by Erin Edwards
For many young athletes, it’s more than just a game when they step onto a new field in a city that is thousands of miles away from home. It’s a dream coming true.
Three Dodgers Dreamteams packed their bags and boarded a plane to Seattle for the Nike RBI West Regional Tournament on July 26. It was an all-expenses-paid trip covered by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF).
For most, it was their first time traveling out of state. For all, it was an opportunity to grow on the field, gain confidence and develop connections with one another.
For the Dodgers Dreamteam Juniors, the weekend ended with something unforgettable: an undefeated run and a ticket to the Nike RBI World Series in Vero Beach, Florida.
“I feel like it’s definitely helped me improve as a player, improve my skills and also social skills, too,” said Sophia C., a Dodgers Dreamteam participant. “I’ve made bonds and friends with people I probably never would have met if I didn’t play with Dodgers Dreamteam. Overall, I feel like it’s made me into a better person. I’m most looking forward to creating new memories with my team and also definitely the competition. I feel like that’s going to be very hard — but I think we got that.”
Sophia’s words echoed what so many felt in Seattle: this is bigger than baseball.
It’s about the quiet pride of wearing a Dodgers Dreamteam jersey on a national stage.
The early morning wake-up calls and pre-game jitters fueled them ahead of their game. The friendships built between dugout chants and post-game snacks. It’s parents watching their children succeed in new environments and knowing just how much it took to get there.
“She’s worked so hard in school and on the field,” said Wendy N., a parent of a Dodgers Dreamteam participant. “Seeing her happy, confident, and energized means everything to me.”
The tournament brought together youth athletes from across the West. Dodgers Dreamteam players showcased their talent in a schedule filled with games.
The Junior team won all four games they played, dominating on both sides of the ball. The team finished their strong run in the tournament with a 6–0 win in the championship over Baseball Beyond Borders.
The Seniors rallied from early losses to close out the tournament with back-to-back wins. The Dodger Dreamteam softball team gained experiences that will shape future seasons to with a win on Day 2.
“It gives young athletes the chance to develop, not just as players, but as people,” said Miss P, a softball coach for the Dodgers Dreamteam at Compton Youth Academy. “(They) experience things they might never have the chance to otherwise.”
As the Junior team prepares to represent Los Angeles on one of the biggest youth stages in baseball, they represent the reason Dodgers Dreamteam program was started: to create access, unlock potential and show young athletes that they belong — on the field, in the dugout and far beyond.
Next stop: Vero Beach, Florida.
From LA to Vero Beach: A Dodgers Dreamteam squad is headed to the Nike RBI World Series was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.