In case you haven't noticed, the American Fork Cavemen baseball program is looking pretty sharp these days.
From the baseball field and amenities themselves to the equipment and new retro-look uniforms to the way the kids walk and play and to dedication of the coaches — everyone who follows baseball in Utah Valley agrees that the Cavemen are on the way up.
"The baseball here is just a lot of fun right now," Cavemen head coach Jarod Ingersoll said. "The kids all love baseball. They love to play it and they love to watch it. They're excited to be a part of this program and they take a lot of pride in it."
American Fork was once a baseball power. The Cavemen won three state titles in the '80s and regularly challenged for region crowns and advanced to the final rounds of the state tournament each May. The program fell on hard times about six or seven years ago, and it's been a struggle since to return to the prominence of old.
Since Ingersoll came on as head coach four years ago, however, the Cavemen baseball program has slowly, but steadily, improved. The changes are noticeable both on the field and off. The team and community has worked tirelessly to improve the playing field, outfield fence and dugouts. They've constructed a new clubhouse and scorer's booth. The team is also sporting some of the fanciest throw-back uniforms in the state, which are receiving compliments everywhere they play. The team decided on the uniforms after seeing them during a visit last summer to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
"When you look good, it makes you want to play good," Ingersoll said.
In Ingersoll's first year, he had 11 kids in his varsity program. Now he has more than double that. He used to have to twist arms to get players into the batting cages and weight room. Now they do it on their own. The community even contributed enough money to fly the team to California next week where it will compete in a big-time tournament at Cal-State Fullerton. All the signs say American Fork's depressing baseball days of a few years ago are over.
"The kids now are more committed, the parents are more committed, the community is more committed and the coaches are more committed. This used to be a baseball powerhouse school and we'd like to see it get back to that," Ingersoll said.
The changes and improvements are noticeable around Utah Valley's baseball circle.
"They've got good hitters, good pitching and they play good defense. I think their program is definitely heading in the right direction," said Timpanogos head coach Kim Nelson, who coached at American Fork for much of the school's glory days before moving on to the Timberwolves program.
Outsiders and insiders both say Ingersoll's enthusiasm and energy are big contributors to the improvements in American Fork baseball. He's a player's coach who has a genuine interest in the personal welfare of each member of his team. He's also worked hard over the past few years to become more knowledgable about the game. He assisted coaching baseball several years back at Southern Utah University, and the only way he'll leave his post at American Fork is if a college opportunity comes his way.
"I've been around baseball my whole life, and it's something I want to keep doing," he said.
On the field, the Cavemen have had little trouble the past few seasons scoring runs. They've had one of the valley's most potent offenses, but haven't been able to get over the consistent-winning hump because they've struggled to hold opposing teams down. They might turn that corner this season, however, because they have a much better pitching staff and defense.
"We have a lot more options in that area and we're a lot deeper. We've definitely got some guys who can chuck it," Ingersoll said.
Starters Taylor Mangum, Gentry Bean and Hap Holmstead make up the best Cavemen rotation in years. Holmstead might have the best control in the valley, while Mangum is one of the valley's hardest throwers. Mangum, a righty, has been hampered by a sore arm most of the season but is expected to be back full strength for American Fork's final six region games.
"He's in that category of a power pitcher and he's definitely been missed," Ingersoll said.
Senior Aaron Baddley, a junk-ball throwing right-hander, has been the stopper in relief that the Cavemen have been lacking in the past.
"He's been given more opportunities this season and he's come through for us," Ingersoll said. "He's just amazed us with what he's been doing."
Defensively, Steve Parker and Austin Haws make up a stellar left side of the infield. Outfielders T.J. Spencer, Kyle Parkinson and Colby Zimmerman are more than reliable to catch most balls hit in the air. Junior Ryan Payne has adequately filled the departure behind the plate of Shay Conder.
"We're working real hard on our defense, and we know it's a part of our game that we need to be good at if we're going to be successful," Ingersoll said.
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com