SoCal Opportunity Series

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The inaugural Opportunity Series will take place on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at Biola University in La Mirada, California. The Opportunity Series is a partnership between Prep Baseball Report California, The Inglewood Baseball Fund, and Biola University to provide a showcase and game opportunity for players from underrepresented communities. 

The event is free of charge to the participants and will include a showcase followed by gameplay. Participants will receive instruction on skill development, drills to help elevate their game, and tips on recruiting from current Biola University players, current minor league players, and former professional baseball players. 

The Opportunity Series came to be after a series of conversations between Jeff Calhoon, Erikk Aldridge, and Les Lukach who all concluded that this type of event would not only help to identify quality players from these communities, but also serve as a way to give back to the community. 

"The Inglewood Baseball Fund is very excited and feels fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with PBR California, and bring opportunities and exposure to aspiring young ball players who might not otherwise have the resources or guidance to participate in these types of showcase events," said Erikk Aldridge, Founder/Executive Director of the Inglewood Baseball Fund. "We want to continue to chip away at the notion and data that says playing baseball in college is restricted to players and families with the most financial resources."

“Here at Biola, being a part of our community and continuing to grow the game has been something on my heart since arriving here in summer 2019,” said Jeff Calhoon, Head Baseball Coach, Biola University. “Knowing how great baseball is at the grassroots levels in the city of Los Angeles excites me to bring youth from our area onto our campus and around our program. This event is to give evaluation and opportunity for players and exposure through Prep Baseball Report.”

“Growing up in an underrepresented community it has always been a goal of mine to be able to give back to similar communities through the game of baseball,” said Les Lukach, State Director of Prep Baseball Report California. “I couldn’t have been any luckier than to have people like Jeff and Erikk share the same mission and passion of providing opportunities to players who may otherwise not have the chance to attend events like these. The growth of the game of baseball is dependent on the youth, and we hope that this event will continue to stoke their passion for the game of baseball.” 

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