by Erin Edwards
On a warm June morning in Pasadena, the crack of a bat and the hum of community energy filled the air at John Muir High School. What looked like a softball game was something more — a declaration of power, unity and healing.
For the second year in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s City Connect Showcase, presented by Fanatics and Nike, brought young athletes and the community together. But this year’s game on June 21 carried even more meaning as the first to feature softball.
It served as a platform for Dodgers Dreamteam softball players from the 2024 Nike RBI Regionals team and it welcomed the John Muir High School varsity softball team for a cross-community showdown.
These girls weren’t just teammates and competitors; they were trailblazers, each swing and slide reinforcing their place in the game.
“It’s like a sisterhood,” said John Muir player Abigail Milton. “All of us coming together and playing like a family… I feel comfortable playing with all these girls. I know they’re here for the same reason as we are.”
That sisterhood was evident both on and off the field.
The energy of Dodger Stadium came alive in Pasadena, thanks to DJ Severe, Public Address Announcer Todd Leitz and Dodger Host Kirsten Watson. Dodger catcher Will Smith and pitcher Blake Snell jumped in as assistant coaches, inspiring the athletes from the dugouts while the players sported the iconic Dodgers City Connect jerseys.
The day encompassed more than softball.
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, LADF also hosted a Dodger Day — a community resource fair designed to meet urgent needs. Families from Pasadena and Altadena received health screenings, hygiene supplies, educational support and access to food and basic essentials — all while cheering on their local youth.
“Being here today showcases woman power,” said Sophia Fabriga, a Dodger Dreamteam athlete. “Sports is a male-dominated field, so this moment kind of overrules that. It shows what levels we can reach as women, (and) playing in front of these Dodgers, it’s an honor.”
The event also recognized resilience in action. Two small businesses — The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop and Niecy’s Delights — were awarded $10,000 grants, presented by Bank of America and LADF, to support recovery and rebuild.
“This year’s showcase is more than a celebration of girls in sports — it’s a powerful reminder of how community, compassion and opportunity come together in times of need,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of LADF. “We’re proud to support families recovering from the Eaton Fire while giving our girls a platform to shine.”
The resource fair was full of activations from LADF and partners: Dodger Dogs, World Series trophy photos, science and baseball activities, coach recruitment, Olympic gold medalist Jenny Topping and so much more.
For more on LADF’s relief efforts and how you can get involved, visit Dodgers.com/Relief.
More than a game: Celebrating girls, community and resilience at City Connect Showcase was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.