Dixie hitter gets 2 calls, will preach then play ball

Jimmy Scholzen faced a decision many talented 18-year-old LDS baseball players encounter: serve a church mission or pursue a professional career.

Scholzen, who just completed his freshman season year at Dixie State College, made the decision to serve his church and forego offers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who drafted in the 18th round in the 2004 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

"I knew they were going to try and sign me at the end of the year but I didn't know what to do. I needed to go on a mission," said Scholzen, who hit .305 with four doubles, a homer and 16 RBIs in Dixie's wood-bat only league.

"I called them and told them I needed to go on a mission, and I knew my shot at baseball was over."

He knew the decision ended the possibility of fulfilling his childhood dream of playing in the big leagues during the next two years, but he relied on his faith.

"You have the baseball thing: It's every kid's dream to go and play in the big leagues someday. They're offering me good money and a chance. Then you go to church and around the community and people are asking if you've put your (mission) papers in yet," he said.

"You get pulled both ways, and it's just between you and the Lord and I finally made my decision. . . . I was pretty much at ease and knew everything would work out in the end. And it worked out a couple of hours later."

Scholzen, a 6-foot-3, 170-pound second baseman, told Devil Rays scout Fred Repke of his decision to serve a mission. Repke then informed assistant scouting director R.J. Harrison, who then informed Tim Wilken, Tampa's scouting director. No one wanted to let Scholzen get away so later that evening they countered with an offer Scholzen couldn't refuse.

The offer: He could do both.

"We really believe that this guy can play," said Repke, who signed Scholzen to a contract Monday night at his home in Hurricane. "We're willing to wait, and we don't think he'll skip a beat (when he returns). He'll be older and more mature when he comes back."

His parents, Nick and Erroleen, couldn't believe it. Neither could his brother, Jeff, who is a scout for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The what-can-you-do-for-me-now baseball business made the unheard of move of allowing a signee to serve a mission. He's only the second player in MLB history to be granted that fortune after signing a contract. Many returned missionaries have signed contracts after but not before.