THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY AUGUST 17, 2009
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
BACK TO SCHOOL
59
PITCHING IN PINSTRIPES
Hall accepts Yankees after two other major league offers
Sophomore pitcher Shaeffer Hall throws the first pitch in a Kansas game against Wichita State University. Hall was drafted by the New York Yankees and is playing for their Minor League team, the Staten Island Yankees.
BY HANNAH DECLERK
hdeclerk@kansan.com
Weston White/KANSAN
He spent his days as a young boy wanting to be them. He pictured himself on the dirt mound, shifting his knees and wiping the dirt onto his fresh white trousers. He imagined himself bouncing the white ball into his brown glove. Up and down, up and down. He would look left, spit right, and then hurl the ball toward home plate.
"Shaeffer, Shaeffer!" They would call.
He dreamed, like any fourth grader, of becoming something great. Spending his summers at Kansas baseball camps, he would picture himself as the college players. His dream came true when he was recruited to play with the University, and went above and beyond when he was recruited to a Major League team.
In the spring of 2009, Shahefer Hall, left-handed pitcher from Lee's Summit, Mo., completed his second year as Kansas baseball's starting pitcher. He was recently recruited by the New York Yankees in the 25th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. After all his accomplishments, he said he still saw himself as average, or just a guy who had to work hard and believe in himself to get to where he was today.
Shaeffer spent the majority of his life in sports. His family motivated him to stay active and got him involved with football, basketball and baseball.
"Growing up, I didn't have a favorite or best sport," Shaefe said.
Shaeffer said one of his fondest memories was of a baseball camp he attended in fourth grade. It was at the University, and he said he remembered wanting to be one of the Kansas baseball players.
Shaeffer said he did not expect to be recruited to a Major League Baseball team right out of high school — but he was. He was drafted to the Texas Rangers, but turned down the offer to
"I have always been a KU fan. Living an hour away from the University, it has always been a family tradition," Shaeffer said. "Looking back to what motivated me to pitch was watching the older players and wanting to fall in their footsteps. I wanted to be them."
"He was never the biggest or the strongest, but he always worked hard to keep up with his teammates," Eric Hall said.
His love of sports continued through high school, but it wasn't until his senior year that he started to excel in baseball.
Eric Hall, Shaefe's father, said Shaefe's most unique trait was that he had always been a hard worker.
pursue an education.
"I knew that at the time, going to school would be the best for me," Shaeffer said.
Shaeffer decided to play baseball at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. After only one year at the college, Shaeffer was recruited by another Major League team, the Cleveland Indians. He said he turned them down because in his eyes, a greater opportunity came along — a chance to play with the University of Kansas.
"I was friends with one of KU's baseball players, and he told the coaches I had a strong interest in KU. He told the coaches to come watch me, and they did." Shaeffer said. "I got recruited after that game, and the excitement just hasn't stopped."
Shaefer said if it wasn't for his coaches, he wouldn't be where he is.
"While at KU, I was surrounded by good players who were my teammates," Shaeffer said. "Then Coach gave me the opportunity to pitch on Friday nights which is a big deal."
While at the University, Shaeffer tossed the fifth no-hitter in team history. He was an All-Big 12 honorable mention, an academic all-conference selection and the first Jayhawk to tally multiple complete shut-outs in a season.
Ryan Graves, assistant coach, said Shaeffer was one of the best players they've had.
"Shaeffer is fairly modest," Graves said. "However, he has a great command of the ball, and was able to put away hitters."
Shaeffer was drafted for the third
time a month ago by the New York Yankees, which prompted him to finally end his run with Kansas baseball. He signed with the Yankees two days later.
"Getting to play for KU is just as exciting as playing for the Yankees." Shaeffer said. "I have been drafted three times, and it is God's way of telling me to move on to the next level."
Shaeffer said he also received a good signing bonus from the Yankees that helped cover his education. Shaeffer now plays for the Yankee's
Minor League team, the Staten Island Yankees. He said he planned to return to the University in the fall to continue his education. He said he would leave again in the spring to play for the Yankees, and would work to make it to the Yankee's Major League team.
"I am not the most eye-opening baseball player," Shaeffer said. "I have never been the best, but I believe in myself and have the motivation to work hard."
Edited by Annie Vangsnes