White Sox play video games with soldiers

CHICAGO, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Chicago White Sox players linked up online to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to play a few rounds of "Call of Duty: Black Ops."

Players Matt Thornton, Chris Sale and A.J. Pierzynski were joined by several soldiers at U.S. Cellular Field and linked up to those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan for Tuesday's game, which was organized by non-profit group Pros vs. G.I. Joes, which sets up video games between soldiers and professional athletes, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday.

"This is a way of thanking them for their service," Thornton said. "I'm very grateful for our freedom. They allow me to play the game of baseball."

Service members said they were grateful for the experience.

"I know it seems odd," Jose Aviles, 32, a member of the Illinois National Guard, said of choosing a war-based video game for recreation. "But it's a piece of home. A lot of these guys would be playing this in their living rooms if they were at home."