Country music artist-cum-third-baseman Garth Brooks [ tickets ] is back in spring training this year, spending 34 days with the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Brooks is donating his baseball earnings to children's charities through the Touch 'Em All Foundation, which collects donations from celebrities and matching contributions from corporate sponsors. After Brooks kicked off the foundation last year at the San Diego Padres' spring training, 67 major league players agreed to join the charity drive. This year, the foundation plans to distribute $1.8 million.

Brooks arrived at the Mets' south Florida camp on Feb. 19. Mets manager Bobby Valentine plans to work Brooks in left field, the position that Brooks played for his Oklahoma high school team, and on third base.

Brooks only batted .045 during his San Diego stint. Though some Padres admitted that he wasn't cut out for the major leagues, they acknowledged that he brought a love of the game and drew legions of music fans who wanted to see the country star at the plate.