PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is once again partnering with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) to provide youth T-ball, baseball and fastpitch softball programs this summer through Dodgers Dreamteam, a comprehensive sports-based youth development program that uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services.

“Our partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation offers children from all backgrounds the opportunity to experience the fun of baseball and softball and importance of team play,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Year after year, this program continues to enrich the lives of Long Beach youth. I thank the Dodgers Foundation for providing this program.”

Through a $62,430 grant from LADF, accepted by the Long Beach City Council on March 14, PRM’s Youth Sports Program will offer T-Ball and coach pitch for ages 5 to 8 and baseball and fastpitch softball for youth ages 9 through 17 this summer. PRM has applied for and been awarded this grant from LADF since 2017. To date, the grant funding has assisted PRM in providing baseball and softball programs to over 3,000 Long Beach youth ages of 5 through 18, including over 950 players participating at 23 City locations during the 2022 program. In addition to the grant, LADF added funding for a Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator position to this year’s grant agreement, which PRM staff will supervise.

“We’re thrilled that Long Beach youth will once again be part of Dodgers Dreamteam this year,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “We can’t wait to see more kids and families participate in baseball and softball, as well as access our health and education programs, resources and basic necessities.”

The 2023 program divisions and age groups are listed below. Programs will run from June through August. Space is limited and practice days and times will vary for all programs:

• Coed T-Ball and Coach Pitch Divisions: Game days are Wednesday evenings at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. Participants must be born in 2016 or 2017 (Coed T-Ball) or 2014 or 2015 (Coach Pitch Divisions).
• Minor Baseball (Boys) Division: Game days are Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. Participants must be born in 2012 or 2013.
• Minor Softball (Girls) Division: Game days are Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. Participants must be born in 2012 or 2013.
• Major Division (Boys) Division: Game days are Thursday evenings at 7:15 p.m. Participants must be born in 2010 or 2011.
• Major Softball (Girls) Divisions: Game days are Tuesday evenings at 5:30 or 7:15 p.m. Participants must be born in 2010 or 2011.
• Junior Teen Baseball and Senior Teen Softball Divisions: Game days are Monday or Wednesday evenings at 5:30 or 7:15 p.m. Participants must be born in 2007 through 2009 (Junior Teen Baseball) or 2005 through 2009 (Senior Teen Softball). 

Dodgers Dreamteam players will receive uniforms, sports equipment, protective equipment like gloves and elbow and knee guards, and will also receive information and resources that address basic needs, education and healthcare. Participants will also have free access to LADF programs like Dodger Days, Fitness and Nutrition Clinics, Coaches Trainings, Player Development Trainings and College and Career Accelerator Workshops. Participants of the T-Ball and Coach Pitch divisions will receive a team photo and medals. Dodgers Dreamteam coaches are certified and fully vetted. The grant will also assist with field maintenance needs.  

Registration for the 2023 summer program will take place May 1 through 31, 2023, online. In-person registration assistance will be available at the Long Beach Youth Sports Office, located at 5001 Deukmejian Drive, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other program related questions can be directed to the Long Beach Sport office at 562.570.1707 or by email to matthew.waterman@longbeach.gov.

For more information, or to register a participant, please visit teamsideline.com/longbeach or go to the City of Long Beach page on the Dodgers Dreamteam website.