Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat

Jason Seefeld hit .458 last season with a school-record eight home runs. CNJ photo by Eric Kluth.

Rick White

Jason Seefeld likes the idea of playing for a program on the rise. He likes the idea of getting a chance to play right away at the University of Arizona. He even gets to remain a Wildcat.

But one of the overriding factors in the Clovis senior standout signing a national letter of intent to play baseball at Arizona on Wednesday was the weather.

“You can play baseball year-round out there,” said Seefeld, a power-hitting shortstop who was named the District 4-5A player of the year as a junior.

Seefeld hit .458 with a school-record eight home runs and 27 RBI last season. He also served as the Wildcats’ closer.

Wednesday was the first day of the early signing period for spring sports.

Seefeld was enamored with the fact second-year coach Andy Lopez won a national championship at Pepperdine and turned the University of Florida into a top-25 program.

“I really liked the coaching staff when I went out there,” said Seefeld, who took an official visit to the Tucson campus in October and also attended a camp there in the summer. “I hope I get a chance to play in the College World Series before I leave there.”

Arizona finished last season 35-23.

Another reason Seefeld said he chose the Pac-10 school over Texas Tech and Oklahoma State was it was “a chance to be on his own and enjoy the whole college experience.”

Seefeld is the fourth player to sign to play college baseball in Wildcats’ Shane Shallenberger’s two-plus years at Clovis.

“That’s great for the program,” said Shallenberger, who has led the Wildcats to back-to-back state playoff appearances.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a couple more sign this spring.”

Shallenberger said Seefeld possesses all the skills to succeed at the Division I level and even beyond.

“He’s a hitter and hitters play,” Shallenberger said. “He’s also got a good arm and fields well, and he’s going to improve on those skills.”

The Clovis coach said Seefeld’s ability to hit to all fields is what sets him apart from most high school players.

“He just understands how to hit,” Shallenberger said. “He hits the ball where it’s pitched.”

Seefeld is not playing basketball this season so he can concentrate on baseball.

College coaches are not allowed to comment of recruits until they receive the letter of intent.

Lopez could not be reached for comment.