There’s not much time to enjoy the thrill or savor the significance of stepping up to the plate in your first Major League Baseball game.

That’s what Chris Barnwell learned last summer when he became the first Flagler College player to make the “big show.” Barnwell was unexpectedly called up from the Class AAA Nashville Sounds to play for the team’s parent club, the Milwaukee`Brewers.

“It was the only time I ever forgot how to walk,” Barnwell said about the game. “You could feel the people, that you were being looked at … I thought I would just go and watch and be the emergency guy, but I ended up getting in the game the first night I was there.”

Barnwell didn’t get any hits that “extremely nervous” first time at-bat, but he did the next day. He swung a base hit that teammate Rickie Weeks followed with a home run, bringing Milwaukee a slim 4-3 victory.

“That moment wasn’t anything spectacular,” Barnwell said. “The actual moment on the field was just kind of heart-racing.

“After the fact was different. They give you about 10 or 20 minutes after the game, and then the media comes in … it was really weird because it was microphones basically in your mouth and cameras all over. I just tried not to stumble over my words and say ‘um’ 50 times.”

Success in baseball is nothing new to Barnwell, who set several records during his four-year career with the Saints. Flagler retired his old jersey at a game ceremony this February.

“I was really honored,” he said. “But I’m kind of a team guy, so I felt weird up there [by myself.]”

Barnwell played in the majors for about a month as a temporary replacement. He has played several seasons in the minors, and he plans to return to Nashville this season. Many minor league players never permanently rise in the ranks, but Barnwell’s consistent and unselfish determination has gained some attention.

“Each year, he has gotten better,” Brewers first base coach Dave Nelson told MLB.com. “Scouts told me the same thing I’m sure they’ve told him, ‘You’ll never play in the big leagues.’ Well, I played 11 years in the big leagues.”

Flagler baseball coach Dave Barnett said Barnwell’s stint in the majors is inspiring.

“It’s a great statement for kids willing to commit themselves and work hard,” Barnett said. “That shows you anything can happen.” Barnwell said he needs to keep improving his game, but he hopes to have some fun in the upcoming season.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself last year,” he said, noting he didn’t do as well during his time in the majors as he would have liked. “The mixture of nerves and not playing every single day made it kind of tough.

“I think deep down, I always thought it [making it to the majors] was a dream … if you don’t believe you’re going to get there, you’re going to fail.”

Barnwell said he’s wanted to play in the majors since he first started playing baseball at age 5. After four or five years in the minors, he added, “it’s hard to imagine yourself getting up there.”

Now, with a more relaxed approach, does Barnwell still see a future for himself in the big leagues?

“Of course,” he said, “or I wouldn’t be doing it.”

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