Sports fans who thought they saw the last of Joe Davis in a Thompson Rivers University WolfPack uniform when the 2019-20 Canada West men's basketball season ended are sadly mistaken.

Davis became the WolfPack men's programs all time leading scorer this past season and completed his fifth year of U SPORTS academic eligibility at the seasons end.  He was later named a second team Canada West all-star.

But like a few others before him, and one athlete currently doing this: Joe Davis has decided to become a two sport varsity athlete at Thompson Rivers. The 6'6" Arts student has joined the WolfPack baseball team this week and has made their roster prior to the start of the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference season.

"I played baseball a lot as a kid but went away from it as I started focusing in more on basketball," says Davis who will be a relief pitcher with the Pack.  " I know they (WolfPack baseball) have a very competitive team with some great players and great guys.  When there was an opportunity to spend some time with the team and contribute to their success, I jumped at the chance."

"He's got a great attitude. I love the kid,' Says WolfPack head coach Ray Chadwick. "My daughter said "Joe's going to play baseball? I love him."  Everybody loves Joe. He is a great kid who will be a great addition."

Davis threw for the first time earlier this week (the first time competitively since age 13) and impressed Chadwick. "He is going to catch up (re familiarizing himself with pitching), he is going to help us and it will be fun."

Chadwick says Davis will be a solid influence in the dugout along with providing something extra out of the bullpen. "He is going to come in and get some lefties out (Davis is a lefty himself). As he gets in shape and gets better he will get some righties out as well.  He will compete. You know that from his basketball . Love having him already."

The WolfPack bench boss says Davis has all the natural tools (size, speed and length) to be a legitimate pitcher at the CCBC level.  

With Davis coming in as a literal raw rookie to the baseball program, he is experiencing a 'role reversal' when it comes to teammate Simon Crossfield.  Crossfield, a Vancouver, BC product was a rookie on the TRU basketball team this season where he was guided by team co-captain Davis.  Now, its Crossfield's turn to help mentor Davis when it comes to the finer points of competitive baseball.

"Simon and I were throwing the ball around last week,' Davis recounts. "He was surprised I have a bit of an arm and said I should try out and see what happens.  I came out and threw the ball around with the guys. They are a bit short (on pitchers). They seem excited to have me."

Davis credits the younger Crossfield for having an influence on him already.  "Not only is he an impressive athlete but he has been really helpful on the way they do things here."
"Not really sure how this thing came about," laughs Crossfield. "He (Davis) is a big baseball guy. We would always talk about it in the dressing room (with men's basketball).  I started coming out here once basketball ended. I said he should come out. He did and it just kind of happened."

Crossfield assesses pitcher Joe Davis like this: "He hides the ball well. Has a got a pretty good run on his fastball."

"They have already been playing catch before Joe even came out," says Chadwick. " He (Davis) and Connor (McKenzie, TRU's starting catcher) have been friends and teammates for years growing up and he also encouraged Joe to come out and have some fun.  "

Davis says although very little of the physical traits of basketball apply to baseball, he does believe the transition to early morning training and leadership qualities in game situations will obviously be similarities. 

Being the competitive athlete that he is, and influenced by his WolfPack basketball coach Scott Clark, Joe Davis knows he has to put in the work to be successful when he is called upon to pitch.  ' It's a process.  I have to get my arm strength up. Once I do that, I'll be ready to pitch at some point this year. I have to work on the mechanics. I think I can get more out of my body and maximize my length."

Davis' presence with the baseball program has everyone excited.

"Really good to see him out," said veteran outfielder Taylor Van Ham. " Obviously he was big with the basketball team. Hopefully he can bring some of that positive energy that he had with them to us.  I was really excited when I heard the news that he wanted to play. He'll add some depth being a left hander out of the bullpen. It's huge to have him."
News of Davis' decision to help the Pack baseball team has spread among the other varsity athletes at Thompson Rivers.  A testament to his popularity among his peers, all are looking forward to seeing him pitch and cheering him and the rest of the baseball team on once the season starts.

Davis and the WolfPack will be heading to Vancouver, BC this weekend (March13-14) to play their final two exhibition doubleheaders. They will face the UBC Thunderbirds JV squad.  They open their Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference regular season on Saturday, March 21^st when they host Edmonton Collegiate. That doubleheader and one set for Sunday, March 22^nd will be played at the Canada Games Field on McArthur Island.  Their regular home, Norbrock Stadium has not been cleared safe to play by the City of Kamloops.

EXTRA INNINGS:  Crossfield and Davis are the latest double sport athletes involving baseball.  But there have been others in the past including Jeff Friesen (basketball and baseball),  Graham Allard (volleyball and baseball) and Geoff Fahlmann (Golf and baseball).   The last double sport athlete at Thompson Rivers was Tim Unaegbu who played both soccer and basketball in 2010-2011.