Military children have ball at Petco Park

News: Military children have ball at Petco Park

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar / 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

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Story by Pfc. Melissa Eschenbrenner Subscribe To This Journalist

Lance Cpl. Melissa Eschenbrenner

A child throws a baseball during the Little Warrior baseball clinic at Petco Park in San Diego, Aug. 24. Children were able to practice throwing, catching and hitting baseballs with players and former players of the Padres.

SAN DIEGO – Military children from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. attended the Little Warrior baseball clinic provided by USAA, at Petco Park, home of the Padres, Aug. 24.

Participants from military installations throughout San Diego went through a circuit course of exercises including batting and catching techniques with Padres players at three different stations on the field.

USAA and the Padres held this event in recognition of service members and to give back to military families, explained Randy Jones, a retired Padres player.

“It was absolutely outstanding,” said Jones. “We really appreciate our military, and this is a chance for us to give back to those families.”

Approximately 50 children between the ages of seven to 14 were able to practice throwing, catching and hitting baseballs with players and former players of the Padres. Cameras traveled from station to station and gave the children a chance to be seen on the jumbotron. Each station lasted 20 minutes.

The Padres mascot also visited during the event.

The kids loved it. Some came to see the players and some were just excited to be able to play on the field in the stadium, explained Steve Malfitano, a sponsorship and marketing manager with USAA.

Parents were able to watch their children play from the stadium seats and could take pictures of their children with the players.

The Little Warrior baseball clinic was a home-run for the children, players and USAA.