It’s nice when baseball players take the time and effort — and it’s usually not all that much time and pretty much someone else’s effort — to lend their name to a community program.

And I’m sure it made sense for the Dodgers to encourage Juan Pierre to be involved in this sort of thing, back when they signed him, for five years and $44 million, before the 2007 season. From what I have seen of Juan Pierre, he probably was happy to get involved.

But his status in the Dodgers clubhouse, in 2009, is not at all like it was in 2007, when this program began.

Back then, Pierre was going to be hitting in the 1 or 2 slots for five seasons. A major component of the Dodgers lineup.

Now, however, Pierre is a rarely used sub: Six at-bats so far this season, four games, one start. And while the concept of charity remains untainted, it must be at least a little embarrassing to Pierre and even to the club to have this philanthropic endeavor built around the club’s backup outfielder.

Here is what’s going on, as outlined by the Dodgers’ media relations crew:

DODGER OUTFIELDER JUAN PIERRE’S COMMUNITY PROGRAM “PIERRE’S PACK” RETURNS FOR A THIRD SEASON

 

LOS ANGELES –The National League West Division Champion Los Angeles Dodgers will continue to support several programs created by their players and coaches again in 2009 as part of their commitment to the community. Several uniformed personnel will give back through various initiatives starting including (sic) outfielder Juan Pierre. “Pierre’s Pack” program, now in its third season, is the outfielder’s community program that hosts kids from inner city after school programs at several games throughout the season.

Tomorrow Pierre will host today 40 children from the Woodcraft Rangers, an organization that has provided innovative and creative programs for kids in the under-served areas of greater Los Angeles for more than 80 years. “Pierre’s Pack” includes complimentary tickets, a “Pierre’s Pack” t-shirt, and a meal voucher courtesy of Panda Express. The group will meet and take photos with Pierre at approximately 5:40 p.m. prior to the game against the Giants.

“With this being the third year of ‘Pierre’s Pack,’ it’s getting more and more fulfilling every year because of the reaction I see on the faces of the kids and their mentors,” said Pierre. “I look forward to continuing this tradition.”

“Pierre’s Pack” will take place several times throughout the season:

• Thursday, April 16 vs. San Francisco
• Friday, May 8 vs. San Francisco
• Wednesday, June 3 vs. Arizona
• Wednesday, June 17 vs. Oakland
• Monday, August 3 vs. Milwaukee
• Tuesday, August 18 vs. St. Louis

Pierre launched “Pierre’s Pack” during the 2007 season. The outfielder participated in a clinic at Major League Baseball’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton in 2007 with former Dodgers Don Newcombe, Kenny Landreaux, “Sweet” Lou Johnson, and Rudy Law. Pierre took part in the 2007 Dodgers Community Caravan and was part of a Dodger contingent that visited Walter Reed Medical Center when the team traveled to Washington, D.C. in 2007. The outfielder also participated in the Dodgers Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza in 2007 and 2008 and has taken part in the Taylor Hooton Foundation Steroid Awareness Clinic for youngsters at Dodger Stadium the last two seasons.

In 2008, the Dodgers and the Dodgers Dream Foundation assisted more than 3,600 local youth organizations by renovating baseball fields in the community, through player appearances, and by donating more than 93,000 tickets, autographed memorabilia, donation of used equipment and much more. Last season, the Dodgers Dream Foundation affected hundreds of thousands of local youth through its various programs.

OK. I’m back. Yes. Nice program. A good charity. But at least a few of those 40 kids is going to wonder, “How come Juan isn’t playing tonight?”

Do things like this ever get back to the manager? Does someone like Joe Torre feel any urge to somehow get Juan Pierre into the lineup, when “Pierre’s Pack” is in the stands?

Hmm.

Maybe Juan meets the kids, tells them to stay in school, etc., and mentions, “hope you enjoy watching the game as much as I will.” Letting them know he probably won’t play.

Or does everyone ignore that “not playing” thing, and hope JP gets a chance to pinch-run, or something?

See what I mean? It’s a little awkward. Good intentions, well-meaning, all that. And a little awkward.