West Ridge ready to roll

WEST JORDAN — Most coaches spend their time working toward building a solid "program" in whatever sport they're coaching.

That's something West Ridge baseball coach Dave Brock wouldn't mind being able to do. It's just that it's impossible to actually build any sports programs at West Ridge Academy.

Male adolescents typically stay at West Ridge, formerly known as the Utah Boys' Ranch, anywhere from eight to 13 months. Because of that, its 1A baseball team must start from scratch each fall, and Brock, in his first year at the academy, must assemble his team with whatever components he can find.

"We try to evaluate their abilities," Brock said. "We can't build a program based three to four years from now."

Brock took over as coach last spring for Jack Ballard, who became an athletic director at Wasatch Academy. Based on their initial success in Region 17, it looks as if Brock's team might be a state contender.

That's the goal, anyway, for the Eagles.

"I think if our team can keep improving," said Brock, "I don't see any reason why we can't beat anyone."

To be successful, West Ridge will rely heavily on catcher Anthony Turnbull and pitcher Wade Whitely. Both players are interchangable, and Brock said he thought his battery might be the best in 1A.

But regardless of how West Ridge does this season and beyond, just being able to play makes the program a success for many of its players.

The 130-student academy deals primarily with troubled youths, and Brock said West Ridge is mostly an early intervention-type program. Boys from all over the country wind up at the West Jordan facility.

"The type of issues these kids have — they have to balance that out here," Brock said.

The Academy hopes students participating on the baseball team will learn skills that translate to other areas.

"This is our small oasis," Brock said while gazing around West Ridge's baseball diamond. "Take what you learn (from baseball) and be a leader (in the classroom)."

Attempting to do all of that can sometimes be a challenge for Brock. He's been helped by having his brother, Wayne, at his side.

"If these boys see you get impatient," said Brock, "it rubs off on them."

REGION 17 BASEBALL GLANCE