Old Vero Beach Now State of Art

Pitchers, catchers and players rehabilitating from injuries will find many changes when they report to Dodgertown today, including a $5.5-million, state-of-the-art complex that houses the club during spring training.

The 30,000-square-foot, two-story structure and surrounding practice facilities mark the first phase of a $19-million improvement project at the sprawling, 468-acre site. The building includes a 3,400-square-foot clubhouse that dwarfs the team’s 800-square-foot room at Dodger Stadium, as well as larger spaces for weightlifting and physical therapy than at Chavez Ravine.

And there are other upgraded amenities, including a high-tech therapeutic spa, four indoor batting-practice cages and throwing areas for pitchers. A portion of the field at 6,500-seat Holman Stadium and workout fields also underwent makeovers. The minor league operation occupies the facility the Dodgers vacated.

Indian River County and the state provided taxpayer funds to persuade the Dodgers to remain at their spring home of 55 years. Under the terms of the deal, the state bought the Dodgertown land from News Corp. for $10 million and leases it to the club for $1 a year.

Dodgertown is considered baseball’s most majestic spring training complex, and now it may be the most functional as well.

“It’s a spectacular facility,” General Manager Dan Evans said. “Although we had a great setup before, what this does is make it one of the premier, if not the premier, place in baseball.”

Catcher Todd Hundley, reacquired from the Chicago Cubs in December, arrived early for workouts that begin Thursday and liked what he saw.

“It’s awesome,” said Hundley, who also played for the club from 1999-2000. “It’s not surprising the way the Dodgers operate. Everything is state of the art. It’s geared to make you the best that you can be. There’s no reason why you can’t get in there and get your work done. It’s by far the best spring training facility I’ve seen.”

That’s the way Craig Callan planned it.

The club’s vice president of Dodgertown and minor league facilities set out to give players “everything they needed to be successful,” adding that he “didn’t want to skimp on anything.” The Dodgers said he didn’t.

“His commitment to detail, to a lot of the little things that can really make a difference in getting a club ready, is really very impressive,” Evans said. “What the place will do is enhance our ability to get ready, and Craig deserves all the credit because this is his baby.”

Callan, a Dodgertown executive since 1978, has overseen the project from the outset after serving as the club’s point man in negotiations with the government to keep the team in Vero Beach. He even sketched the outline for the Dodgers’ dream facility and worked closely with HOK Sport Inc., a Kansas City, Mo., company that designs and builds stadiums, throughout construction.

“Dodgertown was the best facility in baseball, but then others caught up and there were some that were better,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president. “Now, we’re where we should be again: arguably the best in all of baseball.”