Dodgers WIN gives women an edge
02/06/2006LOS ANGELES -- It's early February, and more than 100 women ages 21 through 55 arrived at the Dodger Stadium Dugout Club for the Dodgers' first Women's Initiative and Network (WIN) event of 2006.
Launched in May of 2005, Dodgers WIN offers women special access to the game experience through events and ongoing programs, including clinics, seminars, and forums involving Dodgers players, coaches and staff. WIN takes an active role in promoting community involvement and educational programs, and gives women invaluable professional and social networking opportunities.
"The turnout here is beyond our expectations," said Dodgers president and vice chairman Jamie McCourt, who created WIN. "The women here have been so supportive of what we are trying to accomplish in trying to bring more and more women into the Dodger family is so rewarding."
McCourt, who attends every WIN-related event, especially enjoys the networking events like this one where women get together and find mutual interests through baseball and to kick off what will be happening this season.
"Tonight is really to introduce them to all the opportunities programmatically that we've got going," said McCourt, who is the highest-ranking female executive in Major League Baseball. "Whether it's clinics, whether it's breakfasts, whether it's opportunities in the Dodger program, networking with one another or sports in general -- understanding the rules, understanding what their children can do at the stadium. There are so many things we want to talk about."
One woman who was attending her first WIN event was Debi Little, the wife of new Dodgers manager Grady Little.
"This is amazing," said Little, who spent the day house-hunting with her husband. "In the past few years, I've seen more and more women going to the ballpark, and here is a great opportunity for women to really understand what is happening on the field and behind the scenes. And not only that -- to network with each other -- they may have some commonalities outside of baseball as well, so it's a wonderful opportunity for women."
Little saw tonight's event as a great way to educate herself not only about WIN, but also what the Dodger organization is about.
"Living on the East Coast all my life, I grew up really more a Yankees fan, and so I know the East Coast teams," said Little. "But, believe it or not, I watched when Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, Davey Lopes and those guys played. I admired the Dodgers from afar -- even though it wasn't the team I'd pull for to win the World Series and they did (in 1981). But I really watched the Dodgers at that time and remembered those guys."
So imagine Mrs. Little's thrill that the two guest speakers at the event were Garvey and Cey, who are both big supporters of WIN.
"I think this is a great idea," said Cey, the Dodgers' third baseman from 1973-82. "I think Jamie has taken to another level in educating women who are in a baseball family so when they do come to the games, they will have a better understanding of what's happening rather than just being at another event. Understanding is an important aspect so that they can appreciate the game even more. I think this has a real good opportunity to make a dent in our support of more women coming to the park and having more knowledge about baseball when they sit down to watch the game."
For Garvey, who is married and has five daughters, women have always been important in his life -- especially when he was offered his first professional contract in 1968.
"I always love talking about my mom closing the Dodgers deal," said Garvey, who is still on the Hall of Fame ballot after an All-Star and MVP career with both the Dodgers and Padres from 1969-87. "When I was drafted out of Michigan State, I was offered $25,000 and all of a sudden, mom took over and it was up to $40,000, a new car and my education was paid for.
"The influence of women in business is so dramatic nowadays, and Jamie's initiative is, I think, well thought-out, building momentum and very much needed as a woman who is a leader in the business world."
Increased interest in the initiative has attracted new sponsors to join WIN in supporting its vision, including Smashbox Cosmetics, the presenting sponsor of WIN Fan Appreciation Day, which is scheduled for July 29. Trader Joe's will be the presenting sponsor of Game 3 of the Dodgers WIN mini-plan on June 1, when the Dodgers take on the Phillies. In addition to the new sponsors, Macy's, Staples and JJ Creations Inc. are continuing their support of WIN and select WIN events. McCourt is thrilled with the response she has gotten from people who attended past WIN events.
"My favorite things are when women write me and say, 'My husband wanted to be down on the field with me, and he was so jealous that I got to be with Jeff Kent or Tommy Lasorda,'" said McCourt with a smile. "I've also received really poignant letters from women who have said, 'In all my life, this was the best day I have ever had -- my son came with me and he was so proud of me that I was learning about baseball.' It doesn't get much better than that."
Source: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/
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