Why Not the California Collegiate League All-Star Game at the Urban Youth Academy on Wednesday?

So, are you aching for some Baseball during this mid-season break?  And I don't mean wasting away in front of the TV watching the MLB All-Star game that's being played across the county.  How about watching an All-Star game closer to home?  Or better yet, how about spending the day scouting some potential future Major League ballplayers?

Well, this coming Wednesday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m. is the California Collegiate League All-Star Game, and it will be played at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.  Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. MLB UYA members will be admitted free and receive one free hot dog and soda.  Fox Sports West will broadcast the game live to a national audience.  Here is the California Collegiate League website.

Sixty (60) of this season's top performers and top prospects will participate in the nationally-televised 2013 CCL All-Star Game and Prospect Showcase.  Also, before the game, the 60 players will also participate in pregame workout for scouts and college coaches.  Start time for the scouting combine is 2:00 p.m.

Of the 60 players, 9 were previously drafted by a Major League club; including 2 ballplayers drafted this year.  Go here for a complete list of players.

MLB Urban Youth Academy
901 E Artesia Blvd,
Compton, CA, 90221 

From the press release:

The California Collegiate League is a non-profit organization incorporated by eight non-profit amateur baseball organizations in greater Southern California dedicated to the development of student-athletes from across the country and providing inexpensive family-friendly entertainment to our home communities. The CCL organizes a 39-game championship season from June 1-Aug 15 annually and requires its players to use wood bats and professional-level baseballs to further their development as prospects. In 2012 there were 261 collegiate athletes participating in the league, 156 of which were Division I players, representing 22 Division I conferences and 72 Division I schools.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2013 - Dodgers Links - The Shirt Off Puig's Back, Disco Loney and Pederson

A Dodger family photo featuring Scott Van Slyke, Yasiel Puig, Juan Uribe and Adrian Gonzalez.  Pic via Dodgers tumblr.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Zack Greinke capable of getting on a roll".

Greinke isn't just a good pitcher, he's a streaky pitcher and -- like a lot of things in this rapidly improving Dodgers season -- his fortunes appear to be on a rapid ascent. Saturday's 1-0 shutout of the Colorado Rockies, in which he gave up only two hits and struck out nine batters in 110 crisp pitches, was only the latest evidence. 

• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA shares a great story about how Yasiel Puig gave the shirt off his back to a wheelchair bound Dodger fan during Photo Day.
• Speaking of Photo Day, Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy shares some of his pics from the day.
• Via Scott Miller at CBS Sports, "Weekend Buzz: Dodgers' decision on Don Mattingly among first-half bests". 
• Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue shares his Top-25 mid-season Dodgers prospects.
• Wow!  Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo shares a bunch of pics that he took from inside a blimp abouve Dodger Stadium.  See them here.
• BTW, Freddie Freeman (who won against Puig in the Final Vote) injured his thumb and will not go to the All-Star Game.  His replacement will be Brian McCann.  Via twitter @Braves.

Brian McCann will replace Freddie Freeman in this year's All-Star Game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 14, 2013

• Tim Brown at Yahoo writes, "Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson inspired by older brother's perseverance".
• They had Disco Night at the Tampa Bay Rays, and I thought you would get a kick at seeing Disco Loney.  See more pics here.  Hat Tip: Reddit.

• Susan Lulgjuraj at Beckett writes about the MLB All-Star FanFest in NY and shares a whole bunch of great pictures.  
• Sports Collectors Daily also shares a whole bunch of photos from the MLB All-Star FanFest.
• Patrick Reusse at the Star Tribune wrties, "Nine traditions lost from baseball".

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Some Dodgers Photo Day Pics from Twitter and Instagram

Since I missed out on the Dodgers photo day festivities yesterday, I decided to check out twitter and instagram for some pics to see what I missed.  I was not disapointed.  Check out some of favorites below.

Dodger Stadium is ready for photo day. http://t.co/EFixzkmtnw
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) July 13, 2013

Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times starts it off, above, with a view of the Dodgers field in preparation for Photo Day.  Below, Scott Van Slyke, organist Nancy Bea Hefley and AJ Ellis pose for a fan.  BTW, Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy shares some of his own great pics here.

Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Juan Uribe and Tim Federowicz can be seen below.

Matt Kemp - the future politician.  He was out and about kissing Dodger babies.

.@TheRealMattKemp shaking hands and kissing babies: pic.twitter.com/WhLsgA3mKc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 13, 2013

The newest Dodger, Ricky Nolasco, can be seen below.

