger Dream Field Event from last weekend. 

On Saturday, January 12, the Dodgers dedicated a new Dream Field at Reseda Park. Dodger broadcaster Charley Steiner hosted the event along with Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten. Dodger alumni Al “The Bull” Ferrara, Lee Lacy, Ramon Martinez, Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Yeager and Dodger prospects Onelki Garcia, Matt Magill and Joc Pederson were all there to meet with fans and they also held a clinic on the field following the dedication. The dedication was scheduled to start at 10:00 am and it was open to the public. All children were welcome to take part in the day's events so there were many parents there signing their children up to work on baseball drills with the Dodgers on hand.

Reseda park is just blocks away from my home and I've been to it many time. The last time I was there though the baseball field was old and run down. When I arrived I was surprised to see how nice it looked. The Dodgers really put some work into the field.There was a new fence around the outfield, a new scoreboard, beautiful green grass and many other beautiful new features. 

Just before 10:00 some of the Dodgers began arriving. I noticed Joc Pederson and Matt Magill standing around BSing, so I went and asked them each for autographs. Matt signed a card for me and I had Joc sign a ball.

When I turned around I noticed Ramon Martinez behind me. I was very excited because Ramon was one of my favorite pitchers in the 90's. I got him to sign a  ball and a couple of cards for me.

After he signed a few more autographs, Ramon was pulled away for an interview, then the ceremony began. Charley Steiner introduced the three minor leaguers then the alum. Of course Fernando got the loudest round of applause. Stan Kasten, City Councilman Dennis Zine and a few other officials spoke, then the drills began with the kids. I didn't have my kids with me to take part in this, and I didn't need anymore autographs, so I decided it was time to leave. 

You can see more from the Dream Field dedication here and here.

Dodgers Community Caravan: Dodgers Dreamfield Dedication In Northridge

I attended the unveiling of the newest Dodgers Dreamfield today. The Dodgers Dream Foundation and LA84 Foundation dedicated the new Dodgers Dreamfield at Northridge Recreation Center. It was the last stop of the Dodgers' annual community caravan. The dedication ceremony was led by Dodger Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt, 12th District City Councilman Greig Smith, LA84 Foundation President Anita L. DeFrantz, LA84 Foundation Vice President of Grants and Programs Patrick Escobar and General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation Jon Kirk Mukri.


Dodger players in attendance included Rafael Furcal, Matt Kemp, Tony Gwynn Jr., Jay Gibbons and Gabe Kapler, as well as former Dodgers Fernando Valenzuela, Ron Cey, Steve Garvey, Derrel Thomas, "Sweet" Lou Johnson, Don Newcombe, Todd Zeile and Dodger broadcaster Charley Steiner.

The entire event was a lot of fun. It was nice to see all the little leaguers in attendance.

When the players first arrived, they headed straight to the field, and the fans were told not to ask for autographs until the event was over. People ignored this and started taking pictures with the players and asking for autographs. That was put to a stop quickly once the dedication ceremony began.

Charley Steiner started the ceremony. He introduced all the players and speakers. We heard from Greig Smith, Anita L. DeFrantz, then Frank McCourt. Frank gave a nice speech, then he got all the kids together to start a baseball clinic.

The clinic was separated into stations, and the kids would rotate every five minutes. It was a pleasure to watch.

When the clinic ended, a group picture was taken with all the kids and Dodger personnel. Afterwards, the players took pictures with the fans and signed some autographs. I was there with my Don Newcombe bobblehead hoping to get his autograph. That didn't happen. I had a terrible experience trying to get him to sign. I would love to tell this story, but I don't want to bad-mouth anyone. Maybe one day I'll actually get him to sign the bobble. Anyways, with all the time I wasted trying to get Newk's autograph, I missed out on some other opportunities. I did get to meet Steve Garvey, Fernando Valenzuela, Todd Zeile and Gabe Kapler though.

Dodgerbobble and Fernando

Dodgerbobble and Garv

Dodgerbobble and Todd Zeile

It's hard to see, but that's Gabe Kapler's autograph

Now I'm ready for baseball. First Spring Training then Opening Day. We're almost there.