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By Erin Edwards
Vital to a positive baseball experience is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic coach. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is committed to ensuring that the coaches of their Dodgers RBI are the best possible.
Part of this commitment included providing the opportunity for RBI coaches to participate in a one-of-a-kind coaches clinic. The LA84 Foundation sponsored a clinic June 14 led by the dynamic Jake Alba of “Coaching Simplified.” Alba, a former USC baseball player, brought out former MLB and college players to help teach not only the skills of how to coach, but also the philosophy behind team building and making it fun.
Mikey Williams/Los Angeles Dodgers
The instructors also included John Jackson from ESPN Radio and Fox Sports West, who played in the NFL and was the 1989 USC Trojans baseball MVP. Other coaches were Tony Nieto, a pitcher and captain for USC, and former MLB player Jim Vatcher. The instructors led coaches in stations including hitting, infield and outfield, pitching and catching.
The overall response from the coaches was very positive. Most are already looking forward to attending next year’s session. For dedicating their time, the RBI coaches were awarded tickets for an upcoming game.
Over 2,500 underserved youth are benefiting from LADF’s RBI program this year. As Magic Johnson said, “Dodgers RBI is built on the belief that making baseball accessible to inner-city youth can make a difference on the field, at school, in the community and in these youngsters’ futures.” Strong coaches are an important element needed to make this happen.
Mikey Williams/Los Angeles Dodgers
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