Stan Kasten Updates Dodger Fans Via Letter

If you haven’t yet read the letter written by Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten addressed to the fans, here it is in its entirety:

"Dear Dodger Fan:This has been a very busy offseason for us. Can you believe Spring Training is less than one month away? Glendale, Arizona, here we come!Our roster has taken on a few new faces. We’ve added free-agent pitchers Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and J.P. Howell, while trading for utilityman Skip Schumaker and we are looking forward to a full season with Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Hanley Ramirez, Carl Crawford, Nick Punto and Brandon League, who we acquired late last year.We’ve also been busy strengthening our international team, with the addition of scouts in Europe, Latin America, Mexico, the Pacific Rim and Venezuela. These scouts have been busy signing several youngsters during the offseason.As you can see, the Dodgers are committed to our fans and we want to bring another World Championship back to Los Angeles.The enhancement of the fan experience has always been paramount to our ownership team and we recently announced upgrades we are planning for the 2013 season at Dodger Stadium.Among the things you and our team will enjoy this season are:New High Definition video boards in left and right field. Existing message boards, including ribbon boards at the Loge level and outfield wall, will be replaced with the new technology. Both scoreboards will be restored to its unique hexagon shape.A new sound system directed to minimize echoes and sound migration outside the stadium.A state-of-the-art Wi-Fi network and cellular antenna system to support cell-phone and internet connectivity from mobile devices.Wider concourses and additional locations for wheelchair bound fans and their companions on all levels.Expanded and renovated restrooms with substantially more fixturesFood service enhancements to loge, reserve and upper reserve levels, including new stands, cooking facilities and menus.New Field Level entry plazas and bullpen overlooks to create standing room areas with a view of the game.A new Dodgers clubhouse, expanded and enhanced training/conditioning areas, and new batting cages for both teams.We’ll also have playground and interactive areas for children at the Reserve levels that will include life-size bobbleheads. We also will have oversized World Series rings and retired number displays in these areas during the season.Our history is very important to us and we will be displaying many of the team’s historical items for the first time. These will be on display for fans at games or fans who take our popular tour of the park.In addition to these improvements, we also will be making operational changes which we feel will enhance the fan experience at beautiful Dodger Stadium.This is a busy time for us as we prepare for a very exciting 2013 season at Dodger Stadium.I wanted to remind you of our first off season FanFest presented by State Farm on Saturday, January 26 at Dodger Stadium in Lot 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s free and will feature appearances and autographs from Dodger stars including Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. It’s also the first day individual game tickets will go on sale at Dodger Stadium for the entire season.We hope you’ll plan on visiting Dodger Stadium often during the 2013 season. We appreciate your comments and feedback that you have taken the time to send us via FanBox, letters and phone calls.Thank you again for reaching out to us and for your support. Dodger fans are the greatest in all of baseball.Sincerely,Stan Kasten President and CEO Los Angeles Dodgers"

With increased communication between management and fans, the refreshed Dodgers are working hard to bring the fans back to Dodger Stadium. As Kasten outlined, the new ownership has accomplished quite a bit in under a year’s time. They’ve signed high profile free agents like Zack Greinke, and made a certain blockbuster trade last year which brought the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to Los Angeles. A revamped international scouting and player development team has been assembled, and they have committed resources to signing players like Yasiel Puig, Onelki Garcia, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and a young group of players from the Dominican Republic as well.

The Dodgers have also begun some much-needed renovations to Dodger Stadium, and our spruced up ball park is sure to look as beautiful as ever on Opening Day. A conscience effort to create a more family friendly atmosphere at Chavez Ravine includes an addition of a children’s playground and interactive area.

The Dodgers seem to be really taking in the comments, suggestions, and even criticisms of the fans in order to improve the team’s relationship with the public. Yet the biggest draw to Dodger Stadium will ultimately be productivity on the playing field and a playoff bound season.

Personally I really like these letters from Stan Kasten, and I hope he continues to write them throughout the season. An open channel of communication between management and the fans was something the Dodgers lacked for far too long.