“Chaney gets in the cage and takes a few swings with the photographer snapping and he’s hitting line drives,” Walsh says. “We saw something that day and we’re looking at each other and we say, ‘You’ve swung the stick, haven’t you?’ And he says, ‘Coach, I think I can.’”

Walsh decided right then to give Sheffield a chance to win an outfield spot at the start of this season.

“Luckily the wind was blowing out that day,” Sheffield says.

So far, the move has paid dividends for the Crimson. With freshman outfielder A.J. Solomine slowed by a torn labrum, Sheffield won a spot in the outfield rotation. Sheffield has stepped into the box in 16 of the team’s 24 games, and is batting .308—good for second on the team.

“He’s a battler up at the plate,” Walsh says. “He’s one of those guys who could be up there and be fooled on two pitches and we’re saying, ‘Oh, boy,’ and next thing you know he hits a line shot in the gap. It’s been an exciting switch, one that we really made after that day they did the little workout.”

Look at me/ I can be/ Sheffield

It’s been an exciting switch for Sheffield himself, a senior few would have envisioned playing frequently back when he was primarily a pitcher.

“I can’t tell you how much fun I’m having this year, being part of the games,” Sheffield says. “Even if you’re the ace—if you’re Crockett—you pitch once a weekend and then you have to sit and watch. It’s a dream come true, to be playing this much.”

Sheffield was originally recruited by Walsh out of high school but did not make the team his freshman year. He played junior varsity that year, but his season was shortened by a few weeks after he rolled his ankle on first base.

Still, Walsh invited him to try out for varsity again his sophomore year.

“Because I had a pretty good curve, I got another chance,” Sheffield says. “Coach likes curveball guys.”

Sheffield had played the outfield and some shortstop in addition to pitching, and his sheer athleticism gave him a chance to play the outfield as a defensive replacement.

“I’d always wanted to hit and play in the field—whether or not I could would be something I’d have to prove to Coach,” Sheffield says.

As it turns out, the Buckley incident wasn’t the first time Walsh had seen him play out of his usual position in practice and seen something he liked.