Sharp Goes From Intern To Bullpen Catcher

SPRINGDALE — When Northwest Arkansas sent one of its catchers to Class A-Advanced Wilmington in early June, the Naturals were left with just two players at the position.

Normally, that isn’t a big deal.

But, as Northwest Arkansas prepared to host Tulsa, the lineup had Manny Pina behind the plate and Naturals manager Brian Poldberg wanted to put catcher Mitch Canham in the designated hitter’s spot. That meant the Naturals wouldn’t have an experienced catcher to stay in the bullpen to warm up the relievers.

Poldberg, however, was offered a solution when Naturals management told him they had someone in mind.

So, Poldberg just went and asked Fred Sharp to add bullpen catcher to his stadium operations intern duties. Sharp thought his playing days were over after he finished his career as a catcher at Bowling Green this past season, but he jumped at the chance to put on a uniform again.

“Poldberg asked me, and I said yes,” Sharp said. “I was nervous at first because every level of baseball is a jump. I was a little worried, but all the guys were welcoming and helpful. Warming up the pitchers or warming up the right fielder, that is my job.”

Poldberg played professional ball with Bowling Green coach Danny Schmitz and knew that Sharp’s NCAA Division I experience behind the plate was good enough for the job.

“Sharp works at the ballpark all day, then he is in the bullpen at night,” Poldberg said. “He never seems to get tired. It has worked out well.”

Sharp didn’t expect to stay in the bullpen long, but that changed as the Naturals won three straight games and five of seven with their new bullpen catcher.

“We won the first two games he did it, and we got rolling with him out there,” Poldberg said.

Sharp said he had no problem by adding the extra duty to his already busy schedule.

“They were struggling a bit, and I showed up and they won a couple in a row,” Sharp said. “They told me that they were sticking me back there and that I couldn’t leave, so it just stuck.”

Sharp was hired as an intern in April, but his arrival was delayed until days just before he added

Fred Sharp

POSITION: Bullpen catcher/Naturals Intern

NOTABLE: Was a catcher for Bowling Green and will soon graduate with a degree in sports management. … Was hired as a stadium operations intern, but added being the Naturals bullpen catcher to his duties in early June.

catching to his summer duties. Bowling Green qualified for the Mid-America Conference Tournament on the final day of the regular season and then won the conference tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament.

Sharp was a bit apprehensive when he informed Naturals Director of Stadium Operations Jeff Windle that he wouldn’t make his original arrival date because Bowling Green qualified for the MAC tourney.

“Jeff just said, ‘Go out and win the whole thing,’” Sharp said. “They just told me when baseball was over to come on down. It was a big relief to me knowing that I could go out and concentrate on baseball and not lose credits for school.”

When Sharp finally landed in Springdale, he started his job of helping make sure Arvest Ballpark is up to par. That means doing everything from making sure the air conditioning is working in the suites to fixing broken seats and at times helping prepare the field for play.

But now, Sharp’s internship is a whole lot more interesting, including warming up Naturals pitcher Brooks Pounders before the right-hander’s no-hitter last month.

“To be able to celebrate that with the guys was a lot of fun,” Sharp said. “These guys have a lot more control than I am used to, and they are a lot more accurate with their pitches. There is a lot more movement on the ball, and that was a big adjustment.”

Sharp will graduate in August with a degree in sports management and is looking for a full-time job in sports. A career in law enforcement is also a possibility as Sharp’s father, Fredrick, is a federal agent in Detroit.

“I have options, so whatever happens happens,” Sharp said.

And a little professional playing experience is going to be a plus.

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