3 Dodgers to Help Lead Youth Anti-Drug Clinic

Half a dozen professional baseball players will participate in an anti-drug baseball youth clinic Friday morning at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Sponsored by Baseballers Against Drugs, a Thousand Oaks based nonprofit organization, the clinic will run from 10 a.m. to noon, said Kevin Reid of GTE Directories, which is helping organize the event. Previous clinics have been held in Seattle, Cleveland, Tampa and Dallas, he said.

Scheduled participants include Dodgers starting pitcher Ismael Valdes, outfielder Roger Cedeno, third baseman Todd Zeile and Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks.

The clinic combines an anti-drug lecture with practice in hitting, catching and fielding, said Reid. About 500 youths between 7 and 14 years old are expected to attend.