The Lexington County Blowfish baseball team has a chaplain.

Why? That’s what I asked David Ford, the new chaplain.

His answer: Why not?

David is Minister of Children at Northside Baptist Church.

He comes to the Blowfish with years of experience in coaching and working with youth in the Upward basketball, flag football and soccer programs. Before this season, former Head Coach John Johnson served as both coach and chaplain.

Let’s get back to why.

As David explained it, baseball players are people just like us. And they have the same issues, challenges and struggles as we do.

Some are unique to the baseball players.

Like most colleges students, they are making a transition in their lives.

They are learning how to make good decisions about life, work, and relationships on and off the field, career options, future goals and finding and growing their faith. That is where a chaplain can help.

Players and coaches, like many of us, have things going on in their lives that sometimes require a shoulder to lean on, an ear to hear and a pat on the back.

One challenge all chaplains face is establishing trust. Society in general, doesn’t have a positive view of spiritual leaders. We hold them to higher standards – sometimes unrealistically high.

David feels like he is a “spiritual coach” who builds trust through group and individual prayer and devotions designed to build positive attitudes and motivation and give spiritual guidance on and off the field.

He said he prays that their efforts help them do right.

Blowfish owners Bill and Vicki Shanahan want the best for the players and for them to be their best. (See Shanahan family story on Page A12)

When they need a chaplain, David will be there.

It seems to me that they have just the right man for the job.

Do you have a ministry you want to talk about? Call me at 348-0243 or email me at chuck1946@hotmail.com.