Dodgertown Historic Timeline

2000s

  • The LG Twins professional team from South Korea trains at Dodgertown.

  • On August 29, Indian River County purchases the land and facilities at Dodgertown from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

  • Continuing in the long tradition of teams visiting from Asia, the Osaka Buffaloes of Japan’s Pacific League train at Dodgertown in the fall. The Buffaloes returned the following fall to train once again.

  • The Osaka Buffaloes of Japan train in the fall at Dodgertown, their second visit to Vero Beach.

  • The Vero Beach Dodgers play their final season in the Florida State League, their 27th overall.

  • The Tampa Bay Devil Rays Class-A team play the first of two seasons at Holman Stadium and are known as the “Vero Beach Devil Rays”.

  • On March 17, the Dodgers’ final major league Spring Training game was played at Holman Stadium, as the Dodgers lost to the Houston Astros. The Dodgers, who will train in Glendale, AZ in 2009, saluted former Manager Tommy Lasorda with a “bat tunnel” as he exited the field for the last time.

    In December, Indian River County officials, not sure what to do with Dodgertown without a team, decide to shutter the facility.

  • In May, Minor League Baseball (MiLB) agrees to operate the site as “Vero Beach Sports Village”.  It reopened the property with teams, tournaments and umpire schools participating in year-round activities.