The U.S. champion Jackie Robinson West Little League all-star team will visit Dodger Stadium today, taking batting practice, meeting former Dodger players and being honored before the game against the Colorado Rockies.
The team from the Washington Heights neighborhood of Chicago was the first all-black team to reach the Little League World Series since 1983. It defeated the all-star team from Mountain Ridge Little League of Las Vegas, 7-5, Aug. 23, to win the U.S. championship, but lost to the all-star team from the Seoul (South Korea) Little League, 8-4, the following day, in the championship game.
Dodger outfielder Carl Crawford “adopted” the team in 2013, helping it financially, after being inspired by its play in the Great Lakes Region
Tournament.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
Grammy-nominated rhythm and blues singer Christian Milian will sing the national anthem.
The Dodgers will conduct their 17th annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers beginning at 2 p.m. in Lot 6.
Here is the schedule of La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers activities:
2-3 p.m. — Autograph signing by Tommy Davis, the 1962 and 1963 National League batting champion, and Al “The Bull” Ferrara, an outfielder with the Dodgers in 1963 and 1965-68;
2-4 p.m. — Autograph signing by Dennis Powell, who pitched for the Dodgers in 1985 and 1986;
2-2:50 p.m. — Dodger first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and relief pitcher Kenley Jansen will participate in a question-and-answer session;
2-2:50 p.m. — Autograph signing by Dodger pitchers Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley, infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena, announcer Nomar Garciaparra and SportsNet LA reporter Alanna Rizzo;
2:50 p.m. — CAVA performs;
3-4 p.m. — Autograph signing by Dodger announcers Jaime Jarrin, Jorge Jarrin, Rick Monday, Manny Mota, Charley Steiner, Fernando Valenzuela, Pepe Yniguez, Davis, scout Mike Brito and Rizzo;
3:30-4 p.m. — El Conjunto Nuevo Ola performs;
3:30-4 p.m. — Autograph signing by Ferrara and Tim Leary, who won a career-high 17 games with the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship team;
4-4:30 p.m. — Jaime Jarrin, Yniguez and Valenzuela will be interviewed;
4-4:50 p.m. — Autograph signing by Dodger pitchers Pedro Baez, Carlos Frias, Yimi Garcia, Paco Rodriguez, catcher Tim Federowicz and infielder Miguel Rojas;
4-5 p.m. — Autograph signing by Leary;
4-5 p.m. — Autograph signing by Kenny Landreaux, an outfielder on the Dodgers’ 1981 World Series championship team;
4-6 p.m. — Autograph signing by Derrel Thomas, an infielder-outfielder on the Dodgers’ 1981 World Series championship team;
4:30-5 p.m. — Trio Ellas performs;
4:20-4:50 p.m. — Dodger shortstop Hanley Ramirez will make a special appearance; and
5:15-5:45 p.m. — DJ Scoop DeVille performs.
All auto gates will open at 2 p.m. and all stadium gates at 4 p.m. for the 6:10 p.m. game.
