By Matt Brown / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- Chris Dickerson looked at a group of youth baseball players in the Great American Ball Park outfield and thought back to when he was a kid mesmerized by the surroundings of a big league stadium.

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Hootons bring message to youth as part of PLAY

By JORDAN GODWIN Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle

July 7, 2009, 10:41PM

Like his father, Don Hooton, Jr. is committed to telling his brother’s tragic story to America’s youth.

The Baltimore Orioles are hoping that the baseball diamond becomes a teaching gem by holding their fourth annual event called Promoting Lifelong Activity for Youth, or PLAY

Pirates Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez team up with the PLAY campaign to promote healthy living and decision making. The PLAY program was created in 2004 to raise awareness about young people’s health issues because obesity is a major concern in the United States.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation, PBATS and the Colorado Rockies teach Kids a healthy lifestyle.

Local Sports By Victor Holt - WI Photo Editor

Washington Nationals’ utility player Willie Harris (r) and pitcher Garrett Mock (l) talk to kids participating in the PLAY campaign on Wed., July 22 at Nationals Park in Southeast.