Jeremy Haynes, Lorenzo Cain teach lessons in baseball, giving

One of Jeremy Haynes' goals Wednesday was to squeeze in as much baseball and fun as possible during his annual Jerald Haynes Game For Gifts Camp.

That was easy to accomplish, especially with former Madison County High School teammate and Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain helping provide instruction to the 24 campers (ages 7 to 13) who participated in the six-hour camp at Madison County's recreation fields.

Another important aspect of the camp also was accomplished ? more than $1,000 was raised to purchase toys for children in Tallahassee Memorial Hospital's Pediatric Unit who won't be home for Christmas on Sunday. Haynes and Cain will play Santa Claus and pass out the toys to the hospitalized children Christmas Eve.

"I don't even know how to put in words when you are passing out the toys and see the kids' smiles, it's such a great feeling," said Haynes, a pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization who was selected in the 2005 major-league draft out of Tallahassee Community College.

"We go room to room and it's so much fun to watch them open their gifts. I always wanted to do something to be able to help kids and give back."

Haynes, with help from Cain and Jonathan Jones, an athletic trainer at TCC, came up with the camp's unique concept three years ago.

Haynes doesn't charge campers a registration fee ? it's donation only. The community and local businesses such as Madison County Community Bank and Madison Sporting Goods also have rallied behind Haynes' camp.

TMH provides Haynes the names of children who won't be home for Christmas. Haynes and company then schedule a shopping spree at Wal-Mart followed by a gift-wrap session.

One change this year is Haynes has named the camp in honor of his father, Jeremy, who died in September following a heart attack.

"We had a great relationship; we were probably more like brothers and best friends," said Haynes, who has a career record of 18-18 with 334 strikeouts (387.2 innings) in six minor-league seasons. "I want to pass on what he taught me to our campers, that we respect each other and treat everyone the same."

Cain, who is expected to contend for the Royals' starting center-field job in spring training, embraces the opportunity to help his good friend. Other instructors who helped Wednesday included Madison County baseball coach Terry Barrs and Aucilla Christian baseball coach Drew Sherrod.

"It's always a good feeling to give back to the community where I grew up," said Cain, who still resides in Madison during the offseason. "It's a lot of fun working with the kids during the camp and help make a difference. It's also a great experience to pass out the toys at the hospital and see the children's faces light up. I really enjoy it, and it's something I look forward to."

Source: http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20111223/SPORTS/112230334/1002/RSS01

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