HISTORIC DODGERTOWN’S FIRST FAMILY GATHERS FOR REUNION
The fourth generation of the O’Malley family will have an opportunity to enjoy Vero Beach during Thanksgiving week when they join second and third family generations for a reunion at Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida. Peter O’Malley, Historic Dodgertown Chairman, and his sister, Terry O’Malley Seidler, a founding partner of the world-famous, multi-sport training and conference center, will be joined by their children and grandchildren, in Vero Beach from November 25-28.
For 67 years, the O’Malley family has been closely connected with Vero Beach, since Dodgertown first was established as Spring Training home of the Dodgers in 1948. The O’Malleys developed, expanded, maintained and modernized Historic Dodgertown from 1948-1998 and 2012-present.
“Starting with our parents’ first visit to Vero Beach, Historic Dodgertown has been our home away from home,” said Peter O’Malley. “My sister Terry and I want to introduce our grandchildren to this very special place and community.”
In 1948, Terry and Peter’s father, Walter, was Vice President part-owner of the Dodgers when Dodgertown opened and became Major League Baseball’s first integrated Spring Training site in the South. Walter was named Dodger President in October, 1950 and he immediately enhanced Historic Dodgertown by privately building Holman Stadium, which is still used today for professional and amateur games, events and concerts. He also replaced the old barracks, which had been used by the U.S. Navy during World War II, with modern accommodations, upgraded the dining room, added a working press room and built a new Dodger clubhouse.
In 1954-57, Terry worked as secretary for the camp director at the Dodgertown Summer Camp for Boys. From 1962-65, Peter’s first full-time job was Director, Dodgertown.
When the Dodgers left for Arizona after the 2008 Spring Training season, Indian River County-owned Dodgertown was shuttered. It was reactivated as a multi-sport camp by Minor League Baseball the next year. In 2012, when Dodgertown was about to be shuttered for a second time, O’Malley, Mrs. Seidler and former major league pitching stars Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo stepped in to preserve its iconic stature.
Historic Dodgertown was recently named “Large Company of the Year” by the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. In November 2014, for its historic importance, the site was recognized as a Florida Heritage Landmark. The comeback story continues, as just this year alone 2,900 games and practices have been held and over 850 groups have participated in events throughout the year. Of the more than 28,000 room nights each year created from Historic Dodgertown events, more than 50 percent are with community hotels
About Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida
“A Florida Heritage Landmark”
World-famous Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Florida is a multi-sport, 80-acre complex on Florida’s Treasure Coast managed by former Dodger owner Peter O’Malley in a partnership since 2012. O’Malley, whose family developed and expanded the site formerly known as “Dodgertown” for nearly 50 years, partnered with his sister Terry O’Malley Seidler and former Dodger star pitchers Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo.
On November 10, 2014, Historic Dodgertown was named a Florida Heritage Landmark for its unique historic significance extending beyond baseball, as the first completely integrated Spring Training site in the South. The “Baseball and Dodgertown” historical marker is located at the entrance to the conference center.
