Delta State University

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -- The Dodgers Dream Foundation, DodgersWIN and Dodgers pitcher Brent Leach and his wife, Sara, hosted a fishing trip for 34 kids through the Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundation on Monday afternoon.

The Long Beach Boys & Girls Club, School on Wheels and the Puma Anglers Club from San Miguel Elementary took part in the event and got to test their fishing skills on a crisp, sunny day.

The event, designed to immerse preselected inner-city kids in a safe outdoor experience, allowed the children to hang out with a professional baseball player for a few hours, and for some, the opportunity to cast a line for the first time.

"I think the best thing about it is just bringing them out here, because a lot of these kids don't get to come out to the beach, don't get to go fishing, don't get to meet people like the Dodgers," said Esteban Martinez, School on Wheels' Regional Coordinator for Downtown. "So I think all of this is a really nice thing."

Davon, a 12-year-old with School on Wheels, said he was excited for the event.

"Meeting the Dodgers and getting on a boat for the first time," is what he said he was most looking forward to.

Leach, an avid angler, said he was excited to spend his off-day on a boat with the kids.

"I'm going to make sure everyone on the boat has a fish before the day is over," he said.

Joining Leach on the boat was 1990 American League Cy Young Award winner and former Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch.

This is the third year the Dodgers Dream Foundation has held a fishing trip, with Monday being Leach's first experience as the host.

"Well, I'm not the coolest Dodger to hang out with, I guess you could say, but maybe they'll think I'm a little bit cooler after this," Leach said. "The biggest thing is that hopefully everyone will have a good time."