One Camper's Fantasy

Day 8

With camp over and everyone catching vans and taxis to the airport, some of the pros just starting to arrive and the staff in pre-spring training meetings, Dodgertown seems deserted.  It is a good time for reflection on the camp and the Dodgertown experience.

First of all I must give a "tip of the Dodger cap" to the Dodgertown staff.  Now, I know it is the staff's job to make sure that everyone has a good time and that they did.  But although this was work for them, you could not tell it from their attitudes toward us.  Everyone from the clubhouse and grounds guys to the dinning room personnel to the front office staff truly appeared to enjoy working here at Dodgertown and that attitude came through to us loud and clear.  There was always a smile and a hello whenever they passed you or you needed assistance with something.  Some of them even remembered your name, not necessarily because of a formal introduction but just from associating it with the name on your uniform or hearing it being called out in the buffet line.  That is just not something you generally see or hear, even in the highest rated resorts. 

Each camper had his own reasons for coming, expectations as to what he will or will not receive.  I have expressed mine here in this journal and can only say that I feel truly lucky to have been given the opportunity to participate in this experience.  It is true that this is, generally speaking, not the "vacation of a lifetime" that the whole family might enjoy.  I know my wife would definitely prefer a trip to Europe or Israel. But in listening to the others talk about their childhood dreams and memories, previous camp experiences, whether here or at other pro camps, there was no doubt that this experience, from a sports camp point of view, was one that has had no equal and will never be forgotten.

The guys who attended came from all parts of the country, though most were either from California or New York, and represented a variety of professions. 

We had our lawyers and doctors, investment consultants and insurance types, contractors and cops.  We had guys who could play, former college or minor league players, and guys who could barely swing a bat.

But we all had one thing in common, the love of baseball and the love of the Dodgers.

I can only hope that I get the opportunity to return again someday.