Dan Morgan’s Diamond Dogs are bringing baseball back to the sand lot

Sonoma coach believes sports should be fun|

The need was a simple one: more summer baseball playing time for Sonoma youth. Dan Morgan saw this as an opportunity to build a new league and thus was born the Diamond Dogs.

Caught in his playhouse at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, after a Thursday Diamond Dogs hitting practice, the only way to talk with Morgan is to surprise him because he’s not a huge talker, especially about himself. That’s Morgan, gruff exterior, humble inside.

Morgan not only created the Diamond Dogs this year – think of the movie “The Sandlot” but with Sonoma kids – but he has been a major fixture in the church of the round ball for many years.

“Baseball teaches so many life lessons,” he said. “How to lose and get back up. It can be a humbling game, like loving a girl who doesn’t love you back.”

Morgan is more than the pretty face behind the barbecue at Arnold Field. He is on the Sonoma Valley Athletic Club and Babe Ruth boards, he has been a longtime coach for the Babe Ruth team the Cubs, and he is a huge cheerleader for the Sonoma Stompers.

“The Stompers have improved Arnold Field and provide such a great night out for the community. It’s great for the youth to be inspired by the Stompers. The new ownership connects the community and we are now able to have a beer legally,” he said as he fist bumped two shirtless Stompers players coming onto the field for some batting practice.

Morgan feels blessed: about what he is able to provide, about what he has been given, and about the opportunities he has created. He immediately called after we talked to tell me about the people who help him on the daily: Zach Pace, Mario Alioto, Mike Mertens, Teak Mack, Vicki Handron, Dave Stagnoli, Michael Hernandez, Dave Stoddard. Dan Morgan’s village is large.

Morgan is third generation Sonoma; grandma was born in one of the first wooden houses on Spain Street. His dad, Dan and son Cole all call Arnold Field home. Morgan remembers when the infield was dirt and there was no clubhouse.

“It was a very different time, guess I’m trying to bring some of that back,” he said.

The Diamond Dogs always play doubleheaders (more practice) against teams as far away as Cloverdale. Morgan’s goal is to continue in the fall once the kids have adjusted to their school schedules. Then grow the league as long as the interest remains.

“The job of the varsity coach is to win, but here we want to develop good citizens of the community,” he said. “They have an opportunity to get better at their craft. It’s all about kids getting game reps who want them.”

“We should promote all sports,” Morgan said. “Kids should be multi-sport players, if they get cut from one sport, go sign up for another. Try wrestling or tennis or track.”

Son Cole added, “The Diamond Dogs are way more comfortable and laid back. We can connect as a team and work on things.” Cole is the unofficial color commentator for the Diamond Dogs and is very happy about the differences to other teams he has played on.

Seeing a need and creating a solution, thanks Dan Morgan.

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