JC's Dodger Snapshots | June 15: Under the Lights in Los Angeles

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have held a few of these events in the past, where fans can hit in the batting cage, pitch from the bullpen, field grounders and fly balls, and take a behind the scenes look at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers allowed me, as Bleacher Report's community leader, access to the most recent event. I was joined by Cathy "Cat" deLeon, the sister of my good friend Dr. D, who contributed some of these photos.

Lined up for fun

Folks line up behind center field for the event, a total of 225 fans attended this event which cost $500.

Greetings to the event

Looking up to the Dodger Diamond vision board from the left field warning track. Dodger retired numbers are displayed along the pavilion roofline. Here we see #2, retired for manager Tommy Lasorda, and the #4 of Duke Snider.

The Dodgers policy is to retire only the numbers of members of the Hall of Fame who played a significant portion of their career with the Dodgers. An exception has been made for Jim Gilliam, a long time player and coach going back to the Brooklyn days. Gilliam's #19 was retired after his death just before the 1978 World Series.

Breaking the seal on the festivities

Looking towards home plate from the warning track in left-center.

Edge of warning track

Looking down from the previous shot. It was interesting how short the grass is trimmed and the fairly large size of pebbles on the warning track.

Looking down the left field wall

Standing in front of the bullpen gate, where some of the best arms ever in Major League Baseball history prepared to dominate the opposition.

The small window under the 360 sign looks out from the room where players can sit and watch the game.

View from the pen

This is the view from the rubber in the Dodger bullpen. Yeah, I was kind of freaking out standing on this special patch of dirt. But in a good way.

Dodger Dugout

A look at the bat rack and bench in the Dodger dugout. Manager Joe Torre's favored perch is just to the right of this shot.

Serving up the pitches

Dean Lagasse, a coach at Village Christian High in nearby Sun Valley, was the primary batting practice pitcher. He did an excellent job trying to let the fans look good.

From the batting cage

Another shot of Dean, from the batter's box.

Speaking of which...

Standing at home during BP

Early line up

The first few fans line up for their shot in the cage.

Kids of all ages took advantage

Of this chance to fulfill some dreams.

Including the Cat

Shot of the swing that has wrecked havoc on softball fields from Los Angeles to San Diego. Dr. D and I helped teach her the enjoyment one can derive from team sports. Cat was quite the basketball player as well.

Dodgers Championship Banners

Displayed in the right field corner, just below the main dining room at Dodger Stadium, is banners honoring the World Championship teams. Shot taken from right field.

Grilling Up Some Burgers

Chef seasons some burgers for the fans. This station is on the warning track directly behind home plate.

Of course these were here!

Can't have a proper meal at Dodger Stadium without some grilled Dodger Dogs. Tasty!

Bill of Fare

Courtesy of Levy Restaurants, the food service vendors at Dodger Stadium.

They also have the contract at Staples Center, home of the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Under the stands behind home plate

This is the clubhouse for the new seats behind home plate. Food served here is included in your ticket price. There are a number of artifacts on display...

Vin's Emmys

...including these Emmy's awarded to Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully...

1955 artifacts

...and this ring and ball from the Dodgers only championship in Brooklyn.

The ball is from the last out of game seven, and is signed by all the players on that team. The autographs of Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella are on the top of the ball.

Timeline in Hallway

One wall leading from the elevators has a timeline of major events in Dodger history from their time in Los Angeles...

Player and Manager names

While the other side has the names of all players and managers going back to Brooklyn days. Jackie Robinson's name is in the center of this display, with the rest displayed at random.

Hallway to the Dodger Clubhouse

Framed jersey's of all retired numbers in Dodger history line the path as players walk to their clubhouse.

One empty frame is closest to the clubhouse as incentive for current players, will their number be enshrined next?

Batting cage between clubhouse and dugout

Sadly, due to major league rules, no photographs are allowed in the clubhouse.

Outside the clubhouse, adjoining the laundry and showers, is a batting cage where players can get loose prior to pinch hitting. There is a long hallway where they can run wind sprints to get loose as well.

This is where Kirk Gibson was hanging out during game one of the 1988 World Series before emerging in the ninth inning to make some history.

Players signing in dugout

Dodger catcher Russell Martin signs autographs for the fans, with Dodger legends Ron Cey and Steve Garvey flanking him.

Keeping the wife happy

A good Dodger fan and better husband has his wife's jersey signed by her favorite player, Ron Cey. She couldn't make the event, and her guy stepped up to take care of business.

It should be noted the reason I had Cat join me, beyond her photography skills, is because Cey is her all time favorite player as well.