Getting to know Bentley Massey-RHP

Bentley Massey: Senior, Right handed pitcher for Wilson Fike High School


The start: When I was 5 years old and playing Tee Ball. On the first day of tryouts, my Fike teammate, Jacob Davis's mother was coaching and I remember thinking how could a woman be coaching baseball. I asked her if she was really a coach and of course she set me straight and advised indeed she was. My immediate response was "well, you sure are pretty". Ms Helen still reminds me of that comment.



Travel teams: In 9-10 ball, I played for a travel team called the Mudcats. Later I played 13 year old ball with the Stretchlon Stars and 14 year old ball with the Wilson Pirates. The most fun I ever had was the Disney Tournament over Christmas in 2003.


Getting ready: I try to get a good night's sleep and eat properly before the game. I'll do some running, stretching, band work, and try to have a good bull pen. Mentally, I just try to remember that baseball is a tough game with alot of failure and the only thing I can control is throwing strikes.


Favorites: First, I would get in trouble if I did not mention my parents. They have been there to support me in every aspect of life and I hope I can be like them when I have children. But, my baseball role model and I guess you could say my hero is Robert Woodard. In my opinion he is the pitcher that I want to be. He's a winner who is successful by movement, location, and deception. He is not a flame thrower, but knows how to pitch and get guys out. I have been to some pitcher camps at UNC and Robert was there and was always nice and friendly. I think he is a great person who just happens to be a baseball player. That's what I want to be.


Big time ball: In 2006, I was invited to play with the Dirtbags, but I had already committed to the Cubs. Playing with the Cubs was OK, but in the Fall of 2007, I finally got a chance to play with the Dirtbags and that was a blast. We had some great players on our team and played at some great schools. I really enjoyed being around these elite players and Coach Partin and Coach Mills were great. Showcase ball can be a humbling experience. It lets you know where you stand reminds you that you can always get better with hard work.



I did it: I would have to say in 2005, my freshman year at Fike when we played Hunt for the conference tournament championship and I relieved Taylor Southerland (App State signee) in the 4th inning and got the win. It's always good to beat Hunt!


I want to be: My short term ambitions are to play baseball in college somewhere. I've got some D-II and D-III schools interested, but I have not committed yet. Long term I want to study medicine and either have a career in Sports Medicine , Orthopedics, or maybe be a Physicians Assistant.


Shade: Fike's colors are navy blue and vegas gold and this is OK. But I think any uniform with some black in it is cool. The black Dirtbags jersey was my favorite. I don't really know why.


Girlfriend: Yes. I've been dating the same girl for about 2 years. We are in alot of the same classes at Fike and she is an athlete (soccer and tennis). We compete for grades and get along pretty good. At least until I make a higher grade than she does!



My number: When I was 11 years old, I liked a girl who was 12 and about 6 inches taller than I was. She was a very good softball player and she wore # 3 so of course I had to be # 3 too. As expected, she dumped me after about a month, but I kept the # 3!



Family: My father is Bentley Massey Sr. and my mother is Barbara Massey. I have one sister, Grayson Massey, who is a sophomore and cheerleader at Fike. You have probably seen my dad at games before. He's a great person but turns into another person when I'm on the mound. There are some wild things that come out of his mouth during the game. Let's just say, women and children need to sit somewhere else!



Stretchy knows: His mom loves to take pictures of all the players at his games. Bentley has a record of 18-10. He is ranked 7th in a class of 325. He enjoys weightlifting and the Tiger Woods x-box game.

 

What a great personality! I bet he's more fun to be around than his dad...and his dad is a lot of fun.

I know that will make Robert Woodard feel good that his examples are noted. He's a great player to emulate.

Good luck this year, Bentley. I hope I get a chance to see you pitch this year

 

Great interview

by a fine young man. I have no doubt that you will be successfull not only this HS season but at the next level as well. I look forward to following you this season and I wish you all the luck in the world.

 

Bentley Massey......

I enjoyed watching him pitch this past fall. He made it look easy to stay below the knees with sick movement. Young man looks effortless on the hill!
I look forward to more great things from this young man. I enjoyed getting to talk to his dad, a very nice man. Good Luck!

 

Good to his word

I admire the fact that when the Dirtbags offered him a spot he turned it down to honor his commitment to the Cubs. And it all worked out the way he wanted. He later played for the Dirtbags. I like a kid that honors his commitments. I've noticed not everyone does that in Showcase, and other things for that matter.

 

I have become good friends with the Massey clan over the last few years. Bentley Sr. and I share a common makeup as pitcher's dads, so we feel each other's pain quite often. Just like the Allmans, I throw the Masseys into the, "Good People" category. Bentley jr. is one the best pitchers in the NEW 6 conference, and one that no one looks forward to facing. He has a bright future in baseball, and whatever he chooses to pursue as a career.