While fans and players prepare for another incredible baseball season, today was a grand slam day for Boys & Girls Clubs as Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred joined me at two Club renovations in greater Los Angeles to celebrate the upcoming finals of the World Baseball Classic. 2017 is the 21st consecutive year that Boys & Girls Clubs of America has served as an official charity of MLB.
With Commissioner Manfred at the Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim.
Renovations at the JMAC Teen Center of the Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim are being supported by MLB and the Los Angeles Angels, while MLB and the Los Angeles Dodgers are helping with work at the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley. These projects are part of a $2 million commitment by MLB to renovate one Club in each of its markets between 2016 and 2020. Renovations will primarily focus on teen centers and playing fields connected to Clubs.
Retired Angels players and team Chairman Dennis Kuhl joined us in Anaheim to install new lighting, furniture, and paint to an improved Tech Center filled with new computers and a state-of-the art 3D printer. Club Executive Director John Machiaverna and his team were thrilled at the progress.
In West San Gabriel Valley, Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten, former Dodgers players and several elected officials – including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti – joined Scotts and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to provide field refurbishments, a new backstop, updated fencing and massive field improvements. The field will be added to the renowned rosters of Dodgers Dreamfields and Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Youth Development Parks. Executive Director JR Dzubak and board volunteer Roger Licht of the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley were also on hand.
Continuing an annual tradition, BGCA’s National Youth of the Year Jocelyn W. will be delivering/delivered the official game ball of the last game of the World Baseball Classic. Participation in a MLB game is an annual tradition for our National Youth of the Year winner.
During Major League Baseball and BGCA’s partnership over the last two decades, there has been a longstanding commitment to ensure young people are improving their health and fitness by getting involved with programs under MLB initiatives. The Play Ball initiative highlights the many ways baseball can be played at Boys & Girls Clubs, including T-ball, Pitch Hit and Run, PLAY BALL Fitness, and RBI. In addition, Club members have opportunities to create lifelong memories as part of once-in-a-lifetime activations, including being part of pre-game activities at the World Series and All-Star Game, and on-field opportunities with players and front-office executives.
Since MLB™ designated BGCA as an official charitable partner in 1997, this highly successful relationship has given countless children the chance to realize their dreams both on and off the field. We are forever grateful for the many opportunities extended to our kids through this amazing partnership.

Renovations at the JMAC Teen Center of the Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim are being supported by MLB and the Los Angeles Angels, while MLB and the Los Angeles Dodgers are helping with work at the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley. These projects are part of a $2 million commitment by MLB to renovate one Club in each of its markets between 2016 and 2020. Renovations will primarily focus on teen centers and playing fields connected to Clubs.
Retired Angels players and team Chairman Dennis Kuhl joined us in Anaheim to install new lighting, furniture, and paint to an improved Tech Center filled with new computers and a state-of-the art 3D printer. Club Executive Director John Machiaverna and his team were thrilled at the progress.
In West San Gabriel Valley, Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten, former Dodgers players and several elected officials – including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti – joined Scotts and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to provide field refurbishments, a new backstop, updated fencing and massive field improvements. The field will be added to the renowned rosters of Dodgers Dreamfields and Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Youth Development Parks. Executive Director JR Dzubak and board volunteer Roger Licht of the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley were also on hand.
Continuing an annual tradition, BGCA’s National Youth of the Year Jocelyn W. will be delivering/delivered the official game ball of the last game of the World Baseball Classic. Participation in a MLB game is an annual tradition for our National Youth of the Year winner.
During Major League Baseball and BGCA’s partnership over the last two decades, there has been a longstanding commitment to ensure young people are improving their health and fitness by getting involved with programs under MLB initiatives. The Play Ball initiative highlights the many ways baseball can be played at Boys & Girls Clubs, including T-ball, Pitch Hit and Run, PLAY BALL Fitness, and RBI. In addition, Club members have opportunities to create lifelong memories as part of once-in-a-lifetime activations, including being part of pre-game activities at the World Series and All-Star Game, and on-field opportunities with players and front-office executives.
Since MLB™ designated BGCA as an official charitable partner in 1997, this highly successful relationship has given countless children the chance to realize their dreams both on and off the field. We are forever grateful for the many opportunities extended to our kids through this amazing partnership.