As a child growing up just outside Los Angeles in La Puente (CA), DeAnna Tunstalle spent her summers playing sports and participating in summer camps in LA. Now, as the Senior Director II at Algin Sutton Recreation Center, she is the one in charge of ensuring that the park is providing services to meet the needs of the community.

She has come a long way since she first played T-ball at Jackie Tatum/Harvard Park and hated playing in the field. “The field seemed so big back then,” DeAnna recalls. “I only wanted to bat and run the bases. But it was so cool to be able to play all day in summer and meet new friends.” Later, Deanna played basketball, baseball and volleyball. “In my time there was no girl- only sports,” she says. “So we played with the boys. It wasn’t until I got into junior high school that I played on an all-girls team for basketball.”

One of Deanna’s biggest memories of sports is a coach who inspired her when she played baseball at Rosecrans Recreation Center. “His name is Tom Anderson, and we were the Dodgers,” said DeAnna. “He encouraged me to keep going. I wasn’t the best baseball player, and he had a way of relaxing me so that I could do my best.” According to DeAnna, Tom is still coaching and has the same drive and inspiring spirit. “It is really cool to see that his passion continues.”

Her passion for sports and kids eventually led DeAnna to become involved in coaching. She believes that coaching is all about fun, especially for the younger division players who are developing their athletic skills sets. And, according to DeAnna, helping and working with coaches, many of whom are volunteers, must include a philosophy centered on the idea of why kids are playing sports. “Each age group is different. Helping coaches find the niche is very important in programming and longevity.”

DeAnna is a second generation Recreation Professional as her mother worked for the Department of LA City Recreation and Parks for over 30 years. She feels that it an honor to provide services and leadership to the communities where she has worked, and she feels fortunate to be doing a job she dreamed of as a young child.

“Algin Sutton is a community park, and the vision is to give it back to the community,” says DeAnna. “We can give them a sense of ownership, being a part of writing the story in creating programs, teaching classes, or working as special event committee members, a team parent, mentor or coach.” DeAnna strongly believes that it is only through the help of the people who live and work by the center that staff can provide quality programs that serve the community members. “Our philosophy is centered on integrity, doing what you say you are going to do, being committed, focused and taking responsibility. And if we are not growing, we are dying.”

DeAnna highlights one program in particular at Algin Sutton that has continuously excelled at serving the needs of the community through sports and beyond. “The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the Dodgers RBI program provides support by encouraging participation on many levels for our community,” she says. “The parents become coaches and are able to attend coaching clinics, and they are providing the families with needed information on how to be successful and become better stewards through financial literacy. Giving families play time, the ability to come together and do things sometimes is so hard with scheduling and financial burdens, but the Dodgers Foundation organizes free, fun activities for families to help to reduce stress and bring them together.

“The health screenings and eye exams are great opportunities for those who need them. The Player Fest, being able to be at Dodger Stadium, for some this is a dream come true. And, of course, the obvious, Dodgers RBI is a low-cost, first rate experience participating in baseball and softball at their local center. These are a few things that I know we are grateful for that provide support for the youth. Throughout the season there is something for everyone.”

For the first time in 2019, Up2Us Sports coaches served as Field Champions for the Dodgers RBI programs throughout the Los Angeles area. “We had a great experience with our Field of Champion, Coach Carter Kendrick,” recalls DeAnna. “He was amazing. Coach Carter became an instant part of the team, he was very approachable, knowledgeable and caring. He teamed up with our Recreation Coordinator, Allen Alegria, and helped to implement a great season. He even assisted with clinics and coached in our girls’ softball division. His skill set and experience was very helpful with our volunteers. He split his time between us and another lucky center and it seemed like he was always here, lending a hand and most importantly mentoring the players.”

For Deanna Tunstalle, sports-based youth development plays such an important role in the social and emotional learning for young people. “Sports skills translate into many areas of life,” she says. “I have heard the saying that ‘some things are taught and somethings are caught,’, and sports does both. You learn how to handle pressure, encourage yourself and others, self- reflect, be a part of a team. Losing and preparing for another day. Some things that I learned playing sports have helped me grow and develop in many areas of my life, and I know without those experiences, I would not be who I am today. And I know a lot of people who played sports as a kid who would say the same.”

Learn more about the LA Department of Recreation and Parks here.

Learn more about the Algin Sutton Recreation Center here.

Read about the Up2Us Sports and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation partnership here.

Learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation at Dodgers.com/LADF

Follow the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and with their hashtag #BiggerThanBaseball.