PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is swinging for the fences this summer, as their Long Beach Youth Sports Program once again partners with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), to provide youth baseball and softball programs this summer through Dodgers Dreamteam (formerly Dodgers RBI), a comprehensive sports-based youth development program that uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services.

"The partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is leveling the playing field for children from all backgrounds to be able to experience the fun and excitement of being part of a team," said Mayor Robert Garcia. "Since 2017, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation has enriched the lives of hundreds of Long Beach youth and this year's Dodgers Dreamteam program promises to continue that tradition."

Through a $53,790 grant from LADF, accepted by the Long Beach City Council on April 12, PRM's Youth Sports Program will offer T-Ball, coach pitch, baseball and softball for youth ages 4 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 2,500 Long Beach youth ages of 5 through 18. Although the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program returned in 2021 to support 828 youth softball and baseball players at 23 City locations. Notably, LADF added funding for a Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator position to the grant agreement. This is a position that is hired and managed by the Affiliate Partner to focus on the Dodgers Dreamteam program.

"Dodgers Dreamteam is about helping kids reach their goals in school, at home, and in their communities through sports-based youth development," said Nichol Whiteman, CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. "We're grateful for our continued partnership with the City of Long Beach and look forward to seeing so many young people at the parks!"

The 2022 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).
• Minors Baseball (Boys) and Softball (Girls) Divisions: Game days are Tuesday or Thursday evenings at 5:30 or 7:15 p.m. Participants must be born in 2012 or 2013.
• Majors Division (Boys) and Softball (Girls) Divisions: Game days are Tuesday or Thursday 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 Tuesday or Thursday 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, necessary sports equipment, personal protective equipment, and resources that address basic needs, education and healthcare. Participants will also have free access to LADF programs like Dodger Days, Fitness & Nutrition Clinics, Coaches Trainings, Player Development Trainings and College & 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.

Registration for the 2022 summer is available now through May 31, 2022, online. In-person registration assistance is 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 [email protected].

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.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 171 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) is recognized for excellence in management practices and programs, having received the National Parks and Recreation Association Gold Medal Award four times. PRM provides leisure programs and services to residents and visitors, which improve quality of life in Long Beach. PRM maintains 166 parks with 26 community centers, 320 acres of open space, and 6.1 miles of beaches; implements the City's Open Space Plan, provides recreational opportunities to meet diverse community needs, maintains public marinas, and provides for public safety and the humane treatment of animals.

For more information about the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine programs and services, visit http://www.longbeach.gov/park. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos. Bigger than baseball, LADF envisions a city where everyone regardless of zip code has the opportunity to thrive. Since 1995, LADF has invested more than $40 million in programs and grants to nonprofits leveling the playing field. LADF is the proud recipient of ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award, Beyond Sport's Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award, and the Aspen Institute Project Play Champion.

To learn more, visit dodgers.com/LADF, follow them on Twitter, @DodgersFdn, Instagram, @dodgersfoundation, and like them on Facebook at facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.

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