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, then 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, Shaeffer completed his second year as Kansas baseball’s starting pitcher and 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 Hall, left-handed pitcher from Lee’s Summit, Mo., 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,” Hall said. “Whatever season it was I was just enjoying doing it.”

Hall 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.

“I have always been a KU fan. Living an hour away from the University, it has always been a family tradition,” Hall 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.”

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, Shaeffer’s father, said Shaeffer’s most unique trait is that he had always been a hard worker.

“He was never the biggest or the strongest, but he always worked hard to keep up with his teammates,” Eric Hall said.

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 pursue an education.

“I wasn’t really ever satisfied with what I accomplished,” Hall said. “I knew that at the time, going to school would be the best for me.”

Hall decided to play baseball at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. After only one year at the college, Hall 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,” Hall said. “I got recruited after that game, and the excitement just hasn’t stopped.”

Hall said if it wasn’t for the coaches recruiting him, he wouldn’t be in the situation he is in today.

“While at KU, I was surrounded by good players who were my teammates,” Hall said. “Then Coach gave me the opportunity to pitch on Friday nights which is a big deal.”

While at the University, Hall 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 he remembered Hall as one of the best players they’ve had. He said he also had one of the best work ethics.

“Shaeffer is fairly modest,” Graves said. “However, he has a great command of the ball, and was able to put away hitters. Everyday he showed up for practice or games just excited to be there.”

Hall 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,” Hall said. “I have been drafted three times, and it is God’s way of telling me to move on to the next level.”

Hall said he also received a good signing bonus from the Yankees, and although he won’t give out the details, the amount offered helped cover his education. Hall now plays for the Yankee’s Minor League division, the Staten Island Yankees/ He said he planned on returning 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 division.

After all of his accomplishments, Hall said he still saw himself as just another average guy.

“I am not the most eye-opening baseball player,” Hall said. “I have never been the best, but I believe in myself and have the motivation to work hard.”

— — Edited by Annie Vangsnes