Kevin Brown was a talented but raw shortstop in the backwoods of Georgia several years ago. The lanky young player decided to try to walk on the baseball team at Georgia Tech. That’s when assistant coach Joe “Spanky” McFarland stepped in.

Brown was converted to a pitcher, McFarland’s biggest area of expertise, and the Yellowjackets started turning some heads.

Georgia Tech won their first ACC title and reached the NCAA play-offs, thanks largely to their top right-hander, Kevin Brown.

Brown now pitches for the Texas Rangers. McFarland has been charged with rebuilding the NIU baseball team. Their paths crossed last week in DeKalb.

Brown’s Rangers were in Chicago for a series with the White Sox and he took the opportunity to talk to the participants at McFarland’s baseball camp.

After speaking to the group of enthralled young players, Brown reflected on what McFarland’s tutoring gave him.

“I was really raw and didn’t have a lot of knowledge of what the game was about,” Brown said. “He taught me what mechanics were all about. He also taught me a lot of the basics and told me to be aggressive.”

That aggressiveness on the mound is what has led 43 of McFarland’s pupils into professional baseball.

At his mentor’s camp, Brown said he enjoys mingling with his young fans. “It’s nice to come out and meet them if I have a chance. I remember how it was as a kid, back when the game was simple.”

McFarland was equally happy to give his campers a rare opportunity. “It’s great for the kids to talk to a major leaguer and see that they’re regular people.”

He taught me what mechanics were all about. He also taught me a lot of the basics and told me to be aggressive.”