The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Kershaw’s Challenge announced a partnership to refurbish Jackie Robinson Stadium and construct a new “Field 42” at Gonzales Park in the City of Compton.
The project, which was unveiled during Jackie Robinson Day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium last week, will commemorate the 100th birthday of the MLB icon. The renovation of Jackie Robinson Stadium calls for upgrades to the field, outfield fence, dugouts, scoreboard, backstop, lighting, bathrooms/locker room facilities and spectator viewing areas.
The new “Field 42” will serve youth ages 5-12 and enhance the playing experience for baseball and softball players in the area with a new large LED scoreboard, windscreens on the outfield wall, an enclosed batting cage and a new irrigation and watering system to ensure that the field stays ready for play well into the future.
Construction will begin later this year on Dodgers Dreamfields Nos. 52 and 53. After reaching their goal of 50 Dreamfields, the LADF made another commitment to local communities to build 75 fields by 2033 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
“Jackie Robinson Day is always a special day in Los Angeles, and it’s hard to think of a better way to honor his legacy and celebrate his centennial birthday than by increasing access to youth baseball and softball in Compton,” Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation CEO Nichol Whiteman said.
“The Gonzales Park Dodgers Dreamfields, renovating Jackie Robinson Stadium and building ‘Field 42,’ are large-scale projects, and we couldn’t do it without the support of Clayton and Ellen Kershaw and Kershaw’s Challenge. We’re grateful to have such amazing partners for this project, and look forward to continued joint ventures in the future.”
The new venture marks the third Dodgers Dreamfield location Clayton and Ellen Kershaw have supported. Through Kershaw’s Challenge, they previously partnered with the LADF on constructing the universally accessible field at Baldwin Hills Recreation Center and the 50th Dreamfield at Algin Sutton Recreation Center.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation sets the bar high for exceptional service to our city. We are proud to consider them our close friends and co-laborers in finding unique ways to reach underserved children and families,” the Kershaws said.
“The Dodgers Dreamfields program in particular aligns with our love for the game of baseball and our desire to see more kids engage in the opportunity. It is an honor to officially join hands with LADF as one of our 2019 Kershaw’s Challenge beneficiaries. We believe in their work and we love their team. This year, Kershaw’s Challenge will seek to lead the charge on two new Dreamfields in the Compton area.
“We look forward to providing funding and exposure to the great work of LADF through these new fields. As we have seen with Kershaw’s Challenge for the past 10 seasons, it takes a village of like-minded organizations to create lasting change. We are thrilled to make this change happen with our friends at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.”
In addition to the commitment from Kershaw’s Challenge, Clayton will give a fan the ultimate Dodgers gameday experience and raise funds for the project through a sweepstakes, which includes playing catch with the three-time Cy Young Award winner, roundtrip airfare to Los Angeles and a four-star hotel accommodation, pregame tour and batting practice experience, a Kershaw autographed baseball and two tickets in the Lexus Dugout Club at Dodger Stadium.
All proceeds from the sweepstakes will go toward the completion of the Dreamfield at Gonzales Park. More details on how to win this once in a lifetime experience can be found at Dodgers.com/win.
