Wave Staff and Wire Reports
MAYWOOD — The newest Dodgers Dreamfield was unveiled at Maywood Park April 30, drawing praise from Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
The $657,000 project includes refurbishing a field and developing a new training zone, a team official said. Refurbishments include new playing surfaces and grass, an enclosed field, upgraded dugouts, upgraded irrigation systems, new pitcher’s mounds, bullpens and an LED scoreboard resembling Dodger Stadium’s.
“Maywood is one of the cities in my district that has far too few parks and green spaces for kids to play,” Hahn tweeted. “Having a facility like this one right in their backyards is a big deal.”
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol also appeared at the unveiling, which also included a clinic for 100 Dodgers Dream team players and a YMCA Kids Day.
The Dodgers Foundation and Southeast Rio Vista YMCA operate the Maywood youth baseball program at the park, which also serves as the home field for the Maywood High School baseball team. April 30 was opening day for the program.
Also on hand were Maywood Mayor Heber Marquez, Nichol Whitemen, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the YMCA’s Gerry Salcedo.
The Dodgers Dreamfields program began in 2003 when the team was owned by the Fox Group. It continued when Frank McCourt owned the team from 2004-2012 and under the current ownership. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation has refurbished 58 Dodgers Dreamfields in the greater Los Angeles area.
The foundation is the team’s official charity, supporting programs in sports and recreation, education and literacy, health and wellness benefiting children and families throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.
Its programs are funded through private donations and various fundraising events. Team finances are not used.
The foundation has pledged to complete 75 fields by 2033, the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles.
