Scout Braces for Trip to Louisiana

Dennis Moeller will return home today to Slidell, La., wind his way to his doorstep and brace himself. The Dodger scout and former major league pitcher was visiting his parents in the San Fernando Valley when Hurricane Katrina hit.

Since then, he has been on the road, working and wondering, fretting and feeling fortunate.

“I’m not expecting to find a whole lot,” he said. “I’ve accepted that fact. I’m lucky to be healthy and alive. If I find rubble, so be it.”

Moeller said he would move to Jackson, Miss. His scouting territory is Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, so eventually he will go back to canvassing the Gulf Coast for baseball talent.

One of his tasks will be to keep track of high school prospects who relocate because of the hurricane.

“There may be kids from New Orleans who are going elsewhere,” he said.

Already baseball is being played in the area. Moeller will scout a junior college tournament today at Louisiana Tech in Rustin. But first he will go home to see if he can salvage any belongings.

“I hope to recover some things,” he said. “I have pictures, articles, memorabilia, that type of thing. But it’s nothing compared to what other people have lost.”

Brothers Matt and Xavier Paul, Dodger minor leaguers who played for Class-A Vero Beach, also are from Slidell. Their parents’ home was severely damaged.

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The Dodgers will hold a silent auction to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts today and Sunday at the club level of Dodger Stadium. Items were donated by players and include Eric Gagne’s signed mitt and Jeff Kent’s signed jersey.

Dodger players will match the amount raised by the auction.

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Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton of the double-A Jacksonville Suns combined for a no-hitter in a 2-0 victory over Birmingham in the first game of the Southern League playoffs.