Six years ago, the Boyle Heights Dodgers Organization was only a dream, an idea, a thought that was imbedded in the minds of its founders with the hopes that one day this dream would be a reality. They wanted something different for their community.  They wanted to bring something to Boyle Heights that would surpass the  stereotypical opinions that are usually attached with this area on East Los Angeles. 

          This dream finally took form in the year 2001.  The regular baseball season at Aliso Pico Rec Center had just concluded.  Brothers, Juan Carlos and David Serrano, (along with another individual who is no longer part of the organization) decided to unite and form a baseball team. The baseball team was formed by kids from their community.  Together with the children, they worked hard to prepare themselves to compete at a level never before seen in the area of Boyle Heights.This team of 12 children, ages 9 – 10, joined a baseball league that would give these children the opportunity to travel to other cities and compete with other teams from different areas all over Southern California.  Without uniforms or proper equipment, they went out there and played baseball with their hearts.  They endured many things that season, that enabled them to grow stronger as individuals and most importantly, as a team.  The players, parents and coaches realized that with their pride in their minds and in their hearts, they would represent their community...the place their roots came from... Boyle Heights.          

       The following year, the team was better prepared ,both physically and mentally.  There was something else in the horizon though...a new team.  With the success of the first team, a second team began to form.  The second team was formed of kids, ages 6 – 8.  This new addition reinforced that dream of creating an organization that would expose these children to learn and play baseball at a completely different level.                      

        As time elapsed, the level of play for both teams continued to improve and the name "Boyle Heights Dodgers" began to be noticed.  It was then that they joined the Continental Armature Baseball Association or C.A.B.A (as it is better known) where still new opportunities would present themselves.  Throughout the years we have suffered many defeats, but all of them have been useful in improving our teams.  The victories have been a blessing and satisfaction for all the effort and hard work. Many of those same victories obtained our teams invitations to several important tournaments and qualifiers in such states as Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Arizona, Florida and Cooperstown in New York.  However, due to financial reasons we were unable to attend these "out of state" tournaments. In 2006, the second team ,now 12 – 13 years of age traveled to Las Vegas for a Memorial Day Tournament and placed 3rd.  In 2005, the first team, managed to place 1st in a tournament of 25 teams.  It was at this tournament that the team won 8 of 9 games with only 10 players on the roster.  Being able to win under those conditions were a great reward for every one involved.  As of today, the Boyle Heights Dodgers organization has 4 teams. Of which most recently, our 11U team traveled to Las Vegas for a tournament as well and placed 3rd.

          One of our mottos has been, "not to let money interfere with talent".  With this concept in mind, the organization leaders decided not to charge a monthly fee to be part of any of the teams.  This was unlike many travel ball teams who depend on this monthly fee to run their teams.  All funds raised through raffles, candy sales, t-shirt sales (with our logo) and sponsors are used to purchase the teams uniforms, equipment, pay for league fees and tournaments.  All of our coaching staff and teams moms are not paid for their services.  They simply offer their time for the wellness of the kids.  We also,  count with the support of several of the local businesses who offer financial assistance to us every year, and help us head in the right direction.  Ideally, our most sincere wish is to one day have the means to send our teams to compete and win in unexpected places. Most importantly, we would like for one day to have a field that our boys could call "our own field of dreams".    

          Though our emphasis is mainly on baseball, we also value the importance of instilling in the kids to give back to their community and help other low income families.  Every year, our teams and their families adopt low income families in our community and distribute toys, food and clothes to ensure they have a Happy Holiday season.  We have also had the opportunity to visit children who would spend the Holidays at White Memorial Hospital, it was there that the children from our teams would deliver a toy and wished them a Merry Christmas.  In addition, every year, we have the honor of helping "The Garden of Progress" (located in Boyle Heights) by providing toys for all students of the pre-school, during the Holiday season.

            In conclusion, the years have brought many new and good experiences for everyone in the Boyle Heights Dodgers Organization.  What started with 12 boys, without uniforms or equipment, is now 43 boys who make up 4 different teams.  It is thanks to the perseverance of all our players, coaches, parents and sponsors that the Boyle Heights Dodgers have been able to  give these kids a safe and healthy way to represent Boyle Heights.