The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) continued their virtual Dodgers RBI season on Wednesday night with a special coaches training featuring Dodger first base coach George Lombard. Lombard is the latest member of the Dodgers coaching staff to join LADF’s training series, following Dodger third base coach Dino Ebel and Dodger manager Dave Roberts who have also participated. Over 240 Dodgers RBI volunteer coaches and parents registered to join via Zoom and listened, as Coach Lombard shared his experience as a multi-sport athlete, player, and coach.

Lombard began with acknowledging current events and shared that “Even on our worst day…we can take something good away from that, and we can learn from it and be better. It’s very relevant to what is going on with this pandemic, with the George Floyd case and Black Lives Matter. It’s been some very trying and difficult times. We’re going to be better because of this, eventually.” 

He also shared his personal inspirations and the influence his family had on his character development during childhood, including standing up for what is right. Lombard shared the impact of his mother’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and used the opportunity to inspire others to speak up during this time of social injustice and the racial inequality that still exists. “My message for you guys, is we get this opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Lombard. “It can be saying something positive, standing up to someone, using your voice for the civil rights movement.”

With volunteer coaches and parents of all skill levels and experience in attendance, Lombard shared his favorite part of coaching to encourage everyone, “What puts a huge smile on pretty much every coach is when you see your player improving. Helping that player figure something out. The moment it clicks.” 

In addition, Lombard acknowledged that making mistakes in coaching is inevitable and mental strength for both players and coaches is key. “The mental side is huge on the process you’re trying to accomplish. Controlling the controllable,” said Lombard. “Baseball is made up of a ton of failures. Stick to what you’re trying to accomplish.” 

The session also featured effective at-home hitting drills and techniques for coaches from the Dodgers Training Academy. To ensure that coaches have the appropriate resources, LADF’s training series teaches baseball and softball fundamentals, trauma-informed approaches, concussion protocols, and positive youth development strategies from Dodger coaches, Positive Coaching Alliance, UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, Up2Us Sports and the Dodgers Training Academy. Virtual trainings feature interactive polls, demonstration videos from presenters, Q&A sessions with panelists, and LADF community resources and programming.  

The complete interview with Coach Lombard can be viewed here. (Password: 3w=4P9.d)

Lombard is also the latest Dodger team member to join the LA Reads Story-time series. His read-aloud shared on Tuesday (via LADF Instagram/IGTV) can be found here. 

LADF’s sixth coaches’ training session will be held on June 25th and will feature an interview with Natasha Watley, a two-time Olympian and gold medalist in softball. Event details will be shared with registered Dodgers RBI families via email. Families with youth ages 5-18 are encouraged to register for the free 2020 virtual season by visiting Dodgers.com/DodgersRBI. 

In addition to Community Ambassador Bank of America, 2020 Dodgers RBI program sponsors include: 99 Cents Only Stores, ARCO, California Masonic Foundation, Dasani, Stephen R. Dennis Memorial Fund, Gatorade, Helen and Will Webster Foundation, Kershaw’s Challenge, LA84 Foundation, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles County Department of Water and Power, Melissa’s Produce, Nike, and UCLA Health.

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About Dodgers RBI:  

Dodgers RBI is a sports-based youth development program founded by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for ages 5-18 that uses baseball and softball participation to provide kids life-changing social and emotional learning and access to health care and educational opportunities. As they develop self-confidence and empathy through sport, LADF unlocks access to health care and educational opportunities as well as provides a place where the kids can feel safe while they play and learn. Although on-the-field programming remains suspended due to COVID-19, LADF continues to support youth, parents and coaches which virtual, free coaches’ trainings, parent workshops, fitness and nutrition activities, baseball and softball Dodger Drills video series, college-prep sessions, health and education resources, and more. To learn more about Dodgers RBI and the COVID-19 Needs Assessment, detailing the impact of the pandemic on households and how LADF has adapted support during this time, please visit 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 www.facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation. 

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(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)

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