At 19, Neil Walker is already learning the art of being a role model.

"I love teaching kids because they're so much fun and keep me on my toes," said Walker, of Richland, who instructs youngsters in the finer points of baseball at The Diamond Training Center in Cranberry. "Just seeing them smile and having fun is a big reward because it makes me feel really good about myself."

Walker graduated from Pine-Richland High School in 2003. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the team's first pick in June, Walker began the initial steps toward fulfilling a lifelong dream. "I've always wanted to play [baseball] in front of 30,000 fans in a huge stadium with some of the best players in the world."

He spent most of last summer as catcher on the Gulf Coast Minor League farm team called the Bradenton Pirates, where he was able to meet some of his idols, including former Pirates catcher Jason Kendall.

"Being around those guys is kind of cool," Walker said. "I'd been watching them on TV for all those years, and it's neat to see them in person. They're always giving you good advice, and they're pulling for you, too, because they hope the organization can get better by having you in it. They're really down to earth, even though they're making big money."

Despite his newfound status, Walker strives to emulate the humble demeanor of his role models. He counts his family members among his greatest idols of all: His father, Tom Walker, spent six years as a pitcher in the Major Leagues; his brother, Matt, 27, plays for the Baltimore Orioles; and his sister, Carrie, 22, plays professional basketball in Ireland.

"My parents were strict when I was growing up, but I'm now realizing that they were doing it for the best," Walker said. "That's hard to understand when you're young, but it's paid off, and I'm happy to have my family so close to me, giving me so much support."

He's eager to pass that support on to his young pupils.

"Neil is great," said Brad Collier, 12, of Zelienople, who takes private lessons from Walker at The Diamond, a baseball and softball training center in Thorn Hill Industrial Park. "He's always encouraging me and tells me when I'm doing something wrong and tries to help me fix it."

Brad's father, Bill Collier, has been impressed by the rookie's genuine personality. "Neil calls me Mr. Collier, which cracks me up," said Collier, "but that's OK. He models respect for the kids."

Collier noted, "It must be tough, having the attention that he's had -- everyone's watching him and writing stories about him -- to maintain his character at all times. But it's who you are as a person when no one's looking. In those quiet moments, from what I can observe, Neil's the same guy. The challenge for him as a man is to continue to be that person when success comes."

Walker knows that the road to success won't be easy. He pointed out that his current job teaching private lessons and clinics at The Diamond was hard won.

"Last year, I worked sweeping the floors. I worked at the concession stand, and I was picking up baseballs. After I got drafted, I told them there better be a job for me when I come back."

He still has a long way to go before he earns his spot in the big league. To move from rookie to major league status, a player must achieve six levels -- short season A team, low A, high A, AA, AAA and big league.

"If I stay healthy and play pretty well, I'll [be able to] play for the big leagues in about two or three years," he said. "And there are guys like myself fighting for jobs with the organization. It's a long road, but it will pay off."

After his first season, Walker was promoted to the low A team called the Williamsport Crosscutters, and he plans to return to Florida in February for spring training.

Until then, he's practicing his baseball and mentoring skills.

"Your image in pro baseball is enormous, and what better way to help that than to go out in the community and do what you hoped someone would do for you when you were their age?" Walker said.

He played baseball and football in high school and had planned to attend Clemson University in South Carolina, where he'd made a verbal agreement to play college baseball before the Pirates drafted him.

"All of my friends are at college doing their things, but I know that what I'm doing is benefiting myself, and it's important for the kids I'm helping," he said, adding that he feels strongly that his job is more than just baseball lessons. "I'm there to teach them about life and have fun because that's the main goal."

At least one of his pupils believes Walker is achieving that goal.

"I sort of feel like he's a celebrity, but he's more like my friend," Brad Collier said. "There are times I think I can't do something and Neil tells me I can. With his help, man, I could do anything. He's great."