WEATHERFORD —
Weatherford made another formidable contribution to the college baseball ranks recently, as four of WHS head coach Terry Massey’s former players signed letters-of-intent to attend and play ball at local institutions. The boys are moved in to dorms and apartments, toting cleats and gloves, and books of course, ready for a fall schedule of baseball and classes.
“I was considering going to a few different schools, but my summer-league coach advised it would be a good opportunity,” said Tyler Davis, when asked about his decision to attend Eastfield College. “I went over there [for the summer tryouts] to give it a shot. I liked the coaches very well and I have some friends going there.
“They gave me a call about a week after the tryouts, which led to more phone calls. After talking with my parents about it, I decided Eastfield was a good place to be.”
Tyler will attend with a few friends, indeed. Gathering at The Outback on Wednesday, a pair of other former WHS classmates who will be making the trek to Mesquite celebrated their signings, as well. Austin Lee and Jered Rhodes are packing bags for the move to Mesquite, and their place on the Eastfield roster.
“It is absolutely awesome to be going to a college with two of my teammates from high school,” Davis said. “And I have a real good buddy that I will be rooming with. It’s great to know you will be around guys that have your back, and know the calibre of player you are.”
Stating quite emphatically that he hates to lose, he, Austin and Jered may not be experiencing the short end on the scoreboard very often for the next couple of years. Eastfield College has won three conference titles in a row, and has a national championship title in the books for 2011.
The history of the program influenced all three of the players’ decisions.
Tyler will get some of his basic studies out of the way before declaring a major, but has leanings toward a marketing career, but also has his interest piqued in broadcasting.
Austin liked the straight-forward approach the coaches presented when he attended the summer tryouts.
“They told me up front that they don’t take on a lot of players like some other JUCOs do, so when they called back and asked me to sign with them, it was a pretty easy decision,” he said. “I was excited about getting the offer because they have a very good program over there.”
Lee’s desire is to catch on with a four-year school to continue his playing days as well as his education, and he feels like Eastfield presents a good opportunity to attain those goals. He intends to start his major plan en route to a business major.
Also excited about getting to continue friendships with former Roos at college, Austin attributes his chance to play at the next level to the Weatherford tutelage.
“I can say with confidence that getting the opportunity to play in college, and even better, at Eastfield, is because of my experience at Weatherford,” he said. “Coach Massey has been such a good coach and a great teacher [of the game].
Editor’s Note: Jered Rhodes, who also signed with Eastfield, and Jake Davis, a commit to Texas Wesleyan University, will be featured in the Weatherford Democrat sports page on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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