Los Angeles Dodgers Announce the Launch od youth training academy in Redondo Beach
For all those major league baseball hopefuls out there, a first of its kind Dodger Training Academy is coming to North Redondo with one of the biggest names in baseball attached.
Former Major League Baseball all-star Nomar Garciaparra has lent his name to the new youth sports training facility called E|L1 opening later this year on Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Redondo Beach, taking over the former Velocity Sports Performance location.
Along with Garciaparra, the sports center also has the backing of professional baseball player Aaron Trolia and a brand endorsement from the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s mission is to “elevate youth through sport,” Trolia said in an interview.
“If you feel like little John is falling behind or really wants to get an edge in a certain area, they are getting a ton of one-on-one time and attention, within that group setting,” Trolia said. “We do it this way because its way more cost effective for the families.”
The new training facility will offer one-on-one as well as group coaching opportunities for baseball hopefuls aged 8 to 14 years old. E|L1 will work with the Dodgers to spread its academy’s across Los Angeles along with mobile camps and clinics.
“E|L1 is a player-first organization that values personal development just as much as training and winning, and believes that youth of all ages and skill levels should have great access to the game,” said Garciaparra, who has made the beach cities his home with wife and soccer star Mia Hamm, in a statement.
One state that caught Trolia’s attention he was said was that 85 percent of participants drop out of organized baseball by the age of 13 years old. They want to counter this by creating an “extremely positive” environment through professional instruction, elite curriculum and a “support system that prioritizes mental health and well-being.”
Their goal is to create the “most optimal learning environment” with leadership skills and lessons on how to be a good teammate. They also encourage families to be active.
Trolia said he knows the importance of being a product of little league and recreational baseball and he said he was lucky enough to have two coaches who had played at a high level. He said six of the 12 players from his area, a small neighborhood outside Tacoma, Wash., including himself, went on to play professional baseball.
While the GBG Training Academy was founded in 2015, Trolia had started facilities and programs in Washington including the Northwest Prospects Academy, 5 Tool Academy, RISE Football and Softball University. He said much of what GBG became was derived from the academy he started in 2010.
In late 2015, Trolia said Garciaparra was on a flight with Dodgers CFO Tucker Kain when the discussion reaching more youth through baseball was ignited.
“We’ve been carefully searching for the right investment in youth sports for years,” said Kain, in a statement.
They held a pilot program in December 2016 at Dodger Stadium, and brought out some top prospects to participate.
“This is an amazing way to really make a personal impact on families and take that experience from Dodger Stadium and start to bring fans closer together to grow the game of baseball which is the ultimate goal… we not only want to maintain the foundation we have now, but increasing and creating a fan base as well,” Trolia said.
Trolia said the Dodgers want to reach all skill levels of players from different social economical backgrounds. He said it’s about “keeping kids in the game longer, keeping them engaged and giving them the best opportunity to pursue something in sport, high school or college, or dreaming about being in a Dodgers uniform.”
“Or, if you’re just a kid who loves the game and who wants to play as far as you can,” he added.
A soft opening for current member is expected to take place in September followed by a public opening later in the year.
