Family covers the bases                                                                                                      Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 120th Public Affairs Detachment           Posted: October 8, 2008

GREENWOOD, Ind. -- Children of deployed 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers competed in a baseball game Sunday, October 5.

It was an offensive and error-prone affair as the home team 76th Slammers tied the visiting Brigade Bombers, 15-15.

"It was fun; I really liked it," said Alex Honeycutt, 5.

The final score was secondary to the real reason they were there, which was to raise money and baseball equipment to be given to Operation Play Baseball. That organization then sends the equipment to Iraq in the hopes of bringing baseball to Iraqi youth.

"It gives them (children playing baseball) a sense of helping their dads and other family members in helping them (Soldiers) make a connection with the citizens of Iraq and their children," said Cody Honeycutt, 16.

Alex and Cody’s father, 1st Sgt. Charles Honeycutt, is deployed with the 76th , which includes nearly 3,400 troops from the brigade. His other sons, Chad, 13, and Nick, 8, also competed in the game, and their mother, Tammy, was instrumental in organizing the game.

"There are so many reasons why this is important," said Tammy. "They (the children) got to meet other kids whose parents are deployed. They were able to raise equipment for Iraqis. They see the community support them and their deployed parents."

Other family members agreed.

"It's not only a way for us to support Russ and the troops, it's a way for family members (of deployed Soldiers) can come together," said Jennifer Jackson, wife of Capt. Rusty Jackson.

They have three children Olivia, 6, Ben, 4 and Madison, 6 months. Olivia and Ben played. Madison sat this one out.

After the game Andy Bass, Greenwood High School baseball coach, asked the children if they had fun by a show of hands. All raised their hands. He then asked if they had parents deployed. All did.

"What they're doing in Iraq is allowing us to do what we're doing today" said Bass to the children. "Be very proud of them."