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'PLAY' Campaign Gives Kids A Lesson On Health At Citizens Bank Park

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Citizens Bank Park was turned into a special class today to motivate young baseball players and other youngsters from inner city neighborhoods.

The public awareness campaign was created to help combat the obesity epidemic and much more.

Just like the major leagues before a real game, these Philadelphia students got to go through some basic baseball drills on a field of dreams.

"It's an amazing pleasure you just get to learn new things," said 13-year-old Jayden Birchmore.

"I'm gonna tell all my friends I was playing on citizens bank field," Jameson Massino said.

This day of activities is part of a campaign called 'PLAY' promoting a lifetime of activity for youth, sponsored by athletic trainers.

Sean Fcasni, an assistant athletic trainer for the Phillies, was putting the students thru agility drills.

"It makes it more fun for them when they know that they're favorite players are doing it to… it's extremely important to get the kids up and moving at an early age and hopefully that carries through throughout the rest of their life," said Fcasni.

Along with fast feet, coordination, and stretching the students also had a session on nutrition.

Don Hooton with the Taylor Hooton Foundation also met with the kids to warn them about drugs and steroids, which he says caused his brother, an aspiring player, to commit suicide.

"This is a huge problem we've got over one and a half million kids that admit to using anabolic steroids in our high schools and that's girls and boys, athletes and non-athletes," Hooton said.

Star pitcher Aaron Nola underscored the dangers of drugs and highlighted the importance of exercise and a good diet. "Keeping your body healthy is what this is all about," he said.

The PLAY program takes place in 30 major league ball-parks around the country. Hundreds of students will hopefully be getting lessons that will last a lifetime.

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