Cuban sensation, Yasiel Puig, was extremely popular.  Also, Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA shares a great story about how Puig gave the shirt off his back to a wheelchair bound Dodger fan during Photo Day. 

.@YasielPuig et al: pic.twitter.com/gEkaeupiD5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 13, 2013

 

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Dodgers Sunday Videos: Kemp on Rome, Kershaw and a Fan-Made Puig Highlight Video

Here are this Sunday's Dodgers videos:

Here is Matt Kemp with Jim Rome on Showtime.  He shares his thoughts about the final season of SHOWTIME's hit original series "Dexter", plus dishes on a potential hoops match-up versus Lakers legend and current L.A. Dodgers owner Magic Johnson.

Video Link:

This is something vintage.  ABC 'Monday Night Baseball' commercial featuring the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. Spot aired in July, 1976.

Video Link:

DodgerFilms was in Arizona to catch some Dodger games and caught a funny exchange between Clayton Kershaw and a Diamondbacks fan.  Kershaw thanks a fan for telling him he sucks.

Video Link:

Check out this great Yasiel Puig highlight video.  Awesome!

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 7/13/2013 - Dodgers Links - Kemp's Big League Chew, Kershaw and Puig is Day-to-Day

In the photo above from last night, Japanese-American War Veterans James Ogawa, Hitoshi Sameshima and Don Seki threw out the first pitch. Pic via Jon SooHoo/2013 LA Dodgers 2013.

• Jason Stark at ESPN provides his "Best (and worst) of the first half," and Clayton Kershaw is highlighted as the NL's best pitcher.
• Packages of Big League Chew bubblegum with Matt Kemp (the 1st ballplayer ever on the package) are now available in stores.  Checkout a pic below via twitter @DuranSports.

• Via Mike Gates at NotGraphs, "The Many Crimes and Misdemeanors of Yasiel Puig".

And finally, in addition to stiffing Luis Gonzalez, Puig has shoulder checked Mike Schmidt into a locker, chased Henry Aaron with a bat, mocked Edgar Martinez for not having a position, and urinated on the grave of Harmon Killebrew. Beware, the legend Puig mocks next could be your own.

• Check out a great video of Clayton Kershaw helping out ShareFest at Kershaw's Challenge.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "2013 MLB Draft: Dodgers signed 28 of 40 picks".
• "Yasiel Puig's status deemed day-to-day after Dodgers' loss," via Andrew Gastelum at the LA Times.

"This is day to day," Mattingly said after the Dodgers' 3-0 loss to Colorado. "We just have to do a better job of communicating. Guys get banged up, if he needs a day off ... there's no shame in that."

Puig, who was pulled in the fifth inning after grounding out twice, said his condition improved from Thursday, when he was taken out in the eighth inning.

"It feels a lot better, but there's a lot of games left in the season," Puig said. "I'll rest and get some treatment on it tomorrow."

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Today is Photo Day and Jackie Robinson "42" Movie Day at Dodger Stadium

If you don't already know, today is the annual Dodgers' Photo day at Dodger Stadium.  Fans will be allowed to come onto the field to meet with their favorite players with cameras in hand.  The centerfield gates open for fans at 1:00 PM, and the game against the Rockies starts at 4:15. 

I've collected numerous past Photo Day photos and posted them on this blog.  Check out some pics from 2010 here.  And here are a couple of post from 2012, here and here.  UPDATE:  As a special treat, here are some Dodger Photo Day pics from 1966.

It's always a fun time.  So, be sure to get there early.  And if you're so inclined, pass along some of your own pics from on the field.  Id be happy to put them up here.

As a special treat, after tonight's game fans can stick around to watch the Jackie Robinson movie "42".  Heck, even a couple of stars from the movie will be on-hand to celebrate the occasion.  From a previous Dodgers press release:

After the game, fans are invited to join in Dodger Stadium’s first-ever Movie Night featuring Legendary Pictures’ “42.” Academy Award®** winning director Brian Helgeland, actors Chadwick Boseman and John C. McGinley and Dodger great Don Newcombe, a teammate of Jackie Robinson, will participate in a question and answer session prior to the screening of the hit film “42.” Prime Ticket talent Jim Watson will serve as host of the Q&A.

Saturday’s ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by “42” star Chadwick Boseman who plays Hall of Fame Dodger Jackie Robinson in the film. Boseman will also officially start the game with “It’s Time for Dodger baseball!”

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