Matthew Hutchings: Baseball’s Future on Hold for Latter-day Saints Mission

Matthew Hutchings, a former BYU relief pitcher who’s now a baseball memorabilia enthusiast, has taken on a pretty unique mission. He wants to celebrate the rare overlap between Major League Baseball (MLB) talent and Latter-day Saint missionary service.

His project centers on custom baseballs signed by six returned missionary MLB players. These baseballs honor their journeys of faith, perseverance, and athletic achievement.

Let’s take a closer look at Hutchings’ tribute, how it started, and the stories that make it so meaningful.

A Rare Legacy: MLB Players and LDS Missions

Only nine men have ever played in the MLB and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hutchings focuses on six of them: McKay Christensen, Taylor Cole, Jeremy Guthrie, Jacob Hannemann, Matt Lindstrom, and Justin Sterner.

Each player stepped away from baseball for a while, but they say their faith grew stronger and their lives changed for the better because of it. That’s not something you see every day in pro sports.

The Creation and Meaning of “CALLED TO SERVE” Baseballs

A podcast and a friendship with former MLB pitcher Taylor Cole got Hutchings thinking. That’s what kicked off this one-of-a-kind memorabilia project.

The heart of it is a set of custom baseballs stamped with “CALLED TO SERVE.” The phrase stands for the players’ commitment to both their faith and the game.

Each baseball carries signatures, mission locations, and years of service. Hutchings designed them carefully to honor what these athletes gave up and the dedication they showed.

He doesn’t just want these baseballs to sit on a shelf. Hutchings hopes they spark conversations about faith, perseverance, and the unusual journeys these players took.

He’d love for people to see that you don’t have to choose between career success and personal growth. Maybe that’s a lesson more of us could use.

The Stories Behind the Names

The players in Hutchings’ project have shared some pretty powerful stories about deciding to serve missions. For example, McKay Christensen talks about growing as a leader, while Jeremy Guthrie says he gained a whole new sense of gratitude.

Each story shows how mission service shaped their outlook on life and baseball, and you can feel the impact in the way they talk about it.

Faith and Perspective Over Immediate Advancement

One big theme stands out here: these athletes chose service and faith over chasing immediate baseball success. Living abroad in tough conditions, some lost years that might have boosted their careers.

But what they gained—resilience, maturity, humility—ended up fueling their MLB journeys in a way that stats just can’t measure.

Matthew Hutchings says this project isn’t about fame or numbers. “These baseballs are more valuable to me than those signed by the sport’s legends,” he said.

He’s really talking about the intersection of faith, family, and baseball. That’s what these signed balls represent for him.

A Father’s Passion Passed Down

Hutchings picked up his love for baseball and memorabilia from his dad, Darryl. His father taught him to appreciate the history and legacy of the game.

Now, as a dad himself, Hutchings is passing that passion forward. This project helps him connect with his heroes and his own family at the same time.

It’s a labor of love that shows how baseball can bring generations together, even if you’re not swinging a bat anymore.

Baseball as a Bridge Between Faith, Family, and Heroes

For Hutchings, the “CALLED TO SERVE” baseballs go way beyond being collector’s items. They connect him to the values he cares about most.

Through this tribute, he honors his heroes, shows his devotion to his faith, and celebrates family ties. Sometimes, sports really do offer those moments of human connection that matter more than any trophy.

Conclusion: A Mission Worth Remembering

Matthew Hutchings’ project goes beyond honoring Latter-day Saint MLB players. It’s really about choice, sacrifice, and faith—those big, messy things that stick with you.

By sharing the stories of Christensen, Cole, Guthrie, Hannemann, Lindstrom, and Sterner, Hutchings has built a tribute that feels bigger than baseball. These collectibles nudge us to remember the tricky dance between passion, service, and just not giving up.

Maybe you’re into baseball, maybe you’re a collector, or maybe you just need a little inspiration—either way, Hutchings’ “CALLED TO SERVE” baseballs hit home. He found a way to pitch something special, not in the stadium, but in the hearts of folks who care about faith, family, and what it means to serve.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Baseball could wait