NOTEBOOK : Local Field Scores on Players’ Homers
Hometown heroes Chili Davis of the California Angels and Eddie Murray of the New York Mets did their part to help raise money to renovate the baseball fields at Harvard Park in South-Central.
Davis, the former Dorsey High star, and Murray, who attended Locke, each hit home runs on the Fourth of July as major and minor league baseball players raised $645,000 through the Coca-Cola--Homers For America program.
Davis and Murray’s home runs were two of the 129 hit during the day’s 14 major league and 80 minor league contests. Coca-Cola USA and Major League Baseball will contribute $5,000 for each home run.
The money will be used to refurbish youth league ballparks throughout the country, including Harvard Park at South Harvard Boulevard and 62nd Street.
Last season, the Coca-Cola--Homers For America program awarded $500,000 to 15 youth organizations in 13 cities. Los Angeles Dodger outfielder Eric Davis, who hit a home run last year on the Fourth of July, served as representative for Harvard Park, which was added to the program this year.
*
Shrine game--Antonio Carrion of Dorsey High was the only area football player selected to participate in the 42nd Annual North-South California Shrine All-Star Football Classic on July 24 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach.
Carrion, who plans to attend San Diego State in September, caught 33 passes for 762 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Dons last season.
The game is sponsored by the Al Malaikah and El Bekai Shrine Temples to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children (Los Angeles Unit).
The South, which defeated the North 38-0 last year, leads the series 21-15, with five ties, since 1952.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Shrine Football Office or through Shrine clubs in Southern California affiliated with Al Malaikah Temple. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Information: (213) 749-0166.
*
Minor League report--Former Los Angeles City College outfielder Orsino Hill is making his presence felt on the Angels’ Class-A team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hill is batting .338 with three home runs and nine runs batted in. . . .
Remember when the Dodgers cursed their luck after selecting Cal State Los Angeles pitcher Bill Bene as their No. 1 draft pick in 1988 instead of Chicago White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura? After overcoming arm injuries and control problems, Bene is pitching for the Dodgers’ double-A team in San Antonio. The right-hander has a 2-3 record with a 4.29 earned-run average. He has 51 strikeouts and 24 walks in 42 innings. . . .
James Lofton, the former Fremont High and Los Angeles City College star, has stolen five bases in 12 games for the Cincinnati Reds’ Rookie League team in Princeton, N.J.
More to Read
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.