Three New Dodger Dreamfields Unveiled
at San Bernardino’s Blair Park
The City of San Bernardino along with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and its lead partner, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, unveiled three new Dodger Dreamfields at a ceremony on Saturday, May 18 at Blair Park.
Among the attendees were Dodgers third base coach and Inland Empire native Dino Ebel, along with San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, Council Member Ben Reynoso, County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., and countless little leaguers who participated in a baseball and softball skills clinic and enjoyed free Dodger Dogs.
“I had chills driving up to the park this morning like my first day in the big leagues,” said Ebel, who attended San Bernardino Valley College for two years. “For the youngsters here today, dream. Dream big. Because they do come true. And this is where it starts.”
“I love this park so much,” said City Council Member Ben Reynoso, who stopped speaking at one point to admire the new scoreboard. “I probably spent too much time here as a kid. To see these brand-new baseball fields here is an incredible gift to the residents of San Bernardino.”
The fields at Blair Park represent the 61st, 62nd, and 63rd fields that have been built or refurbished by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation since 2003. Blair Park received $1.7 million, including $1.4 from San Manuel, to complete the refurbishment of the three baseball and softball fields.
“We cannot thank the Dodgers Foundation, San Manuel, and all the sponsors enough,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “The youth in San Bernardino deserve great fields to play on and that is happening because of this partnership.”
The refurbishments include new playing surfaces and grass, enclosed fields, upgraded dugouts, upgraded irrigation systems, new pitching mounds, bullpens and LED scoreboards resembling Dodger Stadium.
“We are so happy the fields are ready in time for kids to play on them this summer,” said Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director, Lydie Gutfeld.
The Dodgers Foundation has invested nearly $20 million to date and has a goal of building 75 Dodgers Dreamfields by 2033 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles in 1958.
In addition to the Dodgers Foundation and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, project sponsors include the LA84 Foundation, the Helen and Will Webster Foundation, and Security Benefit.
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