More than a dozen University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville faculty and residents took their swings this month to help fight infant mortality.

The UF doctors were part of two teams of local physicians who played in the charity softball game Rounds at the Grounds: Baseball for Babies, part of a drive to raise money during Infant Mortality Awareness Month.

The second annual game raised $43,000 for the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition.

"It's really a fun thing and it gets the word out," said David L. Wood, M.D., professor in the Department of Pediatrics and medical director of Jacksonville Health and Transition Services (JaxHATS). "We need to contribute to their mission, which is contributing to the health of the entire community."

Wood, who was an umpire for this year's game, said there was a good mix of participant from several departments on the Jacksonville campus.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive linemen Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton were honorary captains for the game, held Sept. 4 prior to a Jacksonville Suns game at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville downtown.

Photo gallery: http://nefhealthystart.org/rounds/rounds-at-the-grounds-2011/