If you build it, they will come.
MLB announced that “Historic Dodgertown,” the former Spring Training site of the legendary Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach, will be renamed the “Jackie Robinson Training Complex”. The new Jackie Robinson Training Complex will serve as a year-round Field of Dreams for amateur development initiatives and events designed to diversify and strengthen the talent pipelines of baseball and softball.
.@MLB is honoring Jackie Robinson in a place he once called home. pic.twitter.com/VYFVyVhBi4
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) April 2, 2019
It’s historically appropriate that the first integrated MLB Spring Training location in the South will now serve as home to a variety of diversity-focused efforts led by MLB.
Major League Baseball has been strategic, active and blatant in its efforts to diversify the sport from the grass root levels up through the minor leagues, MLB and executive ranks. The progress MLB has made in reintroducing the game of baseball to the African-American community has been slow but evident as three African-American ballers were chosen in the first 10 picks in 2017 and three more — including potential NFL No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray — were chosen in the first round in 2018.
Preserving and celebrating Jackie Robinson’s incomparable legacy is always the launching point for the various initiatives that MLB’s diversity/inclusion and youth development teams implement each season.
No longer will it be known as Historic Dodgertown. Facility will be call the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, and big plans are in store. That’s Jackie’s son David helping MLB commissioner Rob Manfred with the unveiling. #MLB pic.twitter.com/TBoZC4Uu1g
— By Bill Whitehead (@BillWhiteheadFL) April 2, 2019
The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., former Historic Dodgertown Chairman & Dodger Owner Peter O’Malley, and members of the Robinson Family, including Rachel, Sharon, and David – Jackie’s wife, daughter and son, respectively.
The Robinson Family said: “We’re thrilled that MLB will rename Dodgertown after Jack. He was devoted to young people and we’re excited to know that boys and girls will come here to advance their baseball skills while learning to be compassionate, productive, well-educated adults.”
MLB is commemorating the centennial celebration of the birth of Jackie Robinson throughout 2019, with League and Club efforts boosting activities led by the Jackie Robinson Foundation. This includes a year-long schedule honoring Jackie’s legacy as an athlete, civil rights leader, politician and philanthropist, including the dedication of the Jackie Robinson Training Complex.
Last month, Oscar-winning director Spike Lee and The JRC debuted “Impact” , a three-minute film about Jackie’s cultural impact. The centennial celebration concludes with the grand opening of Manhattan’s Jackie Robinson Museum in December.
Spike Lee Directed short film “Impact” celebrates 100 years of Jackie Robinson as MLB celebrates Jackie’s legacy all season long.
@JRFoundation @budweiserusa @MLB #impact #spikelee pic.twitter.com/1IFgn8xBUV— LA MAQUINA DE SOMBRAS (@FANalyst1) March 26, 2019
Constructing Baseball’s Diversity Haven
MLB will soon begin renovations on the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. A new indoor training facility for consistent training and workout opportunities for young athletes as well as improvements to Holman Stadium.
Currently, the Jackie Robinson Training Complex features Holman Stadium (6,500 seat capacity), four additional full-size baseball fields, one half field (90-foot base paths, no outfield), four softball and youth baseball fields, eight indoor and lighted batting/pitching tunnels, four outdoor batting tunnels with pitching machines, 32 mounds & home plates for individual work, and a 60-yard agility & warm-up area.
#WATCH: Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach renamed the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. WPTV's @JonShainman with the full story. https://t.co/wEW0V4Ea8a pic.twitter.com/p8VNLMZT5P
— WPTV (@WPTV) April 2, 2019
Field Of Dreams
MLB, which assumed operational control of the facility on January 2nd, will immediately begin planning a series of youth-focused events at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, which come at no cost to the participants.
These events, which are scheduled throughout the summer in 2019 in conjunction with USA Baseball and Major League Baseball Players Association.
Baseball Breakthrough Series East – June 6th-10th
Girls Baseball Breakthrough Series – June 14th-18th
It’s #WomensHistoryMonth, and we had some ladies in Texas making history this past weekend. 💪 #MLBGrit pic.twitter.com/eMEfLK1wnr
— MLB (@MLB) March 13, 2019
Softball Elite Development Invitational – July 12th-16th
RBI Baseball & Softball World Series – August 4th-15th
The Hank Aaron Invitational (July 21st-August 2nd) is one of the crown jewels of MLB’s youth development initiatives. The event, formerly known as EDI (Elite Development Invitational) will host approximately 250 players (ages 13-18) from across the United States to receive elite-level training from former Major League players and coaches.
Former Mets/White Sox Jerry Manuel speaks to the young men attending the Elite Development Invitational. pic.twitter.com/3qlilUKU8E
— Dave Gallagher (@DaveGallagher22) July 20, 2016
EDI began in 2015 and claim more than 100 alumni who either play professionally in Club Minor League systems or at the collegiate level.
There’s no lack of inspiration for the participants. Previous event instructors included former Major League manager Jerry Manuel and former All-Stars such as Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, Patrick Mahomes Sr., Tom “Flash” Gordon, Eric Davis, Marquis Grissom, Reggie Smith, Bo Porter, and Delino DeShields, just to name a few.
