Major leaguer comes home, hosts camp

FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 19, 2014) -- Nearly 200 children ages 6-15 went out to play at the sixth annual Edwin Jackson Baseball Camp Nov. 15 at the Child, Youth & School Services Youth Sports Complex.

Edwin Jackson, a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, led the camp. Former and current professionals also in attendance were Adron Chambers, outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, Tim Beckham, second baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, Willie Horton, who played with the Detroit Tigers, Jake Wood, the first black starter developed by Detroit's organization and former second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds and Nick Long, who played with the Montreal Expos and is a Columbus native.

"Edwin grew up through our program when his dad was stationed here," said Dorrie Wagner, director of CYSS. "He comes back every year ... just to give back to the military kids."

Jackson expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the service members and Families.

"You're putting your life on the line to serve and protect the country," he said. "Words can't really describe enough how important it is and how emotional it is. ... In order for us to show our appreciation, we come out here today and we plan on having a good time and enjoying it with the kids and letting them have a little laughter amongst all the things that they have going on throughout their lives."

Infantry Soldiers of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, were also in attendance.

Spc. Tanveer Ahmed, D Co., 2nd Bn., 19th Inf. Regt., said the Soldiers being present was substantial to show they are connected to the community where they train.

"We see Georgia from (a) restricted perspective," he said. "This is our chance to see a little bit of humanity and see ... the reason we enlisted (and) the people we want to protect."

Ahmed said it's important for the children to see the human side of being a Soldier while maintaining professionalism.

"We are here enjoying ourselves (and) trying to appear as disciplined trainees," he said. "So if they get to see that, ... if we set an example, it serves a purpose."

Jackson said the message he wants to send to the children is "anything is possible."

"If you have a goal and reach out to achieve it ... it can be obtainable," he said. "It's just going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of perseverance."

Jackson said the camp taught developmental skills and fundamentals of baseball, which can be applied to everyday life such as following instructions, listening to others and working as a team.

"Once you have people by your side, just pushing you, doing positive things," he said, "It makes you also want to do positive things."

Chambers, who has helped at the camp for the last three years, said camps like these keep growing and he wants to be a part of it - to be apart of the camaraderie.

He said baseball has been more than just baseball. It has given him the opportunity to see different cites and meet a lot people.

"It's helped me ... to this day ... become the person that I am," he said.

Horton said being involved is something that should just be done.

"I think we are doing what we are supposed to do," he said. "I never put the game before the fans. The fans taught me how to appreciate when I got on the field. ... I think that's what I like to see. ... Set that image."

Wood said he attended the camp because as a youth he knew how much it meant for an adult to give some time and participation in his life.

"I just want(ed) to come back and give back to the youth so maybe I (could) help someone along this journey we call life," he said.

The camp was broken up in to three age groups, each spending time with the professionals and the Shaw High School Raiders baseball team working on skills.

Chris Garner, 15, said he signed up for the camp to get better and was aided in getting in front of the ball and infielding out in front.

He said he would recommend other players join the camp to help learn the fundamentals of the game.

The camp wrapped up with three campers and Capt. Matthew Parks, D Co. commander, hitting a ball pitched by Jackson.

When asked why he chose baseball, Jackson said baseball chose him and never questioned it.

"It was predestined," he said.