Major leaguer hosts baseball camp: Edwin Jackson hosts fifth annual clinic

By Aniesa HolmesNovember 20, 2013

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 20, 2103) -- Edwin Jackson returned to Fort Benning Saturday to host his fifth annual baseball clinic at the Child, Youth & School Services baseball complex.

With more than 10 years as a professional baseball player, Jackson has played with eight teams, pitched for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Game 4 of the 2008 World Series and is a member of the 2011 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, where he pitched in Game 4, and played in the 2009 All Star Game as a member of the Detroit Tigers.

Jackson said one of his greatest joys is giving back to youth and remembering his roots. His father served 23 years in the Army and was stationed at Fort Benning. Jackson said he learned valuable social skills and adaptability from the military lifestyle. His mission for the clinic is to inspire military children to dream big and reveal the human side of professional athletes.

"It's easier to touch lives from a distance whether through charitable donations or valuable things, but to actually be hands on and interact with the kids, person to person, and get the experience to talk with me gives them a long lasting impression," he said.

Now a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Jackson said it takes a team effort to host the event every year. With the help of past and present MLB players Danny Ingram, Jake Wood, Willy Horton, Darnell McDonald, Brandon Long, Adron Chambers and Glenn Davis, they each answered questions from the audience, offered one-on-one instruction on the field and signed autographs. The Shaw High School baseball team also attended the clinic and guided attendees on basic drills. Jackson is a former student and athlete of Shaw High School.

Wood, who was the first black player for the Detroit Tigers in the 1960s, continues to play on a senior softball league at age 76. He said children could use their experiences at the clinic as inspiration to pursue any career goal.

"I think it's an honor to come and support Edwin and see the joy on these kids' faces," he said. "Not everyone who participates in this clinic will be a baseball player … we're here just to encourage them to utilize those gifts they already have."

Jackson invited several young players to take a turn at bat. Chris Sagarin, a third-grader at Matthews Elementary School, said he was excited to hit against Jackson and learn new skills from the professionals.

"I thought they were going to have him pitch to me really fast and I was very nervous but I still did good," he said. "I learned no matter what, you have to try your hardest and never give up."

Now the father of a young son, Jackson said he hopes the clinic will inspire children from all backgrounds to become better athletes and individuals.

"I want them to know the message is beyond me, it's not just about me coming out and giving back," he said. "It's to let them know they can achieve anything they want if they believe it and chase it."