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$2.7 Million Dollar Project at Gonzales Park includes Jackie Robinson Stadium, Rachel Robinson Field, Field 42, Kershaw’s Challenge Fitness and Training Zone

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WHAT:

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), in partnership with the City of Compton, Kershaw’s Challenge and the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (MLB-MLBPA), will host a press conference at Gonzales Park to unveil the Phase One completion of a multi-million-dollar Dodgers Dreamfields complex.

Held on the 74th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier, the ribbon-cutting will celebrate this year’s return to youth sports after the COVID-19 quarantine and highlight the need for continued opportunities and places to play for Black and brown communities. Designed to support youth baseball and softball, from T-ball to college athletics, the Dodgers Dreamfields at Gonzales Park will feature three fields with new playing surfaces, fencing, dugouts, irrigation upgrades, lighting, paint, and scoreboards. The highlights of this project will include:

• Field 42– designed for baseball and softball players ages 5-8.
• Rachel Robinson Field– designed for baseball players ages 9-12 and softball players ages 9-18.
• Jackie Robinson Stadium– designed for baseball players ages 13+ and collegiate play, including new safety netting from Dodger Stadium and refurbished grandstand area with new railings, foundation and walkways.
• Kershaw’s Challenge Training and Fitness Zone, named for Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw’s charity, features two batting cages, two bullpens, a practice infield and outdoor fitness equipment.
• In partnership with Science of Sport and Edison International, LADF’s Science of Baseball outdoor classroom willintroduce the science, math, and physics of the game to everyone that uses the facility.

WHO:

• Nichol Whiteman, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
• Ayo Robinson, Granddaughter of Dodger Legend Jackie Robinson
• Aja Brown, Mayor, City of Compton
• Michelle Chambers, Councilmember, 1^st District
• John Bendheim, LADF Board Member, Leon Lowenstein Foundation
• Jean Lee Batrus, Executive Director, MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation
• Michael Dreibelbis, Associate General Counsel, FivePoint
• Mark Turner, Regional Vice President, Security Benefit
• Jonathan Reid, Senior Program Officer of Grants & Programs, LA84 Foundation
• LeAnne Kelch, Social Innovation Coordinator, LA2050
• Kate Zarouk, Executive Director, Water Buffalo Club
• Daren Heaton, Executive Director, Science of Sport

WHEN:

Thursday, April 15, 2021

10:30 AM – Press Conference Begins

10:45 AM – Ribbon Cutting 

10:45 AM – Additional Press/Media Interviews/Photo Opportunities

11:00 AM – Event Concludes

WHERE:

Gonzales Park

Jackie Robinson Stadium

1101 W. Cressey St.

Compton, CA 90222

MISC:

The City of Compton and Kershaw’s Challenge are lead partners on the project. Additional project sponsors include: MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, FivePoint, Security Benefit, Office of Supervisor Holly Mitchell, LA84 Foundation, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, LA2050, Edison International, Helen, and Will Webster Foundation, Water Buffalo Club, Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, Climate Resolve, and Science of Sport.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) builds and refurbishes baseball and softball fields in underserved communities through the Dodgers Dreamfields program, which provides families across Los Angeles with safe havens and points of pride in their own neighborhoods. Dodgers Dreamfields are game-changers, revitalizing green spaces to help re-energize the community’s engagement in baseball and softball, while boosting the safety of local parks and providing a place where neighbors can gather, exercise and play. Since 2003, LADF has refurbished 51 Dodgers Dreamfields and invested over $10.6 million throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, providing 360,000 kids access to playable baseball and softball fields. LADF will complete 75 fields by 2033, the 75^th anniversary of the Dodgers move to Los Angeles.

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About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation

ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is bigger than baseball with ambitions to be the city’s premier charity.  We envision a city where everyone regardless of zip code has the opportunity to thrive.  We are tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness, and social justice for all Angelenos. Since 1995, we have invested more than $32 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 www.facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.

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(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)

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