First Virtual Coaches Training Launches as Part of 2020 Season in Light of COVID-19

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The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) announced the launch of its modified season of Dodgers RBI, its sports-based youth development program on Wednesday, April 15 – Jackie Robinson Day. Dodger Manager Dave Roberts will kick off the first virtual coaches training with an inspirational message for coaches and parents. The 2020 season has been adjusted in light of COVID-19 and will feature virtual coaches trainings, college workshops, fitness and nutrition activities, youth baseball and softball instructional videos, health and wellness resources and more.

“We know that we must be bigger than baseball, and today, that means taking a leadership role in not only helping ‘flatten the curve’ of COVID-19 spreading throughout our communities but it’s making sure we continue to engage with the families we serve,” said Nichol Whiteman, LADF Chief Executive Officer. “We suspended all in-person youth activities, including practices and games, in response to the critical need to protect our most vulnerable populations  but we intend to adapt and be there for our youth, parents and coaches virtually until it’s safe to gather again.”

To ensure that coaches within Dodgers RBI have the appropriate resources, LADF provides trainings that teach baseball and softball fundamentals, trauma-informed approaches, and positive youth development strategies. The first of four virtual coaches trainings will include team exercises with Positive Coaching Alliance, how to recruit volunteer coaches with Coaching Corps, introduction in sports safety and concussion awareness with UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, coach self-care with Up2Us Sports and at-home practice ideas with the Dodgers Training Academy.

“Over the years, youth sports have become increasingly reserved for the elite, with household income becoming a key indicator for youth sports participation. The economic effects of COVID-19 will, unfortunately, worsen the equity gap for access to sport,” said Tiffany Rubin, LADF’s Director of Youth Programs. “It will be up to us and our partners to be creative and make sure that every family, no matter their economic situation, will have access to our sport and the developmental benefits of participation.”

In addition to Community Ambassador Bank of America, 2020 partnering corporations and organizations include: 

• Program Sponsors – 99 Cents Only Stores, ARCO, Kershaw’s Challenge, Helen and Will Webster Foundation, LA84 Foundation, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles County Department of Water and Power, Nike, California Masonic Foundation, and UCLA Health.
• Program Partners – Algorhythm, American Red Cross, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, California State University, Los Angeles, California State University, Dominguez Hills, College Advising Corps, Dasani, El Camino Community College, Farmer John, Gatorade, LeagueApps, LA Harbor Community College, Los Angeles Dodgers Training Academy, Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation, Melissa’s Produce, Pepperdine University, Pitch in For Baseball and Softball, Positive Coaching Alliance Los Angeles, Read Conmigo, UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, Up2Us Sports, UpMetrics, University of Southern California, and Vision to Learn.

2020 Dodgers RBI Affiliate Partners include:

• Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley (Includes Public Housing Developments)
• City of Compton Parks and Recreation Department
• City of Hawthorne Recreation & Community Service Department
• City of Huntington Park Department of Recreation and Parks
• City of Inglewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services
• City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation, & Marine
• City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
• County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation East County Community Services Agency
• County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation South County Community Services Agency
• City of Lynwood Recreation and Community Services Department
• Hollywood Indies Little League (HILL)
• MLB Youth Academy in Compton
• YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

Dodgers RBI uses baseball and softball to provide kids life-changing social and emotional learning. As they develop self-confidence and empathy through sport, they unlock access to health care and educational opportunities. In 2019, Dodgers RBI served 10,292 youth across 85 locations, nearly 60% of participants qualified for free and reduced lunch and 34% of families earned less than $40,000 annually. Families with youth ages 5-18 are encouraged to register for the 2020 season by visiting Dodgers.com/DodgersRBI.

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About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation:

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is bigger than baseball with ambitions to be the city’s premier charity. We want to impact Los Angeles’ most pressing problems: improving access to education, health care, affordable housing, youth programs and social justice. Since 1995, we have invested more than $30 million in programs and grants to nonprofits, and fundraising has increased by 1,000% since 2012. That growth has enabled us to do more.

Visit LADF online at www.dodgers.com/ladf, follow them on Twitter, @DodgersFdn, Instagram @dodgersfoundation and like them on Facebook at /LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.

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(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)

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