Adam McClain brings southern style to Madison Mallards

By Timothy Garrett

The Madison Mallards baseball team is doing quite well this year and a key reason for that is Adam McClain, who at the time of this writing is leading the Northwoods League with 19 RBI (Runs Batted In) to go with his 13 runs scored and three homers. 

McClain was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. and plays ball for the University of Memphis Tigers during the school year. McClain is working on getting his business degree and is looking at a future in accounting if things don’t  work out for him as a professional baseball player.
"No matter how the economy is doing, everybody needs an accountant for business," McClain said. He also mentioned that there aren't too many players from the South in the Northwoods League, so McClain feels that he "represents the South." 
In regards to playing major league ball McClain says, "I've spent this much time with baseball, so I may as well try [for the pros]." McClain does point out how the majority of amateur ball players may be naive or fooling themselves into thinking they will realize their dream to make it to the big leagues. McClain keeps it real for himself. He knows that he could get hurt or not accepted and that's where his degree in business will help him. McClain also mentioned how pro ball is a "different talent level" than the college players who play in the Northwoods League.
"It's really hard to jump from high school to pro ball," he said. "It's good to have a background situation while staying healthy."
Even though baseball is not a contact sport, playing every day can take its toll on the body. "A lot of guys are aching in the locker room after games,"he said.
But baseball is in McClain's blood; his grandfather played in the Negro Leagues and his father still plays every weekend. McClain said his father was a major influence on him playing ball. When McClain started out playing organized basketball when he was young, his dad gave him the reality check that he needed, reminding  him that he "wouldn't grow to be six-feet-five inches. "I didn't have a good jump shot either," McClain smiled.
He's been playing baseball ever since he was 10 years of age. "I enjoy playing baseball every day,” he says. “There’s no sport I’d rather be playing."
About the time when McClain was a high school freshman and  made it onto the varsity team is when he realized, "Hey, I could be good at this."
And what does McClain like best about playing baseball? "The competition," he answered without hesitation. McClain has noticed the variety of talent that is abundant in the Northwoods League. "You never know what you're going to get."
McClain recognizes that Mallards games are "a fan experience." At each Mallard's game attendees are entertained by various events, competitions, and spectacles that kids and adults participate in on the field between each inning. For instance, there is a dance contest between two kids wearing fat sumo wrestling suits, a tug of war with a giant pair of pants, and there are various races around the bases using toy cars, three-wheeled tricycles, or kids running in various fruit costumes.
The tremendous mixture of sports and entertainment that happens at Mallards games is something new for McClain and the serious ball played at the university level. "I'm in a situation where this is the first time I've seen ball and entertainment mixed to form a product,” he says. “It took a while to cope, but now I'm used to it."
McClain makes the distinction between what his stats show, what the fans see, and how he feels that he is doing. "There is stock that I put into productivity," he says. "I haven't felt good about a whole approach. I have to do the right things with the right process." Sometimes to get a hit McClain will have to change his batting stance — something that he would rather not do.
"The way I want to approach it [is] I let the process carry itself out. I just want to do it the right way. I have to be OK with failure if it won't work out. Everybody has lumps. You'll get picked up [by the Major Leagues] if you can play. It's still early and there's still a chance to do OK."
On defense, you will see McClain playing at either second base or in the outfield. Since he started his career playing shortstop, he prefers being on the infield dirt. "That's where I grew up playing, so it's easier to come back to,” McClain said. “Playing defense is a grind, and I have to get better at it."
It's his mom, dad, sister and girlfriend who McClain thinks of as his main influences. His girlfriend plays volleyball and McClain finds inspiration from her athletic spirit.
"She has kept me grounded and competitive because she was so good at her sport,” McClain says. “She was the number-one blocker in the nation at one point last fall and I wanted to do well like her. She really helps me stay focused. I can call my girlfriend anytime after a game and talking helps."
McClain will also find support from his parents whom he says are his heroes. "Mom will try to make baseball life-oriented,” McClain says. “She may quote a bible scripture to relate a life lesson to it."
McClain also keeps things in check by having permanent reminders on himself in the form of tattoos. On the inside of one wrist is the word "faith." "You gotta believe in something and trust in your abilities." McClain went on to explain. "There is a deep meaning and to do whatever to get through to achieve your goals."
Along the inside of one bicep, the word "purpose" is inked onto his skin. "Purpose for life. For playing the game. To trust what you are doing." McClain said.
Baseball is what keeps McClain stable in life. "Baseball will humble one's self,” he says. “Being overconfident doesn't help as it takes away from the process. It isn't smart."
In front of the home crowd at The Duck Pond at Warner Park on Friday, June 19 McClain was 2 for 4 from the plate. He hit a deep drive into center field, which gave him a standing double and another RBI. Another time he got a walk, stole second base, and later on scored with a wild pitch, to bring the Mallards into the lead with 2-1. McClain got another double and later was tagged out at home during another scoring attempt.
And what was his reaction to how he played?
"I feel like my performance [on Friday] night was something everybody on this team is capable of,” he says. “[Friday] night was just my turn. I want every night to be productive like that."