LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will play host to the last of five Dodgers RBI Dodger Days presented by ARCO tomorrow at Darby Park, 3400 West Arbor Vitae in Inglewood, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will be highlighted by autographs with Dodger broadcaster and legendary lefty Fernando Valenzuela from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dodger Days, regional events held this season, offer Dodgers RBI players and their families an opportunity to experience the Dodgers in their community.
More than 300 Dodgers RBI players in full uniform will partake in tomorrow's fun-filled events beginning at 8:30 a.m. with an hour-long baseball and softball instructional clinic led by Dodger Alumni Billy Ashley, Lee Lacy and Matt Luke. Carnival-style activities for Dodgers RBI players and families, including the Dodger pitching inflatable and a visit from the Dodger character will follow the clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
"We are pleased to have partnered with the Dodgers RBI Program," said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. "Not only did the children have a great recreational experience but their families were afforded enrichment opportunities that promoted health and fitness on levels well beyond the ballfield."
Volunteers from Dodgers RBI Gold sponsor Bank of America will be on hand to help. Read Conmigo will distribute free bilingual books, Vision To Learn will conduct complimentary eye screenings, Farmer John will provide Dodger Dogs, Hawaiian Springs will provide water, Gazillion Bubbles will be on hand with their bubble car and five foot Bubble Machine, the American Cancer Society will conduct fun activities and iHeart Radio will provide music. Dodgers RBI players will complete their Dodger Day Passport to receive giveaways to include Dodgers RBI t-shirts, whiffle balls and bats, sunscreen courtesy of Murad and more.
"This is our first year participating in the Dodgers RBI Program," said City of Inglewood Director of Parks, Recreation and Library Services Sabrina Barnes. "I am looking forward to a long and lasting relationship as we work together to uplift our youth and revive baseball in inner cities. Go Dodgers!"
This event will serve as the culmination to the inaugural Dodgers RBI season in Inglewood launched this summer for more than 300 players. Darby Park will be the home to the 45^th and 46^th Dodger Dreamfields. LADF will break ground later this year.
Dodgers RBI is a comprehensive, urban youth baseball and softball program for boys and girls ages 5-18. In its third season, Dodgers RBI serves 6,000 youth continuing to promote greater inclusion, participation and interest in baseball and softball. Through various program elements, Dodgers RBI utilizes sport to promote academic achievement and healthy lives including financial literary seminars, college tours, free eye screenings and glasses, bilingual reading books, baseball/softball clinics and incentives such as trips to Dodger Stadium. In addition, LADF provides uniforms and equipment, recruitment assistance, supplemental marketing assistance and coaching clinics to all partners.
Dodgers RBI is part of MLB's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. MLB's RBI has served approximately two million young people since its inception, is administered by MLB and is designed to give young people from underserved and diverse communities the opportunity to play baseball and softball, while also encouraging academic achievement and success and teaching the value of teamwork and other important life lessons. RBI currently serves approximately 230,000 young men and women in more than 300 programs established in approximately 200 cities worldwide. MLB and its Clubs have designated more than $30 million worth of resources to the RBI Program, and all 30 Clubs support RBI leagues. For more information on MLB RBI, please visit mlb.mlb.com/rbi.
More information can be found by visiting www.dodgers.com/ladf or by following LADF on social media: Twitter (@DodgersFdn), Instagram (dodgersfoundation) and Facebook (LosAngelesDodgersFoundation).