Mase fielding a groundball during the 2018 Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament

When 2019 SS/OF Anthony Mase went on his recent visit Davidson University in Davidson, North Carolina, he quickly felt the team chemistry, the winning atmosphere and the top-notch academics that surround the school and team. That feeling turned to pure elation knowing that soon he’ll be the next athlete to enter campus with hopes to continue the winning tradition for the Wildcats baseball program.

“They are a team that wins and we all like to win,” Anthony said.

One of the main factors that came into play, Anthony said, was the quality of the education, something that Davidson could offer. He also noted the way he was treated by the coaching staff.

“Coach Taylor and Coach Munger were very nice and supportive of me in my process and their team is a real team. The big difference I experienced is that they aren’t a group of individuals, but a team. They convinced me that this was the school where I belong.”

Mase has been an incredible student and outstanding athlete in Baseball Factory’s Exclusive College Recruiting Program, and the Los Angeles, California native, who wants to study business, environmental studies and political science at Davidson and currently holds a GPA of 3.89, knew that education was a critical step in not only his journey, but for all his peers.

“Everyone should absolutely strive to find the best academic school that they can, and if you want to get it done on the field – which you do – you’re also required to get it done in the classroom. We can’t lose sight of that. Very few individuals will go to the draft out of this level.”

On the field, Mase has been a decorated athlete in the Factory program, starting with his first event – an Interactive Video Program session – in Ontario, CA back in 2013. Since then, Mase has participated in 20 events, ranging from Baseball Factory’s Spring Training in Arizona to multiple Arizona Fall Classics to showcase events such as Baseball Factory’s National Texas and the Under Armour Southwest Championships. This coming January, his time culminates in Arizona, selected for the second consecutive year as an Under Armour Pre-Season All-American.

Playing in such a wide variety of events with the Factory always allowed Anthony to find the right event during the time he needed it, according to John Mase, Anthony’s father.

“The main difference between the Factory and other organizations is their wide breadth of available events. If you are looking for instruction, you can attend one of their instructional events. If you are looking for top-level tournament play in front of college coaches, they have it. They have events for all levels of players whether you are just getting into the college search, or you’re an MLB Draft pick. The boys being able to stay together in a different location for several days allowed him to make friends from all over the country.”

It was the detail of instruction, Anthony mentions, that helped shape his abilities.

“The intense work and quality of instruction by the Factory staff helped me, as did the constant feedback and improvements which refined my game above and beyond what my school and club teams could provide.”

“They treat the student-athletes as young professional ballplayers, something that is necessary in building their character,” John said. “The quality and caliber of the coaches are outstanding and we believed that he was learning from the best.”

Anthony at his signing day with Davidson.

Due to being located on the west coast and with the majority of schools that interested Anthony being on the east coast, the Mase family made the decision to get Anthony into Baseball Factory’s Exclusive program, which provides families a powerful combination of knowledge, focusing on academics and athletics that works to find the correct match. With the help of Executive Director of College Recruiting, Dan Mooney, Anthony worked hard to get educated on finding the right balance of academic and athletic fit.

“The Mase family has been a pleasure to work with since day one,” Mooney said. “Anthony and his parents put the time into finding the best possible athletic and academic fit and they are reaping the rewards with him committing to play at Davidson.”

Combining his work on the field and the expertise delivered by the exclusive staff in helping to navigate the tricky waters of college recruiting, made life easier for Anthony. He raised his measurable numbers across the board, most recently running a 6.65 60-yard dash, throwing 88 across the infield and recording a 95 mph exit velocity with the bat. When it came to the classroom, Mooney said a good education was the driving force when working with the family.

“Anthony put as much time into his studies as he did getting better between the lines,” Mooney said. “His high GPA, ACT and course rigor allowed him to go after the best academic schools in the country.”

“Having an education is a necessity to play at the next level and to be able to hold onto for the rest of our lives, even after we hang up our cleats,” Anthony said. “I was always interested in a great academic school and Dan never let me lose sight of that. We planned my entire recruiting path around that fact and Dan couldn’t have been more supportive.”

“He is honest and tells us the realities, not just what we want to hear,” John said. “His knowledge of the college coaches and years of experience with them provided insight and connections with the schools we were interested in.”

“He was always available to pick up the phone when we needed help; something that put us at ease many times,” said Cynthia Mase, Anthony’s mom. “He gave us the extra personal touch to help us continue with the process until we found the best match. Often while others would press us to settle, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t stop until we were happy with the outcome. We have the utmost respect for Dan Mooney.”

Mooney has seen Anthony’s growth on and off the field, adding an intangible you cannot teach.

“Anthony was one of my favorite players to work with. Putting aside his athletic ability, he is as good a person as ballplayer. Coaches are always looking for talented players, but with Anthony you get the 6^th tool – character.”

Anthony said he’s learned some valuable life lessons from his time in the Factory program that he will carry with him to the next level and beyond.

“The Factory taught me to lead by example. The baseball lessons they provided me, set me up to be a leader, but the way they taught me to hold myself in the classroom and throughout life are what led to my successes off the field as well. They taught me to carry myself, as an adult, with pride. They also taught me the value of the intangibles. Your ability and talent can take you far, but the way that you carry yourself – work ethic as well as respect for others – can take you further.”