Over the weekend Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) unveiled the latest completed All-Star Legacy projects with two Dodgers Dreamfields at Lincoln Park Recreation Center in Lincoln Heights.
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten represented the team for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and so too did Clayton Kershaw as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The two Dreamfields will immediately be put to use by Dodgers RBI youth players.
“When I came to the Dodgers nine years ago, I heard about this program and thought this is the coolest thing ever. This is just great. So we put as much horsepower as we could — along with all the partners you’ve heard about — into continue making it stronger and better than ever,” Kasten said.
“We are so proud to be here at our 55th and 56th Dreamfield. When I got here, our goal was to have 50 fields. When we got to 50 we said let’s keep going. We are so proud of our history. We have such a strong legacy of accomplishments on the field but also in the community, both in Brooklyn but even more so in Los Angeles.
“But nothing we do is more important than the way we look to the future. That is why the continuing of building and developing of these fields is important to us.”
Kershaw added: “This is for you guys. All these people here today, everybody around here, we’re all here because we want you all to succeed. And it’s not just about baseball. Baseball is just a game, y’all know that.
“It’s a ton of fun, I love baseball, but it’s about what baseball represents. It’s about being part of a team, it’s about getting the opportunity to do something with friends, it’s about being active, it’s about having a ton of fun. That’s the one thing y’all can do for all of us.
“Thank you guys so much for letting me be here today. It’s always so fun to see these completed. It’s a culmination of a lot of peoples’ hard work. Thank you to the parents, thank you to everybody for coming, and let’s have a good time on these fields.”
The Dodgers Dreamfields consisted of the renovation of existing fields by upgrading the lighting, fencing, windscreen, bullpens, dugout roofs and adding solar scoreboards.
Dodgers All-Star Legacy projects
When the Dodgers were awarded the 2020 MLB All-Star Game, it coincided with the team, LADF and league committing to five All-Star Legacy projects. Despite the Midsummer Classic getting cancelled because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the parties have still worked to finish the projects.
An All-Star Veterans Courtyard was dedicated last year, and additional projects will be unveiled this summer in Lincoln Heights, South Los Angeles and Chinatown.
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