Photos Marc Levine/NY Mets New York Met, Mike Baxter, gives young members of the 9/11 nonprofit organization, Tuesday’s Children, a quick lesson in catching. The 9/11 organization held a baseball clinic on August 8 at Citi Field, at which coaches and players of the Cory Lidle Foundation and the New York Mets gave children who lost a parent on 9/11 and those of first responders life lessons in leadership, sportsmanship and following your dreams, on and off the baseball field.More than 80 children who lost a parent on 9/11, as well as sons and daughters of 9/11 first responders, learned on August 8 that baseball is more than just a game. Todd, a young family member of the nonprofit 9/11 organization, Tuesday’s Children, practices pitching as New York Met, Jeremy Hefner, looks on.
 A new partnership between Tuesday’s Children and the Cory Lidle Foundation, facilitated by the New York Mets, offered the children a full day at Citi Field where they heard from a distinguished panel of sports legends including New York Met, Jeremy Hefner, hands a ball to Ryan, a young family member of the nonprofit 9/11 organization, Tuesday’s Children. Ron Darling, former Mets pitching ace; Michael Crossland, an inspirational speaker, businessman and elite Australian sportsman; Kelly Naqi, ESPN reporter and others who spoke to the children about achieving their dreams, self determination, good sportsmanship and the importance of giving back to the community. The inspirational program was moderated by Brian Curtis, New York Times best selling author, sports journalist and Tuesday’s Children board member.
The children also took part in an on-field clinic where they learned baseball techniques from Mets players and coaches. The day concluded with a meet and greet with Mets players, a chance to watch batting practice from the field, and the night game between the Mets and the Florida Marlins.
“Since our founding in the days immediately after Sept. 11, 2001, the New York Mets and the Wilpon family have been among our strongest and most loyal supporters,” said Terry Sears, executive director of Tuesday’s Children. “Thanks to their generosity, baseball has helped hundreds of our kids through some very tough times. The sport has taught our children the value of teamwork, and shown them that it’s okay to have fun again – even in the wake of such devastating loss.”Allyson, a young family member of the nonprofit 9/11 organization, Tuesday’s Children, gets a lesson in catching from New York Met, Mike Baxter.
Cory Lidle made his Major League debut as a pitcher with the New York Mets in 1997.  At the time of his death in a tragic airplane accident in 2006, he was a member of the New York Yankees.
For more information about the Cory Lidle Foundation go to: www.corylidle.org.