Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is getting the 2025 season rolling in a big way. This Saturday, April 12, the LADF is hosting its first Coaches Training of the year at none other than Dodger Stadium, and they’re doing it in partnership with Nike. Pretty cool, right? This event isn’t just about drills and fundamentals — it’s about teaching coaches how to be mentors, role models, and leaders for young players across the city.
The training series is part of LADF’s mission to use sports as a tool for positive change. They’re teaming up with some incredible partners like the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, Positive Coaching Alliance, and the Dodgers Training Academy to help coaches learn not just the X’s and O’s, but how to support kids emotionally and socially through baseball and softball.
Coaches — including those from the Dodgers Dreamteam program — will spend the morning in hands-on sessions covering everything from youth engagement to trauma-informed coaching. And to cap it all off? A fireside chat with Dodgers first base coach Chris Woodward. That alone is worth showing up for.
With Jackie Robinson Day right around the corner (April 15), this training carries extra weight. Jackie wasn’t just a legend on the field — he stood for teamwork, integrity, leadership, and more. That’s why LADF launched the Living Jackie’s Nine Playbook last year — a resource for coaches to bring Jackie’s values to life with their teams. This year, it’s also being released in Spanish for the first time, making it even more accessible for LA’s diverse coaching community.
Nichol Whiteman, CEO of LADF, put it best: “Jackie’s nine values are a guiding light when we look at the importance of trusted mentors and leaders… we’re proud to welcome our coaches to Dodger Stadium as they prepare to inspire the next generation.”
And because it wouldn’t be a Dodgers event without some perks — participating coaches will get exclusive giveaways, photo ops with the 2024 World Series trophy (yes, THAT one), and entry into a raffle to win tickets to the Jackie Robinson Day game on April 15. Oh, and everyone gets a custom “Coach for Change” shirt, a copy of the playbook, and an official coaching certificate.
If you or someone you know is interested in coaching and making a difference in a kid’s life through baseball or softball, now’s the time to get involved.
Good work, Dodgers — and here’s to shaping the future one coach at a time.
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