Padres players put on their coaching hats and gave kids at Camp Pendleton some lessons in baseball on Monday.
They are part of Camp Pendleton's youth sports program. Being a kid can be tough, but they are military kids who get hit hard with life lessons early on.
At age 11, Owen Townsend is not sure what he wants to do when he grows up.
"I worry about him very much," Townsend said about his dad. "I don't want him to die or get hurt."
His dad was not there to watch, but he is used to it since his dad is deployed.
"There's a thing called ISIS… they're bad. Very bad."
Padres Pitcher, Buddy Baumann, wanted to take part to give back to the families that give so much.
"They've got to know that their dads are heroes," Baumann said. "Their moms are heroes."
When Baumann was their age he made up his mind to play pro ball. He was going to join the military if he didn't get his baseball scholarship. He made it to the big leagues two weeks ago.
"I feel like a kid again," Baumann said with a smile. "It's a dream come true."
It is the American dream. Townsend has his first steps figured out to achieving his.
"Well… I'm going to need money to pay, but first I'm going to need to go to college, then I'm going to need to work at a starter job like McDonald's or something to get money for college… and then once I'm done with college I could get a better job," Townsend explained.
His dad may be not be home, but he knows that is part of why, with drive and hard work, he can become anything.
"He's brave," Townsend said about his dad. "He fought three wars and won all them. He's strong and most of all; he's my dad. He's a pretty amazing dad."
