Instructors

Jeff Barkley Sr is a former major league pitcher with the Cleveland Indians. He grew up in Hickory and attended Hickory High School where he was an All-Conference player. Played for Hickory Post 48 from 1976-1978 where he played middle infield, center field, and pitched. Jeff attended the Citadel on a baseball scholarship making All-Southern Conference in 1981 and 1982. He was drafted in the 13th round in the 1982 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians and made it to the majors in 1984 and 1985. Jeff also played AAA for the Phillies, Rangers, and Padres.

Jeff was head baseball coach for United Faith Christian Academy in 2007. He was also pitching coach for South Mecklengburg High school in 2008 and 2009. In 2008-2009 he coached Pineville Post 337 Sr. Legion. In the summer of 2011 Jeff was the pitching coach for the SCBL champion Pineville Pioneers.

Jeff along with his brother Matt Barkley, are co-founders of the Barkley Baseball School since 1988.

Matt Barkley is a graduate of Hickory High School. Upon graduation from high school, Matt received a scholarship to play baseball at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. During his senior year at The Citadel, Matt had the privilege of being a player/assistant coach under the legendary baseball coach Chal Port.

After college, Matt became a middle school physical education teacher before beginning his career as a State Farm Insurance Agent.

Matt is in his 36th year as the director of Barkley Baseball School. He has worked with thousands of baseball and softball players ranging from 5 years of age to the college athlete. He has been a head baseball coach for 38 teams in area youth baseball leagues as well as an assistant coach for 9 baseball teams.

Matt’s greatest passion is to teach young players how to maximize their skills thru hard work, drills, practice and to include Christ in everything they do - especially baseball. He draws on his experiences as a high school athlete, a college athlete and as a parent. Matt, his wife Karen attend Soma Church in Hickory, NC.

Mike Mackie has been an instructor with Barkley Baseball School for 35 yrs. Mike is a retired physical education teacher at Northview Middle School. He also served as the head football coach, head basketball coach and head baseball coach, as well as athletic director for Northview. He was the head JV baseball coach at Hickory High School for 5 yrs. Mike also served as an assistant coach for the Hickory Post 48 Legion B team for 2 yrs. Retired from teaching and coaching, Mike is currently the area representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Mike and his wife, Dreama, live in Hickory.

Wes Barkley played baseball his freshman year in High School at Quantico High School in Virginia where he earned all-conference honors. He played his Sophomore through Senior years at Hickory High School. He played summer baseball for Hickory Post 48 Legion. Wes earned an academic and athletic scholarship to play baseball at Gardner Webb University. He played in the Division II College World Series as a Senior and that team still holds the school record for most wins in a season. Wes has also served as a head coach for American Legion baseball, as well as an assistant coach for the St. Stephens JV baseball team. Wes has coached various little league and travel teams. Wes and his wife, Natalie, have three children in the Catawba County School systems.

Issac Harrow has been an instructor at Barkley Baseball School for many years. He attended BBS camp when he was a young athlete and since then has accomplished many accolades which include: Setting records in baseball at Appalachian State University, and having the opportunity to play professionally. Currently, Isaac owns and operates a baseball school called "The Way" Baseball School, in Indian Trail, NC This school is operated similar to Barkley Baseball School. Below you will see his many accomplishments:

Career and Accomplishments

High School

• Freshman Year- Varsity Offensive MVP (Fred T. Foard)
• All Conference 3 years at Hickory High(Sophomore-Senior)
• Junior Year- Team MVP (Avg .464, 5 HR)
• Senior Year- All-State, All-Region, Charlotte Observer All-Piedmont (Avg .407, 6HR, 28 RBI)
• Hickory Post 48 American Legion Baseball (5 Years)
• 2006 (After College Freshman Year) American Legion Area IV Player of the Year (Avg .455, 5 HR)
• Recruited for College baseball by Appalachian State, NC State, West Point, Western Carolina, Elon, Gardner-Webb and others.

