Baseball program that is Rock solid
Article and photo by Hollen Wheeler; photo courtesy of Kelly Duman
Varsity baseball players Brayden Duman, Zach Taylor and Cade Nelson. Nelson and Taylor are heading off to play in college this summer.
The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) baseball program has stellar new facilities, outstanding teams (the varsity finished sixteenth in the state this season) and a coach who is hitting home runs.
When varsity Coach Allan Dyer was hired in 2019, he saw potential for improvements and a community wanting to play a part. In two years, he’s achieved five of his seven fundraising missions: an artificial turf field, dugout expansion, added batting cage and bullpen and a plyo-wall (a wall for pitchers to improve shoulder strength). All of the money was raised by the players and their families.
His last two goals are an indoor practice facility and grandstands. Currently, RCHS athletes and local feeder teams drive to Parker or Castle Rock for indoor training during the offseason. Dyer recognized the importance of having the teams train on their home turf while also keeping the money at RCHS. “We’re trying to get this done so everybody in this community can use and benefit from our local facilities,” said Dyer. “If we have this, kids will want to spend their time here and the $40,000 that we spend to train elsewhere can stay with the program,” he said. Youth camps and other activities are in the plans once the facility is built.
The new artificial turf is one of the many improvements to the Rock Canyon baseball program.
The players are pleased with the improvements. “Having a turf field is super nice for us as we’re able to play after horrible weather,” stated varsity infielder Brayden Duman. “And we don’t have to do a ton of field maintenance after games and practices, but more importantly, it’s so much easier to play on,” he added.
The parents are impressed as well. “I think my son has been amazed at what has been completed for our program in a short amount of time,” stated Kelly Duman, Brayden’s mom. “Coach Dyer wants to build a place where not only RCHS players build futures, but also a place where our community can be a part of something exciting,” she continued.
And it’s not just about the equipment. Three of Dyer’s seniors are headed to play in college this year. His coaching philosophy is simple, “We want to play on the last day of the season and we want good, quality, high-character kids, because those kids always find a way to come through in a clutch situation,” he said.
This is Dyer’s third coaching job, and while he respects the other two schools, he said the RCHS program is a cut above. “I live here in Castle Pines and I think what’s different about us is we are a close, tight-knit community and the kids and parents are very goal-oriented and motivated,” Dyer said. “To be able to coach in my own community, on this level and with this support, sets us apart from many schools.”
