Dodgers dedicate Dominican facility after renovation

The Dodgers on Tuesday also held the official re-opening of Campo Las Palmas, their facility in the Dominican Republic and home to both of the organization’s two Dominican Summer League clubs.

Campo Las Palmas was originally opened in 1987, and among the upgrades include the renovation of seven existing structures and the construction of three new buildings, with the 10 buildings totaling almost 100,000 square feet on 70 acres of land.

Among the other features:

• 3½ fields & a covered area for batting and infield practice
• Running track
• Conditioning and weight room
• Clubhouse training areas
• Four classrooms, a quiet room and a “social area” for players
• Offices for the Dodgers international scouting department
• Offices and on-site housing for 96 players, 19 coaches, plus support staff
• Fruit and vegetable trees near the new kitchen
• Dining hall, which incorporates the Dodgers’ nutritional program
• Community Little League field

In addition, the new on-site Jackie Robinson Hall will, per the Dodgers, function as “a movie house that uses English-language films as part of language learning and is a place where players can spend time with their families when they visit Campo Las Palmas.”

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred was on hand for the dedication on Tuesday, as were Dodgers chairman Mark Walter, president and CEO Stan Kasten and senior vice president of planning and development Janet Marie Smith, among others.

Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has more:

"Baseball's continuing investment in the Dominican Republic and in the development of players is important to the economy here and it's important to our game," said Manfred. "I am struck by the fact that some of the features here really demonstrate baseball's priorities in the Dominican Republic. For all of us, it's not just about the development of players. It's also about the development of people and communities here in the Dominican Republic.

"That's why the Dodgers invested in four great classrooms and a first-class educational program. That's why they developed a program that encourages acculturation activities for the young men here and, maybe most importantly, why there's a Little League facility just inside the gates. It's about building a community as well as developing players."

Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez was also on hand for the ceremony, as was an old friend:

Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo has several photos of the new facility up at his blog.