McLouth Develops Big League Faith in the Minors

LYNCHBURG, VA (June 2, 2002) - A year after signing a professional baseball contract, Nate McLouth is learning big league lessons about his Christian faith in his journey through the minor leagues.

McLouth, who grew up in Whitehall, Michigan, and attended the Covenant church there, is an outfielder with the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Considered one of the top prospects in the Pittsburgh organization, McLouth is gaining new insight into his relationship with God as he struggles through his most difficult baseball season in recent years.

After 43 games (through May 30), Lynchburg led the Carolina League's Northern Division, but McLouth was hitting only .234, 51 points less than a year ago. Still, the 20-year-old remains confident that major league baseball is still a possibility, although his perspective on life has changed markedly.

"Most kids my age are sitting in a (college) classroom, but I chose this route because it's always been my dream to be a big leaguer," he said. "I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world. It's definitely not easy being a Christian in professional baseball, but I think I'm strong enough to do the right thing and when I'm struggling, it's nice to know I have the Lord to lead me and guide me when I don't have anyone else to talk to."

In 2000, McLouth had finished high school baseball with an All-State season in Michigan, having set a state record for career stolen bases with 180 while ranking third in triples (14) and eighth in homers (32). After being signed by the Pirates in the 25th round of the 2000 amateur draft, he spent the 2001 season in the South Atlantic (Class A) League and batted .285, ranking him as the best hitter for average in the Pittsburgh organization by Baseball America.

McLouth, shown here batting in a game last weekend, is playing at an advanced level of Class A baseball and is seeing stiffer competition this season. "There's a difference between being a good hitter and a professional hitter," he said of the high quality of pitching he has seen. "The higher you go, the better the command pitchers have. They're unbelievable. But the key is the mental approach. You've got to go up to the plate confident every at-bat and try to hit your pitch, not the pitch the pitcher wants to get you out with."

The nomadic lifestyle of professional baseball has been a bit daunting also and the busy schedule makes it difficult to attend church consistently. McLouth said that another Christian player, Josh Hudnall, has been supportive and he is thankful for the example parents Rick and Pam have provided for he and high school-aged brothers Chris and Jake.

"They showed me what the Christian faith is all about," McLouth said. "They were a big influence."

Recently, McLouth has been reading Eugene Peterson's A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, a book that stresses the importance of keeping a long-term focus in today's quick-fix society. The lessons he is learning seem to be helping him both on and off the field.

"The season is so long that there's time to bring the (hitting) numbers up," McLouth said. "I'm confident that I have the tools to be a professional hitter. And I realize the Lord is with me whether I'm 0-for-5 at bat or 5-for-5.

"I love this game, but if I don't make the big leagues, I know I have more going for me," McLouth continued. "And it's only been after I signed (a pro contract) and was on my own that I realized baseball wasn't the first thing in my life. I need my Christian faith more."

Printable version of this page.