Baseball: Dodger Stadium honor for Chuck Hatfield

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Chuck Hatfield, who recently turned 89 and has been coaching baseball in the San Fernando Valley for 56 years, will be honored at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night. He’s scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He has been an assistant coach and invaluable helper at Chatsworth High for 19 years. The Dodgers gave the school 150 tickets for the game, and even more ex-players and fans figure to be there to show their support for a man who has been loyal and steady in aiding Coach Tom Meusborn and Chatsworth players through the years.

‘It’s something new for me and you know I don’t like publicity,’ Hatfield said of the honor. ‘The principal said, ‘You have to do it for the school.’ Meusborn said, ‘You have to do it for the team.’ I don’t know how far I’m going to throw it, but it won’t be from the mound.’

Chatsworth players started training Hatfield last week on his arm action.

‘I haven’t used this right arm for 30 years,’ he said.

Asked if Meusborn gave him any advice, Hatfield said, ‘Don’t bounce the ball in front of the catcher.’

-- Eric Sondheimer