Purpose Driven Baseball

The mission of Purpose Driven Baseball is to equip and train young men not only for the sport of baseball but more importantly for LIFE with Purpose. We feel that our purpose in life is rooted in, established by and sustained through a personal relationship with Christ.

Through Purpose Driven Baseball camps and clinics, players will receive excellent baseball instruction from current and former college and professional players and coaches. More importantly, players will be exposed to lessons beyond the sport. In our sports addicted culture, too often the performance of the sport is projected as the ultimate goal in life rather than the sport being used as a tool to teach valuable life lessons. Teamwork, self discipline, friendship, hard work, determination, courage, patience, and dealing with disappointment are just a few examples of character building focuses that can be coached rather than just coaching for performance.

The funds generated through donations and camps will be used primarily for Baseball mission trips with some of the funds used to scholarship deserving players to play on community teams. Our first mission trip is scheduled for July of 2008 to either Czech Republic, Croatia, or Germany. There will be an application process for players ages 14-15. Players will be trained to share their testimony and trained to present the gospel clearly if given the opportunity. We feel that this is a huge opportunity to foster an eternal perspective in the lives of these young men and help them grow as young ambassadors for Christ. We are encouraged to be working in partnership with Athletes in Action and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Our first annual day camp is scheduled for January 19,2008. The location is Clayton high school, Clayton, NC. We have the baseball and softball fields available as well as access to two gyms in case the weather forces us inside. Notable coaches and former MLB players at this year's camp are: Ray Tanner (current USC and USA coach), Mark Scalf (UNCW and USA coach), Pat Watkins (former MLB player with Reds, Rockies and Marlins), Mike Mahoney (former MLB player with the Cubs and Cardinals).

Purpose Driven Baseball is dedicated to the memory of Johnnie Stott. Stott played college baseball at UNC in the late 50's and early 60's pitching in the college world series in '60. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins and played in their organization under then player/coach Jack McKeon. Those who knew Stott, saw him to be a man who had a passion for three things: God, Family and Baseball. He died suddenly of a Heart attack in 1994 and left behind family and friends who were greatly influenced by his life.