SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends' Schulz An Interested Viewer of 'Shark Week'

August 9, 2013 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


The Discovery Channel's Shark Week is again drawing a large television audience, and among those watching is a Lexington Legends player who has a different perspective than most viewers.

Legends' relief pitcher Clayton Schulz, a native of Florida, was surfing near Jacksonville on a sunny July day in 2010 when he was bitten by a shark. He was taken from the beach by ambulance, stabilized at one hospital, and then taken to another by helicopter where he went into surgery, as he put it, "right off the roof."

The wound to his left foot required 400 stitches, two surgeries and months of rehabilitation - along with some spare time to watch television.

"About two or three days after I got out of the hospital, it was the first night of Shark Week," Schulz said. "I was sitting with my foot up, and didn't have anything else to do, so I think I watched pretty much every show on it."

The incident occurred when Schulz was playing for the University of North Florida, about 11 months before he would be eligible for the major league draft. He was unable to resume any baseball work until December 2010, and his recovery period was further extended when, during his first weightlifting session since the shark bite, he dropped a weight on a his hand and suffered a broken thumb.

Schulz went undrafted in June of 2011, but was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent in August of 2011 after competing in a summer league. He made four appearances with the Arizona League Royals that year and pitched for Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League in 2012, compiling a 5-7 record in 13 starts before being assigned to Lexington for 2013.

This season, he's 3-3 with a 3.30 earned run average in 29 relief appearances with the Legends.

He has long since returned to surfing, and when the Legends' season is over, he'll be back on the board.

"I'm excited, once the season's over, about getting back out and getting in the water. It's good for your shoulders, good for your back and core and everything. Plus, it's a lot of fun. You're out there with your buddies, it's relaxing. So I'm excited to get back out there once the job is done here."

Between now and then, he'll try to help the Legends reach the South Atlantic League playoffs - and watch some television as well.

"Shark Week is on, and I'm excited," he said.

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