Fred Ferguson was playing right field for the University of Utah baseball team a month ago at the Mountain West Conference championship in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Utes placed third in the tournament, the university’s best-ever finish.

Ferguson, 22, is now channeling his competitive spirit into the House slow-pitch softball league. As a summer intern for Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Ferguson joins the office team called the Raucous Caucus. So far, the team is undefeated after five games, though it ranks second in the league after suspending a game because of rain.

“We’ll get it back tomorrow,” said Ferguson, who is certain his team will clinch the No. 1 spot after the next game. But he takes little credit for the team’s success.

“Sometimes the key is how good your girls are, and our girls are good,” said Ferguson, who remains an outfielder.

He says his boss sometimes ventures out to a game and plays in the infield or pitches. Bishop’s private office is decorated with jerseys and hats from local baseball teams and the Chicago Cubs, making baseball a point of connection between Ferguson and his boss.

“One of the first questions I was asked when I was interviewed is how I feel about slow-pitch softball,” Ferguson said. He suspects that Bishop’s office had noticed college baseball on his résumé and was already recruiting players for the softball team.

Besides bringing college baseball experience to the office team, Ferguson also brings an interest in conservative politics to the office. He believes in supporting the armed forces after following his brother’s military journey.

Ferguson’s brother is stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and was on standby to assist in Burma earthquake-relief efforts. For now, Ferguson leads tours and stuffs envelopes, but he hopes someday to influence policy as a congressman.

If not, he’ll settle for coaching baseball.