PlayBall!

Alameda's Sandlot Saga

Executive Producer - Kin Robles

TBA
 

Alameda has always been a baseball town. The boys baseball program, expanded in 1956, established a summer activity that would thrive for the next 25 years.

A Simpler Time

PlayBall! is the story of a simpler time when kids played baseball for the sheer love of the game. Using photographs and rare home movies - never before seen by the public - the story of a tee-shirt league that embodied the ideals of a community is brought to life. Interviews with the players who formed lifelong friendships and the coaches who set impressions to last a lifetime uncover what made the ARPD baseball program so remarkable.

PlayBall! chronicles the players, park directors, fields, uniforms and countless memories from a model recreation program that few cities across the country could replicate. This two-part series paints a fascinating portrait of joy, dedication and accomplishment that made playing in the ARPD baseball program an unforgettable experience.

A Baseball Town

Alameda has always been a baseball town. Sandlots dotted the Island long before vast forests of oak gave way to urban development. When the Alameda Recreation and Park Department expanded its boys baseball program in 1956, it established a primary focal point of summer activity that would thrive for the next 25 years.

Under the guidance of Recreation Supervisor A.J. "Lil" Arnerich, the new leagues would ultimately provide thousands of local boys a chance to play organized baseball regardless of skill level or financial status. The dedicated staff of ARPD playground directors fostered a tradition of teaching baseball and life skills to boys ranging in age from first grade to high school. Future state and city leaders, police captains, businessmen, teachers, outstanding citizens, professional coaches and major leaguers all participated in the ARPD program.

Return of the Native of the Alameda Sandlots

Producing PlayBall! was a labor of love for Executive Producer Kin Robles of Red Bridge Media. "The ARPD impacted so many young lives including my own. To this day I can't drive by Alameda's baseball diamonds and not be whisked back to a summer day decades ago. We lived for the parks and to play baseball."

Back in the day there were no parents to complicate the games or how they played. The park directors let the kids have fun and enjoy baseball in its purest form. Kids respected that freedom.

Robles said, "I hope 'PlayBall!' reminds viewers of the positive impact these programs had on previous generations and can continue to have on future generations."

World Premiere

On January 22nd, 2004, Alameda Power & Telecom was proud to sponsor a very special event — the world premiere of PlayBall! — Alameda's Sandlot Saga.

All ticket proceeds went to support Alameda's Friends of the Parks. Learn more...

Purchase the DVD!

If you're interested in purchasing a PlayBall! DVD, download the order form (a PDF file), contact Red Bridge Media at or call 925.759.2090. DVDs are $20.00, plus $2.00 for shipping and handling.

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