Veterans Honor Jackie Robinson at Baseball Fantasy Camp hosted by UCLA Bruins Baseball Team

Earlier this month, more than 50 Veterans joined the UCLA baseball team on the new infield at the Jackie Robinson Baseball Stadium to round the bases, swing the bat, and play catch at the annual Fantasy Camp for Veterans. The Jackie Robinson Day Fantasy Camp, hosted by UCLA, was held to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day and to honor the Army Veteran and Civil Rights icon.

UCLA and the VA have partnered to serve Veterans for more than 70 years, starting with the formation of a medical affiliation between UCLA’s School of Medicine and the VA healthcare center after World War II. Presently, the partnership provides healthcare, meals, legal aid, recreational opportunities, and other resources to Veterans and their families.

This longstanding partnership exemplifies the Community Engagement and Reintegration Services (CERS) mission to empower Veterans experiencing homelessness to recover and effectively integrate into their communities through dedicated recovery-oriented health services, community partnerships, and a Housing First approach to homelessness. These services provide Veterans and their families with resources they want and need to be successful.

To kick off the event, the Gary Sinise Foundation sponsored dinner for Veterans participating in the Fantasy Camp. Afterwards, Veterans joined the team on the new practice infield, chatted with team members, and took turns swinging at the ball in the batter’s box while being cheered on by UCLA head baseball coach John Savage.

Several Veteran Fantasy Camp participants reside in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program located at the VA West Los Angeles Campus. The program provides residents with medical, psychiatric, trauma focused, addiction therapy, case management, and recreational therapy treatment and services.

An integral part of the program at the Domiciliary is helping Veterans develop coping skills through positive experiences and interactions, such as the Fantasy Camp.

“The Domiciliary houses about 200 Veterans who receive services to assist them in meeting therapeutic goals and, when ready, get connected with outside social service and housing resources,” said Brenna Partridge, VA Certified Therapist Recreation Specialist.

Partridge went on to say, “The Jackie Robinson Fantasy Camp was one of many activities that take place monthly to create positive experiences for our residents. By visiting [Jackie Robinson Stadium], our residents gain comradery with Veteran peers, become comfortable with the surroundings, and engage in physical activity. Also, by becoming familiar with the stadium, they are more likely to go to a future baseball game at Jackie Robinson Stadium, which is one of the no-cost benefits that Veterans can enjoy.”

Friday, April 15 marked the 75th anniversary of the day UCLA alumnus Jackie Robinson diversified modern Major League Baseball as the first African American player in Major League Baseball by manning first base for the then Brooklyn Dodgers, wearing the number 42. Before joining the Dodgers, Robinson attended UCLA from 1939 to 1941, lettering in baseball, football, track, and basketball, then he served in the U.S. Army from 1942–1944.

UCLA was able to host the popular event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and will begin holding no-cost recreation programs for Veterans on the new practice field.

For example, UCLA will host Drop-in Veteran Tournaments for all Veterans from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday & Thursday, beginning April 19th† at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The events will include light refreshments and a chance to play bocce ball, ladder golf, and cornhole. For more information, call or text 310-844-5549