On a midsummer morning in the Dominican Republic, Felix Pie left behind a small, dirt-floor home he shared with his mother, father, sister and three brothers as he decided to spend his day shining shoes at a baseball diamond instead of attending school.

"It was 7 a.m. and my mom was telling me to get ready for school because I was already late," Pie said. "I decided to get ready but to go to the park instead just to see some of the people throw."

Pie, who shined shoes to help support his family, stood behind the ballpark fence with his shoe-polish box at his side in the small town of La Romana, watching intently as players swung bats trying to impress major-league scouts. The scouts had not seen anyone they liked.

"I went to talk to the scouts just as fan and they asked me if I wanted to try out," Pie said.

In bare feet, the shinebox replaced by pine and leather, Pie demonstrated talents, including a 60-yard dash in a time fast enough the Chicago Cubs scout went back to Pie's home with him and signed him.

"I just cried because I was so happy," he said.

"My mom at first yelled at me because I didn't go to school, but then she just smiled and hugged me."

Now, 18 years old, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Pie has seen much success since that fateful July day two years ago. This season, Pie is hitting .285 as the 'Nuts everyday leadoff hitter, leading the team with eight triples and is third on the team with 14 stolen bases. He was the only Midwest League player selected to the Major League Baseball Futures Game in Chicago during All-Star Weekend, and is showing few signs of slowing down, despite his continuous adaptation to playing organized baseball.

"Just to be (in Chicago) with all the top prospects of the world was such a great honor," Pie said. "And to have experiences like running out into the outfield during the game and talking to Ernie Banks was wonderful."

Pie's first acclimation to the United States was last season when Pie spent his time in the rookie league for the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Ariz. It was a successful beginning as the team won the division's championship, and Pie was named the league's most valuable player.

With such humble beginnings, Pie's career in baseball really didn't get going until he was around 13. As a kid, he always liked to play ball in the street, but his family wasn't able to afford shoes or a uniform so that he could play organized ball.

For Pie, dedication to the game - new shoes or none at all - has carried him throughout his minor-league beginnings.

That strong dedication has carried on with him all the way to Lansing. A fun-loving, motor-mouthed prankster - the first English phrase his Lansing teammates taught him to speak isn't suitable for print - Pie is best known around his team for his amazing will to win.

"His approach to the game is so energetic and competitive," Lugnuts left fielder Keith Butler said. "He is a great guy to have around in the locker room because he brings that winning attitude."

His yearning to win and locker room leadership could really come into play later this season. Pie helped the Lugnuts to one of their best first-half records in team history (38-27) and a berth into the Midwest League playoffs as a wild card team.

Despite the Lugnuts' losing streak and spot in the cellar of the Eastern Division, Lansing manager Julio Garcia said Pie has been a bright spot.

"He's one of the reasons why we are having such a good season," Garcia said. "He's got a great attitude toward the game and the skills that we need. He also is a positive influence as the season wears on and guys need that energy to pick them up."

Garcia's thoughts were echoed by the man who stands to Pie's right in the Oldsmobile Park outfield.

"He's very quick to the ball and that makes my job easier," Butler said. "He always goes after every ball and I know even if I'm in a bad position that he will help bail me out."

Pie is adored by more than just the players and his coaches. Ken and Margarita McWilliams, his host family in Lansing, love Pie, too.

"He's so peppy and friendly to everyone," Margarita said. "Felix is always willing to learn and he's working hard to learn our culture."

Adapting to the American culture has been an adventure for Pie. McDonald's, big-city life in Chicago and driving are his favorites so far. He also had the experience of a game being called on account of snow for the first time earlier this season.

"He absolutely loves to drive, but I definitely fasten my seat belt tightly," Ken McWilliams said with a chuckle. "He also was amazed at the sight of snow and couldn't understand how we could ever drive in stuff like that."

Even though Pie has already been compared to the ageless Rickey Henderson of the L.A. Dodgers and upstart Vladimir Guerrero of the Montreal Expos, Garcia said there's nowhere for Pie to go but up.

Scouts rank Pie in the top three of the Cubs prospects, saying he needs to work on filling out his body and learning to read pitchers better. Prospectreport.com also ranks him sixth in the top outfield prospects in Minor League Baseball, believing he will make it to the big leagues by 2006.

"The sky is the limit in terms of what he can accomplish," Garcia said. "There are a lot of little things he needs to pick up because he hasn't played a whole lot but with his talents, he can be a solid center fielder at the major-league level."

And Pie remains modest.

"I am nothing yet and it is impossible to compare myself to people who are already there," Pie said. "Time is going to tell what will happen but I just work hard every day and always try to bring positive energy so that someday maybe I can be like Sammy Sosa."

Perspective on why he plays professional baseball isn't escaping the speedy center fielder, though.

"My biggest dream is to make it to the bigs so that I can help my family," said Pie, tearing up.

His speed on the base paths might get him there, but one thing will always keep him close to his roots - he's going to need shoe polish to take off the diamond's dirt.