Opening Day and more Dodgers news

The new Dodgers season is upon us!

For Echo Parkians, however, baseball season is bittersweet. It’s GREAT to be able to walk to the games and we love being Dodgers fan, but the traffic and the noise and fighting for a seat at the sports bars before the game…. Well, it can get a little hectic.

Opening Day

Opening Day is the worst. So prepare yourself. On Monday, April 1 the Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants once again. Here are some details for opening day:

• Pregame ceremony starts at 12:10 pm and will include a one minute fireworks display at 1:00 pm
• Parking gates and stadium gates will open at 10:00 am
• Street closures are as follows: Scott Avenue between Stadium Way & North Boylston Street; North Boylston between Academy & Stadium Way; Lilac Terrace between Stadium Way & Lookout to Stadium
• The a-frame signs (“Local Access Only”) will be placed throughout the neighborhood
• Early LADOT staffing at Sunset/Elysian Park & Academy/Golden State Gate C areas
• Police officers will be monitoring all activity with a zero tolerance policy in mind
• Scott Avenue gate will be open on opening day, but for exit traffic only

Report any non-emergency security concerns to our Neighborhood Focus line at (323) 224-2636.

Stadium Renovations

There have been a lot of changes at the Stadium, including installation of a sophisticated wi-fi network (YES!), a new clubhouse, and new “amenities” on all levels (we think that means restrooms).

All the renovations will debut at tonight’s Exhibition Game versus the Angels, which starts at 7:10 pm.

Craft Beer!

Admittedly the most exciting rumor circulating around Twitter isn’t the renovated restrooms (although that’s awesome). It’s the BEER! Word is Golden Road Brewing will be on tap, finally introducing craft beer to the craft services at the stadium (by the way, Shock Top is not craft beer).

With the growing craft brewery scene in Los Angeles, we hope this is just a starting point for Dodger Stadium to start supporting local craft beer. We’ll toast to that!

This should be an exciting year – with all the roster changes, fans are hoping this will be a winning year and the high ticket sales are reflecting just that. See you at the stadium!

Should an Echo Park intersection be named “Vin Scully Square”?

Twitter photo via Whitney Holtzman (@WHoltzman)

Last night, Dodger Stadium honored 84-year-old Dodger Stadium announcer Vin Scully with his very own bobblehead. Current GEPENC president and CD13 candidate Jose Sigala also wants to honor the legend – he is petitioning for the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Elysian Park Avenue be officially named “Vin Scully Square.”

The corner is just a stone’s throw from the Elysian Park gate into the Stadium, and where you’ll find some of the heaviest traffic after a big game. It

Click here to sign Sigala’s online petition.

Scully also ust recently announced he will return next year for his 64th season in 2013!

Attention sports fans: The much-anticipated Vin Scully Bobblehead design

Image via LAist

Of all the Dodgers promotional nights, we have a feeling the Vin Scully Bobblehead night is going to be the one to get. LAist has the scoop on the just-released design for the famous announcer’s much-anticipated bobblehead. The give-away takes place on the Thursday evening, August 30 game versus the Diamondbacks.

Unfortunately for most of us, they are un-attainable unless you’ve got a 10 game Flex Plan. Smart move, Dodgers…

Photo of the day: Dodgers Stadium after the storm

Flickr photo via Carlos Ontivero

Hello Dodger Stadium, and WOW. This amazing shot came up on Flickr tonight from Elysian Park. Bravo Carlos, bravo.

What to expect in Echo Park on Dodger Stadium opening day

The new season of baseball at Dodger Stadium (with new owners!) is also going to be it’s 50th year – that’s right, the stadium opened in 1962 after bulldozing a whole neighborhood in Chavez Ravine.

But we all know about that – so here’s what you can expect in Echo Park if you’re new to the whole Opening Day hoopla at Dodger Stadium, taking place on Tuesday, April 10 at 1:10 pm in a game versus Pittsburgh:

1. Pre-gaming: Tailgating has started as early as 7:00 am, loud music for us neighbors to hear included. But the LAPD will be in full force, arriving as early as 4:00 am to the command post, to crack down on any debauchery.
2. The Scott Avenue gate will remain open this season for outgoing traffic only on high traffic days (it was just re-opened a few years ago after being closed for a decade).
3. Gates open at 10:00 am – which could be a good thing or a bad thing.
4. Pregame ceremony starts at 12:30 pm, and will include a military flyover 10 minutes before the start of the game
5. As in past years, the Dodger Stadium Express Metro service will run. Service will run from Union Station every 10 minutes, starting 90 minutes before the start of the game, after which it will run every 30 minutes. Ticket-holders ride free, or it’ll cost you a mere $1.50 (better than the $15 parking fee!).
6. Traffic, traffic, traffic: Department of Transportation personnel will be deployed to certain intersections to help mitigate traffic issues. Since the game is pretty much sold out, the 50,000 fans that descend on Elysian Park will certainly cause some heavy traffic before and after the game, so plan appropriately!

