The Santa Monica High baseball team had a unique experience Sunday. It played in Dodger Stadium.
The occasion was the championship game of the RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner City) Tournament, which began with 17 teams.
The event is part of the ever-growing off-season schedule of games high school teams are permitted to play. When the official high school season ends, the other leagues begin.
Samohi Coach Kevin Brockway guided the team in RBI play, too. Samohi went 11-3 in the league, then won three playoff games to reach the finals. Players who were seniors last season weren’t eligible, so the team was made up of players who’ll be on the Samohi varsity next season.
Santa Monica lost Sunday to Roosevelt, 3-2.
“In seven innings we got 24 players into the game,’’ said Brockway. “It was a great experience and I wanted everyone to play in Dodger Stadium.”
Samohi committed five errors. Highlights included Garret Griffin getting two hits, Mike Schwartz hitting a single, Johnny Huerta stroking a double, Nick Lerner driving in a run and James Nedelman pitching two scoreless innings.
The teams didn’t use the Dodger Stadium dressing rooms. They arrived in their uniforms. Samohi occupied the first base dugout.
In a busy off-season many of the same players competed for the Santa Monica American Legion team prior to beginning the RBI schedule.
Brockway also coached the Legion team.
The Samohi team defeated Venice, North Hollywood and Crenshaw in the playoffs to reach the championship game.
Some other squad members were Chris Fiala, Milan Depilars, Joe McGrew and Kevin Gonzalez.Following a one-month break, the team will continue its off-season play in a Fall league. Brockway will not coach that team because high school coaches aren’t eligible to do so.
