L.A. Dodgers Set to Host Inaugural Adult Softball Camp

Jessica Mendoza was heading to the broadcast booth at Dodger Stadium when she was approached by a waitress in the Dugout Club. The Hispanic woman was in her late 50s and had worked at the stadium for nearly 20 years. 

She heard about the inaugural Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Softball Camp the organization was hosting and asked Mendoza how she could participate.

“She’s never been able to hit on the field or feel like she’s a Dodger before,” Mendoza said. “She told me whatever you need me to do, I want to be there. She asked me how she could get a chance just to work the event. It nearly brought me to tears because she was so excited.”

In an effort to reach more of their female fan base, the Dodgers created an Adult Softball Camp, which will debut Sunday at Dodger Stadium. The organization has held Adult Baseball Camps for many years, but decided to broaden their offerings to appeal to a wider audience as softball’s popularity continues to skyrocket.

Mendoza, a former Stanford All-American and Olympic gold medalist, and Natasha Watley, a former UCLA All-American and Olympic gold medalist, will be the guest stars at the camp. The Southern California natives are lifelong friends who grew up cheering for the home team.

“I am an LA Girl, I am a Dodger fan, and they are trying to appeal to women so this is checking all my boxes honestly,” Watley said. “They do this already for men, and it’s a big hit, and they just thought that there might be a woman audience. I would assume that there are a lot of ex-softball athletes that are from the LA area and would love to have a day where they hang out and be spoiled.”

The camp, which has a registration fee of $675, has sold out. The goal was to have enough participants to fill two teams. The enrollment has reached enough for four teams. The campers will have exclusive use of the Dodger facilities, including the field, clubhouse, batting cage and training room. They each have their own clubhouse locker and receive a customized Dodger jersey.

The campers range in ages, ethnicities and skill levels. A few former UCLA and Stanford softball players will be taking part. Even Mendoza’s 70-year-old mother, Karen, will be on the field wearing a jersey and swinging a bat.

“This camp is really important. As a little girl, I always wanted to play for the Dodgers. That was my dream,” Mendoza said. “As a kid, I always watched the game and thought I would love to experience and feel like a Dodger for a day. That’s what I feel like this event is. It fulfills that dream in a small way for a lot of women while having it centered around their sport.”

The vibes at the camp should be even better since the Dodgers clinched the National League West title on Thursday night and are preparing to host a playoff game. Mendoza and Watley want to ensure everyone at the camp has a positive experience in what the former Team USA teammates hope is the first of many adult softball camps for the Dodgers and professional baseball overall.

“I just want a low key, fun day where the participants can get rejuvenated,” Watley said. “I really just hope this brings joy to everyone who is taking part.”

(Photo credit: L.A. Dodgers)