As we mentioned, the LAPD will be out in full force to keep everyone under control – it’s been just over a year since Bryan Stow was beaten to near death by some trouble-makers in Dodger gear, so we hope the same tragedy won’t be made again.

Be sure to call the Neighborhood Focus line at 323.224.2636, or the command post at 323-344-5707 if you any issues.

Bobbleheads and blankets: 2012 Dodgers promo schedule

Opening Day is upon us, make sure you mark your calendars and take advantage of the goody give-aways for kids and adults! We’ve definitely got our share of Dodger gear – the “sleeved fleece,” blankets, bobble heads, and more!

Friday Night Fireworks are also back – so every home game on a Friday there will be fireworks for everyone to enjoy (we have a super secret spot near our house where we watch the show!). There will also be fireworks for the 4th of July celebration.

A Dodgers "sleeved fleece." Yes please!

Opening Day / 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium
Tuesday, April 10 at 1:10 pm vs. The Pirates

Clayton Kershaw Cy Young Replica (Cy Young Award Presentation)
Wednesday, April 11 at 7:10 pm vs. The Pirates

Dodger Stadium Replica
Saturday, April 14 at 6:10 pm vs. The Padres

Kids Jackie Robinson Sweatbands
Sunday, April 15 at 1:10 pm vs. The Padres
Also: Kids Run the Bases, Viva Los Dodgers

Sleeved Blanket
Tuesday, April 24 at 7:10 pm vs. The Braves

Bobblehead #1: Don Drysdale and Maury Wills
Saturday, April 28 at 6:10 pm vs. The Nationals

Kids Clayton Kershaw Replica Jersey
Sunday, April 29 at 1:10 pm vs. The Nationals
Also: Kids Run the Bases, Viva Los Dodgers

(more…)

Flyover and parachute jump performance at tonight’s Dodger game

Flickr photo by reddawg31

In conjunction with Navy Week in Los Angeles, tonight’s Dodgers game against the Arizona Diamondbacks will feature a flyover and parachute jump performed by the US Navy team, the Leap Frogs. The demonstration is also part of the Navy Appreciation theme that will be taking place at the Stadium this evening.

The game starts at 7:10 pm, so keep your eyes on the sky around 6:50 pm.

Also, in preparation for tonight’s event there will be a similar flyover and parachute jump earlier in the day between 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Call the Neighborhood Focus Line at (323) 224-2636 with questions or concerns.

Dodgers’ Throwback Days to kick off with WWII flyover

photo from the Dodgers website

Next Wednesday’s game (June 15) vs. the Reds at Dodger Stadium will kick off the first day of Dodgers Throwback Days, where the team will sport a rendition of the 1940s Brooklyn uniform (we say rendition, because it’s not quite an exact replica of the originals). To tempt you further – the stadium is also offering half off all food and drink that do (and no, alcohol doesn’t count).

Prior to the start of the game, which is 12:10 pm, will be a flyover by several World War II planes in conjunction with Throwback Days.

As usual, there are a few tickets for neighbors in the Echo/Elysian Park and Solano Canyon communities. They are on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can email the Neighborhood Relations Manager Noel Pallais at noelp@ladodgers.comwith your name, the number of tickets you want, your address and phone number. If you want free tickets – make sure to send your request by noon on Friday, June 10th!

If you have any issues with the Stadium, call the Neighborhood Focus Line at (323) 224-2636.

Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium smoked out

So we’re at the Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium on the Reserve level, enjoying talking to locals like Bennett Kayser (who just won a School Board seat the other day), neighbors, and other EPIA members when all of a sudden this plume of smoke comes barreling down on us. Not too long after, an officer announces to our section that we should all move seats toward the other part of the stadium.

As it turns out, a “cinder block storage room away from public” on the upper level had caught fire, according to the LA Times. Thankfully, there was a helicopter nearby to shine its big bright light on the smoke. Soon thereafter, firefighters arrived – but at the 7th inning, the crowd was distracted, confused, and the Dodgers were losing 6-1 to the Marlins.

According to the announcement at the Stadium (just before we left due to the choking burnt plastic smell), the fire was under control. Thankfully, no panicking, no evacuation, but the Dodgers couldn’t pull it through. Hopefully the next Echo Park night out will be more successful!

Last chance for tix to Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium

Last year’s Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium (aka Community Night) was a lot of fun – we got to meet new friends who live in the community and watch a Dodgers game. This year’s community night is coming up fast – Saturday, May 28 at 7:10 pm.

Hosted by the Echo Park Improvement Association, Community Night is an annual tradition you shouldn’t miss out on! Plus, half of the proceeds to the Echo Park Historical Society to aid in the restoration of the Jensen’s Recreation Center sign.

Tickets are just $10 for reserve seats.

Click here to contact the EPIA to reserve your tickets, or email epiamail@yahoo.com. You can also call the message line at 877-860-EPIA.

Please provide your full name, phone number, email address, and the number of tickets you’d like to purchase. The EPIA will follow up with directions on how to pick up/receive your tickets.

See you there!