WNCC baseball team exceeded expectations

In an age of cynicism, we can't have too many legitimate heroes.

But who would have thought we could find them in a community college baseball team.

Nobody expected much from the Western Nevada Community College baseball team in its first year of play. Yet somehow the Wildcats finished 37-18 and won the conference regular-season title, delighting a loyal and growing base of fans.

The Wildcats' season ended Friday in the Scenic West post-season tournament, but it was still a remarkable season that contains all the ingredients for a sports tale that will be told for years to come.

Whether you're a sports fan or not, it is easy to admire the accomplishment.

According to coach D.J. Whittemore, his players accomplished all their goals this year, of which winning a championship was just one. The others were building character, doing well academically, having fun, and building relationships.

That he's been so successful at those goals should be a source of great enthusiasm for the community, because he's got his sights set on an even greater one.

Whittemore has noted the success of a similar program at Community College of Southern Nevada that produced a team that won a national title in its fourth year. He said the goal for WNCC is to win a national title in even less time.

Whether he's successful or not, one thing is for sure: local baseball fans have a lot to look forward to.