At first sight, you wouldn’t believe that the 6-foot-1 frame of Tim McNab could be an effective closer. You probably wouldn’t believe that the senior has six saves on the season and an ERA of 0.57. He just doesn’t look like that caliber of player.

Looks can be deceiving because this Indiana University transfer student has propelled this team back on track and to him and his teammates, it’s all about fun.

“Sometimes I think we have too much fun on this team. We’re doing something we like to do and that makes it a lot more fun,” said McNab.

McNab not only contributes to his team with his baseball skills, but also with his optimistic attitude.

“I’m always smiling, joking around, and trying to keep other people light, which I think helps some people.”

Having fun out on the field can’t hurt. Besides playing well, fun seems to be McNab’s main goal.

“I just tell my teammates to have fun out there. Because that’s what I do. That’s the only reason I play this game and I hope that’s the only reason a lot of these guys play the game.”.

His success at baseball can be traced back to his father.

“Everything baseball-wise I attribute to my Dad,” said McNab. His career began very early.

“My dad put a Yankee hat on me when I was about two seconds old. I’d probably say when I was two- or three-years-old my pops was out there chuckin’ balls with me,” said McNab.

Coming in and closing games for FAU baseball is something McNab wasn’t recruited for, interestingly enough. When he attended Cooper City High School he was an outfielder.

“I think I threw maybe one inning in highschool.”

He discovered his talent on the mound when playing for the Wisconsin Woodchucks in the North-woods Summer League in ’00 and ’01.

“Pitching pretty much started in summer ball. That was kind of like an eye-opener. I said hey maybe I can do this, and maybe it’ll be a lot of fun,” said McNab.

He recorded 15 saves with theWoodchucks in ’00, which is a North-Woods League record. He also set the record for most appearances in the ’00 season with 28.

McNab came to Florida Atlantic as a junior in ’01 after attending Indiana University. However, McNab still played in the outfield while attending Indiana, and even when he first came here to FAU.

In fact, in the second game of last season he started in right field, but was then switched over to pitcher. He got the win too, striking out 1 batter, and giving up one hit and one run in the 1.2 innings he pitched.

McNab struggled after that first weekend of last year, both with his batting and his pitching. When people struggle though, you can get a good look at their character. This is definitely the case with Tim McNab.

FAU Head Coach Kevin Cooney said that even though McNab struggled , “He never bitched or complained. He always worked hard. He always had a smile on his face, well not always but for the most part.”

Cooney is glad that McNab is part of the team.

“That type of kid you really enjoy being around. A lot of people, when they struggle just go down that drain, and Tim didn’t do that,” said Cooney.

McNab’s struggles at the plate were really a blessing in disguise.

“I got a chance to throw last year in the conference tournament and it made me turn my head and say maybe this is what I want to do,” said McNab.

He pursued this idea and gave Coach Cooney a call in the off-season. “I said, if there’s an opening for the closer spot that’s what I’d like to do. And he gave it to me and said it’s yours to lose,” said McNab.

He really can’t complain about the situation he’s in now. He has 5 saves and his team is on a 16-game winning streak.

Everything is coming together for McNab and the team this season and the best part about that is that it’s working out perfectly.