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Cannon hosts baseball sports clinic for kids

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Xavier Lockley
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Various 27th Special Operations Wing organizations teamed up with members of the local community to host a baseball and softball clinic at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., March 11 and 12.

Participants included 45 volunteers from Cannon and 120 base kids. These children were taught basic skills such as fielding and hitting.

"I wanted to volunteer so that I could provide kids in the community with the skills that I've learned," said Master Sgt. John Hearn, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron deputy fire chief. "This event was a great opportunity for kids to be a part of something special here at Cannon."

The idea for the sports clinic took root when Lt. Col. Dina Quanico, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron commander, and her husband were approached by Capt. Joshua Payne, a chaplain with the 27th Special Operations Wing, about starting a program where kids could be taught the fundamentals of baseball and softball.

"My husband Joe and I have wanted to host a clinic ever since we arrived at Cannon; unfortunately, we never found the time to plan the event," Quanico said. "When Chaplain Payne told me the Company Grade Officers Council was interested in starting a baseball and softball clinic, Joe and I immediately agreed to help in any way that we could."

As Air Commandos seek to further foster relationships with the local community, leadership has expressed a desire to host another, more inclusive sports clinic in the future.

"As long as we receive the support and volunteers, we can continue to host clinics like this - not only for baseball and softball," said Quanico.

Payne echoed the commander's sentiments.

"What we're looking to do is add other sports in the future," he said. "We intend to do even more community outreach projects down the line."

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