The next time you head to an Augusta Green Jackets game, take a look around the stadium. Beneath the stands and to the side of the diamond, there's a place where players gather on a regular basis to show their faith.

For two decades, Rev. Robert Lehn has been conducting Sunday service at Westside Baptist Church. But he also takes his message on the road.

Lehn is the team chaplain for the Augusta Greenjackets and conducts services in the dugout before every Sunday home game.

"I think this gives them something they can really hold onto and take with them after the game... whether they've had a good game or not," he said.

About a dozen players participate in the Sunday service -- several others take part in Bible study. The players rely on their faith when things get tough out on the diamond.

"I think most importantly it helps you put things in perspective. That we're just playing a game and there are bigger things out there -- things we can't control," said Jonathan Armitage, Greenjackets outfielder.

"Baseball is a game that is all about consistency. And I think doing the Bible study on a weekly basis is the same thing -- it's being consistent in your faith," said pitcher Adam Gardner.

Because the team is on the road so much, players say it's easy to get away from a spiritual base. The baseball chapel gives some of that back.

"It's the one thing you miss on a team like this because you're traveling so much you don't have your home church. To be able to hear God's word is awesome," said pitcher Tim Alvarez.

Reverend Lehn says he's thrilled to be a part of a game he loves with a mission to share good news with the players.

"We have one shot at life and I want to try and encourage these players to get what Christ has for them which is a life that fulfills," he said.

"This is a game we'll be playing for another couple of months or maybe until we're 45. But regardless, if we have our strong faith, that going to get us through everything," Gardner said.

Reverend Lehn has been leading Sunday services for the Augusta baseball team since 1989.

MORE ON BASEBALL CHAPEL FROM REV. LEHN:

Baseball Chapel was founded in 1973 to meet spiritual needs of players, managers and coaches. The focus of the ministry is a chapel service held at the ball parks every week.

Bible studies also are held for players and their wives. Volunteers are appointed to serve as the Baseball Representative to every professional baseball team.

In the early 1960s, major league players, unable to attend church since
they played every Sunday, initiated chapel services when they were on road trips. Services were usually held at the team hotel.

Watson Spoelstra, a Detroit sportswriter, approached Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn with the idea of organizing a program to provide weekly services for every major league team.

The Cubs and Twins were the first teams to have chapel. In 1974, the Cincinnati Reds became the first team to hold services at the ballpark rather than at the hotel.

That same year, chapels were held during the playoffs for the first time.

At the start of the 1975 season, all teams had chapel. Programs in the minor leagues were established in 1978.

Chapel services are held for teams in the majors, minors and independent leagues (over 250 teams) during the regular season, playoffs and the World Series. There are also services conducted during spring training, fall and winter leagues and at the annual winter meeting.

Attendance at chapel is approximately 3,000 per week during the peak of the season when rookie leagues and independent teams are playing.