College

• Signed with Appalachian State University
• Injured Freshman Year
• Sophomore (Avg .342, 7HR, 22 2b, 56 RBI)
• Junior (Avg .327, 7HR, 18 2b, 60 RBI)
• Senior- 3rd Team All-American, 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-State, 2nd Team All-Conference 3rd baseman, Team MVP, Team Captain, (Avg .422, 12 HR, 23 2b, 6 3b, 75 RBI)
• Finished Senior Year Regular Season Top 20 in Nation in 8 offensive categories; Avg. (6th), Doubles (Tie 6th), Triples (Tie 5th), RBIs (Tie 7th), Total Bases (Tie 10th), Hits (19th), Slugging Percentage (17th), On Base Percentage (16th)
• Set 10 School Records Senior Year; 7 Career, 3 Single Season

Career Records

• Hits (260), Doubles (65), RBIs (201), Total Bases (421), Runs Scored (165), Games Played (199), At Bats (750)

Single Season Records

• RBIs (75), Triples (6), Total Bases (163)
• Contacted by 15 MLB teams
• Received calls from New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Professional

• 24th Round Pick in 2009 MLB Draft by New York Yankees as a 2nd baseman
• 2009- Played for Gulf Coast Yankees of the Gulf Coast League in Tampa, Fl.
• Hit a game-winning 2-run HR in first professional game with the Yankees
• Committed 3 errors the whole season at 2nd base
• 2010- New York Yankees Spring Training

Todd Teague is a Hickory native and a 1989 graduate of Hickory High School. He received a scholarship to Concord University in Athens, WV as a catcher. After a career ending injury, Todd served as a student assistant coach for his senior year. Todd teaches Health and Physical Education at Grandview Middle School in Hickory where he serves as head baseball coach as well as head football coach and Athletic Director. He served as the head coach for the Hickory Post 48 Junior Legion team for three seasons. Todd lives in the Bethlehem community with his wife Christie, daughter Katelyn, and son Jacob.

Jeff Barkley Jr is a former professional baseball player with the St Louis Cardinals organization and a former college pitcher for Pfeiffer University. He has been an instructor at BBS for over 20 years. Below is a career record and list of accomplishments:

Career and Accomplishments

High School

• Played American Legion baseball all 4 years

Freshman Year

• Varsity 1st team All-Conference
• Pitched a no-hitter

Sophomore Year

• Varsity 1st team All-Conference
• Varsity MVP

Senior Year

• Jack sink Tournament MVP (1-0 as pitcher, .467 Batting average with 1 HR)

College

• Pfeiffer University Pitcher
• Pineville Pioneers (SCBL) 2011 Champions
• Batting Average .312
• Pitching Record 1-1
• Starter his junior year and closer his senior year
• Senior year: 2.05 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 30.2 innings of work and was ranked 2nd in the conference with 6 saves on the season. 2nd in conference in appearances as well.

Professional

• Signed with the St Louis Cardinals in January 2014 as a free agent.
• 2014 Appalachian league champions

Nate Barkley has been an instructor at BBS for over 10 years. He attended Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory NC where he played baseball. He is a former catcher and outfielder. Nate has also played with Pineville Post 337 Junior Legion team. He graduated from Gardner Webb University and is an Eagle scout for troup 256 in Charlotte NC. Currently Nate serves in the United States Coast Guard stationed in Oregon.

Daniel Barkley began assisting as a coach at the age of 14. He has been a camp instructor now for over 14 years. Daniel attended St. Stephens High School in Hickory, NC. Daniel was a pitcher, a catcher and played infield. Daniel graduated from Gardner Webb University and works for the Hickory Crawdads, as Director of Operations and Special Events.

Gabe Barkley began assisting as a coach, at the age of 14. He has been an instructor now for over 11 years. Gabe attended Alexander Central High School and played baseball all four years of high school. Gabe attended The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He graduated and received his Masters of Religon degree from Liberty University. Gabe and his wife, Anahla, reside in Kernersville, NC.

Josh began working and learning how to teach baseball at an early age. He went on to play 1B and Pitcher at St Stephens High School where he earned such honors as All Conference. His Sr year he went on to bat well over 300 while also holding the 2nd lowest ERA in their conference. He was recruited by 4 colleges, 3 of which wanted him to attend as a 2 way player. He was offered an athletic scholarship at both of the 4 year colleges that recruited him. Out of High School he decided to sign with Catawba Valley Community College. Josh decided to hang up his cleats and is now working toward his college degree online while working full time at Dick's sporting goods as the Team Sports lead. He continues to work at our Camps and Clinics while also doing private lessons with young athletes.