Stilwell High School’s Chase Benham
Stilwell High School junior Chase Benham brings a steady mix of competitiveness, humility and heart to the baseball diamond. An 11th grader who splits time between pitcher, third base and the outfield, Benham prides himself on staying locked in every pitch.
“The most difficult part is staying mentally focused in every play because anything can happen at any time,” he said.
That mentality starts at home. Benham said his parents are his biggest inspiration because they continually encourage him to work hard, stay humble and never give up. Those lessons show up in how he approaches the game and how he treats opponents. He calls baseball’s best unwritten rule simple: always respect the game and the people you play against.
In the classroom, Benham’s favorite subject is history because he enjoys learning about the past and how it connects to today. One of the most influential figures in his life has been his middle school coach, Coach Price, who remains a constant supporter.
“He has always believed in me and helped me grow as a player and a person,” Benham said, adding that Price still comes out to watch his high school games.
Around the team, Benham values the tight-knit chemistry in the Indians’ clubhouse.
“What I love most about my team is how close we are and how everyone supports each other like family,” he said. He points to Jaden as the most vocal teammate and Cole as the one who keeps everyone laughing.
When he steps into the batter’s box, Benham looks for a fastball, his favorite pitch to hit. Away from baseball, he stays grounded by hanging out with friends, playing guitar and spending time with his dog, Creed. Athletics, he said, has already taught him discipline, teamwork and how to handle both wins and losses — lessons he believes will carry far beyond his days at Stilwell High.
