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Pitching was a big reason why the inaugural season for Western Nevada College's baseball team was a big success, and Banks had much to do with that. The Wildcats finished 37-18 overall, with a Scenic West Athletic Conference Championship and a Top 20 ranking in the National Junior College Athletic Association's final poll. During the 2006 season, Wildcats pitchers held their opponents to a .222 batting average while compiling a 3.03 overall team earned run average. WNC pitchers allowed the fewest runs in the conference with 163, tied for second in fewest home runs allowed with seven, and walked the second fewest batters, 153. Coach Banks' biggest strength is his ability to increase his pitchers' velocity. During the teams' first season ten pitchers toed the rubber for the Wildcats, seven of whom touched the magical number of 90 mph on the radar gun (only one had done so before joining the program). The 2007 season saw more of Banks' expertise propel the teams' hurlers. Justin Garcia touched 92 mph in his second to last start which earned him a professional contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Garcia came to Western Nevada a very accomplished and polished pitcher who consistently worked in the low 80's. Perhaps even more impressive was his work with left-handed pitcher Cole Rohrbough who lit up the gun to the tune of 94 mph which earned him a $728,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves. Rohrbough had entered the Western Nevada program 22 months earlier with a top velocity of 84 mph. Left-handed pitcher TJ Wohlever was another who benefited greatly from his work with Coach Banks. Wohlever topped out at 93 mph on the radar gun as winning pitcher in the Western District Championship game against Central Arizona. That performance earned TJ a spot in the draft and a contract in professional baseball. Fall 2007 saw more of Coach Banks' amazing work with the Western Nevada's pitchers. James Nygren of Klamath Falls, Ore., entered the program un-drafted and un-recruited by NCAA Division I programs with his velocity in the 83-86 mph range. After nine weeks of hard work, James bumped 95 mph on the radar gun, earned a scholarship to the two-time defending national champions Oregon State University and saw his draft stock rocket up into the top 220 draft-eligible players in 2008 according to Perfect Game. Other pitchers on the Western Nevada staff have seen similar gains in their velocity under Coach Banks' watchful eye. The 2008 season was no different than the previous two and ended with three more Wildcats pitchers being drafted. Kyle Farrell, a freshman RHP from Salem, Ore., was an un-drafted player entering the program. As of June 2008, Kyle is a member of the Atlanta Braves organization after he was drafted in the nine round and signed for a pre-arranged fifth round slot-bonus of $150,000. Jose Barajas is set to pitch in the minor leagues this summer, signing with the Baltimore Orioles after being drafted in the 26th round. Freshman left-handed pitcher Josh Moody was also drafted by the Atlanta Braves but is expected to return for another season with the Wildcats after being chosen in the 29th round. Former Wildcat Stephen Sauer of Arizona State University was drafted in the 10th round by the Chicago White Sox and will sign following his team's trip the College World Series. Banks was one of the first ten coaches recognized by the National Pitching Association. He is a Reno native and graduate of Wooster High School where he lettered in basketball and baseball. Upon graduation, Banks went to work in the construction industry and in 1983, he and his wife started the Dennis Banks Construction Company. "Bingo" Banks' past and current success in business is due to his outstanding interpersonal skills and his love for life. These qualities have also served him well in coaching. In 1998, Banks and local area scout Wally Walker started the WB Baseball School. Already, WB baseball clients have inked scholarships to universities such as Stanford, Miami, Arizona State, Long Beach State, Louisiana State, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Nevada, St. Mary's, San Diego State, Nevada, Las Vegas; Oregon State; and Arizona. In addition to WB baseball school's success moving players into the collegiate ranks, it has also excelled in the major league's annual June draft. In 2001, client Billy Paganetti declined potential offers to be drafted in the first round to attend Stanford. In 2002, Kevin Jepsen was drafted and signed in the second round by the Anaheim Angels. In 2003, Steve Lerud was drafted and signed in the third round by the Pittsburg Pirates. In 2004, Jake McGee was drafted and signed in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 2005, Jake Rasner was drafted and signed in the seventh round by the Texas Rangers. In 2006, Kyle Smit was drafted and signed in the fifth round by Los Angeles Dodgers. 2007 saw Cole Rohrbough sign for $728,000 or what amounts to first round money. In total, six of the last seven drafts have seen Banks-coached pitchers sign for top five round signing bonuses. In addition to Coach Banks' work with high school standout pitchers from almost all of the area high school teams, many Division I and professional pitchers seek his tutelage during the off-season. During the past few winters, Banks has worked with Pat Flurry of the Florida Marlins, Darrell Rasner of the New York Yankees, Mateo Miramontes of the New York Mets, McGee, Jepsen, and others. Dennis has been married to the former Susan Trounday for 28 years. Dennis and Susan have two sons, Garrett and Davis. |
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