2026 MSBL Player Profile: Dan Roman, Dodgertown West
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
Dan Roman is not just a baseball junkie, like most of us, but he also gives back to his community, donates his time, his bone marrow, runs fast, and is the poster boy for family involvement.
We recently asked Dodgertown West League President Mark Stone for recommendations on honoring special contributors to his league. Mark recommended we speak with Dan, which we did. His story will follow after Mark’s glowing introduction. In Mark’s own words:
“Dodgertown West (DTW) sprang from the desire of several local players returning from their first Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp (fantasy camp) to continue the camp camaraderie and play baseball. That was back in 1984-1987. Dan was one of those original members and has been a part of the league ever since.
Dan has always exhibited exceptional playing skills and, in addition to weekly league games, has participated on DTW’s tournament teams, including the MSBL Desert Classic, MSBL Memorial Day, and MSBL World Series every year, including our championship World Series teams in 2004 (48+) and 2019 (65+).
Besides excellent baseball acumen, one of Dan’s many skills is his speed. So much so that last year he qualified for the 2025 senior Olympics, competing in both the 50 and 100-meter events. After qualifying 4th overall for the 50 finals, Dan unfortunately pulled a hamstring, which ended his Olympic medal bids, but nevertheless, how many 75-year-olds can say they even qualified?
He currently has an active role in at least four businesses and also seems to find time to participate in and/or run community-based programs for special needs kids. And all this while enjoying life with his kids, grandkids, and a special friend.”
Dan Roman is 77 years old, and as Mark Stone intimated, he is very fast! A resident of Woodland Hills, California, Dan started playing in MSBL tournaments around 1989. He has been involved in the manufacturing business all of his life, including selling electrical parts to businesses.
“My son runs the manufacturing business now, and my son-in-law and daughter have taken over the mortgage lending business,” explained Dan. “I’m even involved in a cannabis partnership in Nevada. I like to stay diversified!”
People may seem a little confused as to what Dodgertown West is, what it comprises, and how it began. We’ll let Dan explain.
“Dodgertown West started their MSBL affiliation when Steve Sigler called when he heard about our league in the LA Times, around 1987. At that time, we hosted a tournament, and it grew from there. We were originally comprised of Dodger Fantasy Camp players who wanted to compete in other tournaments.
From barely enough guys to form just two teams, the league has now grown to include over 130 registered players who play on five to six regularly established teams. Games are played year-round by way of two scheduled seasons a year, Spring (January through June, and Fall (July through December).
Players must be 30 years of age or older. Previous attendance at a “Fantasy Camp” is preferred, but not required. Amazingly, I have attended only two Fantasy Camps, in 1986 and 2008. I concentrate on the tournaments and playing in the league.” 
The league is technically a 30-over league, but you may have guessed that the league is comprised of many veteran ballplayers. That is a delicate balance that appears to work well for the players a little longer in the tooth.
“We play on Sundays to have fun and not just to win. It says a lot about who we are. We try to keep the 30s and 40s off the mound when it is feasible, because they can be dominating. When you bring a youngster in to pitch, they are very respectful. We are all the same, with no divisions, such as competitive and recreational. It’s a wonderful combination of 30 or 40-year-olds playing alongside the old guys.”
Dan went to a high school that boasted an exceptional baseball program, so he never tried out. He took the usual softball route as a young adult until the Dodgertown West experience came calling. His wife told him about the Dodgertown league forming as a birthday present.
“That remains the best birthday present I have ever received. She kept it a secret until my birthday. I don’t know how she did it, but I’m sure glad she did!”
Dan’s baseball resume includes over 20 MSBL World Series appearances with Dodgertown West, beginning in 1989, with tournament stops along the way in Palm Springs and Las Vegas. But that is only the tip of the iceberg.
“I have been fortunate enough to be a part of teams that played in Russia, Cuba, Asia, and Australia. I have made friends all over the world. When we played in Russia, we left our equipment with them because they didn’t have much. We also played an Italian team when they visited the United States.
We did the same thing in Cuba, and have also supported our military operations all over the world by sending them baseball equipment, including to Iraq.
As impressive as Dan’s involvement in the baseball world is, it is time to turn the page. As previously mentioned, Dan is fast. That led him to another chapter in his life.
“In 2024, I heard a lot about the Senior Olympics. I have been playing baseball for 40 years, and have always been speedy, so I thought I’d give sprinting a try. I got a trainer, got into competitive shape, learned the proper techniques, and gave it my all.
I traveled to Nevada in 2025 and took second in the 50-meter sprint and third in the 100. Then I ran in California and came in second in both events and qualified for the nationals. That’s where I ran into guys who ran in 30 or 40 events per year and were pretty much professional, though there isn’t a pro division.”
Dan’s national Senior Olympics journey took him to Ames, Iowa, for the nationals, where he came in fourth and fifth in initial heats, which qualified him for the finals. But then a pulled hammy let him down in the finals, and he finished eighth.
“As disappointing as that may seem, my goal was to reach the national finals, and I did that. I would never have been able to beat those guys who run for a living.
I am unsure if I want to go through the training again to qualify for 2027, as they hold these events every two years. I have eight grandchildren, and it’s not fair to them to take time away from being together to go train. Right now, I would say probably not.”
Ames, Iowa, also provided Dan and the family with an opportunity that he thought would never come.
“My favorite movie of all time is ‘Field of Dreams,’ and Dyersville is only 2 ½ hours from Ames. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. So, we visited the movie location, and I even had a catch on the field with my granddaughter. It was a dream come true.”
Circling back to the league, what would you consider the best thing about Dodgertown West?
“It’s the attitude of the players. Way back when it started, we sat down and wrote a mission statement focusing on the camaraderie and the love of the game, and to just have fun.” (mission statement below)
Being a Dodger aficionado, when asked, it is quite understandable that someone wearing Dodger blue would be Dan’s favorite player of all time. But it comes with a slight twist.
“Vin Scully. As a kid, I shared a bedroom with my uncle, and we listened to the game every night while going to bed. It was beautiful listening to Vinny paint a picture of the game while you were dozing off.”
Dan has had numerous special baseball moments, but we had to ask if there was a favorite one. His response wasn’t a typical championship or a 5-for-5 day at the plate.
“I have hit home runs in my career, but all in the park. I have always wanted to hit one out, though I’m not a very big guy. Back in my 50’s, I started working with weights to get stronger, with that goal in mind.
Sure enough, I finally got one out. But the pitcher got really pissed because it was the first one he had ever given up. I savored the moment even more!
However, equally memorable was my one and only Father/Son tournament in Los Angeles, in which I played with my two sons and son-in-law.”
Dan was inducted into the Dodgertown Hall of Fame in 2017 and was the recipient of the Barry Berman Service Award in 2012 and the David Blakemore Award for positive attitude, congeniality, and superior baseball ability in 1998.
Dan was also identified as a bone marrow match for a patient with leukemia, and did a bone marrow transplant and stem cell donation to a wonderful lady in Delaware in 2007. He was identified as a match through his baseball team!
In the early 2000s, along with his wife and kids, Dan volunteered at their local community center to run a program for special needs children every Saturday for 10 years, teaching them how to play baseball. They are still in contact with many of these young people.
Any final comments?
“Baseball is such a stat-driven sport, and I do my share to help support that theory. I batted over .500 in the last two MSBL World Series and batted .636 at the 2025 Desert Classic in Palm Springs.
I have my share of bumps, bruises, and ailments, like most people my age, but as long as I can still compete with those stats, I’ll keep going. Thank you, MSBL, for making it all possible!”