The Backyard Batting Cage

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

Legendary Los Angeles Dodger pitcher, and the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela will throw the ceremonial first pitch tomorrow prior to the Little League Baseball Northwest Region championship game.

The game will be played at the Little League Western Region Headquarters Complex in San Bernardino, Calif. The ceremonial first pitch will take place at Al Houghton Stadium at 3:50 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time, just before the scheduled 4 p.m. start of the championship game. The game will be televised live by ESPN.

The game will feature Gresham (Ore.) National Little League against Post Falls (Idaho) Little League. The winner advances to the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.

Last August, Mr. Valenzuela hosted the Mexican Little League team at Dodger Stadium prior to its trip to Williamsport to play in the Little League Baseball World Series. The team got to watch Dodgers’ batting practice and attended a game. Later that month, Valenzuela made a surprise phone call to Little League International Headquarters where the Mexican team was gathered before the Little League Baseball World Series International Championship game. Valenzuela gave the youngsters a pep talk and fielded questions from the entire group.

Last season, the Dodgers also welcomed the 2011 Little League Baseball World Series champions, Ocean View Little League from Huntington Beach, Calif., at Dodger Stadium prior to the final home game of the regular season. The Little League Baseball World Series champions watched batting practice, met the Dodgers, took infield practice on their first Major League field and stood alongside the Dodgers in front of the dugout during the national anthem.

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