DODGERS SIGN PIEDRA; INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE NEXT FOR EX-NOTRE DAME STAR.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

Despite living in the San Fernando Valley her entire life, Virginia Piedra has resisted the opportunity to visit Dodger Stadium.

Even when friends offered tickets, she would politely decline.

``She's always told me the first time she goes to Dodger Stadium will be to watch me play,'' said her son, Jorge.

Virginia Piedra may soon get her chance.

Jorge, a former baseball/football/basketball star at Notre Dame High, signed a free-agent contract with the Dodgers on Monday. He'll report to the Dodgers' Arizona Instructional team Oct. 1, according to Dodgers vice president of minor league operations Charlie Blaney.

Piedra, a speedy right fielder, chose the Dodgers over a partial baseball scholarship and financial aid at USC.

``It was a pretty sweet deal, a substantial amount of money,'' said Piedra, who graduated from Notre Dame in June. ``But it wasn't a money thing. I've dreamed of playing baseball all my life and I felt this was the right thing to do.''

Piedra believes playing three sports during high school - he was a quarterback in football and a guard in basketball - impeded his chance of getting selected during the June amateur baseball draft. This summer he's devoted all of his time to baseball, improving his hitting and speed in the process. He also gained 10 pounds.

``I always promised myself that the summer after my senior year I would concentrate on baseball,'' Piedra said. ``In the past I was always going from one sport to the other. This summer I finally got a chance to rest and eat right and focus on baseball. It really paid off.''

Piedra played on the Van Nuys East American Legion team and hit more than .500 in the leadoff spot.

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Photo: JORGE PIEDRA: Joey Piedra, a three-sport star at Notre Dame High School, has signed as a free agent with the Dodgers.