For more than 40 years, Roy Uyeno has been dedicated to coaching baseball, shaping young athletes and building a strong culture of discipline, teamwork, and skill development. His journey as a coach began when his own children took up the sport, and since then, he has never looked back. Now in his third year as the head coach of the Pahrump Valley High School baseball team, Uyeno is continuing his mission to develop a winning program while fostering a love for the game among his players.
Uyeno’s journey with Pahrump Valley High School began in 2010 when he joined the coaching staff under Rich Lauver. He then worked with Coach Brian Hayes, who eventually passed the torch to Uyeno when he decided to semi-retire. In his time with the Trojans, Uyeno has witnessed the growth and evolution of the program, culminating in a historic state championship in 2023—the first in the program’s 55-year history. That victory was a testament to the dedication, skill, and hard work of the players and coaching staff, and it continues to serve as a source of motivation as they prepare for the upcoming season.
At the core of Uyeno’s coaching philosophy is a relentless emphasis on fundamentals, particularly defense. He believes that routine plays are the backbone of any successful team. “We need to play defense. If we don’t make the routine plays, the pitcher has to throw more pitches, and that can wear a team down,” Uyeno explained. This focus on fundamentals extends to every aspect of the game, from fielding to pitching and hitting. “Every level—pros, college—they all work on the basics. That’s how we improve,” he said. His training sessions are structured around repetitive drills that reinforce the skills necessary to succeed at a high level.
To ensure his players receive top-tier coaching, Uyeno has assembled a strong staff of assistants, each specializing in different areas. The coaching team includes Thom Walker, Lou Banuelos, Tom Metscher, Stephen Whitney, and Ray Montanez. Together, they cover every facet of the game—pitching, catching, infield, outfield, and hitting. Their dynamic approach allows for detailed, individualized instruction, ensuring that each athlete gets the attention they need to grow. Uyeno credits his assistants for the program’s success, recognizing that their experience and knowledge are crucial to player development. “I listen to my coaches. They all have opinions, and we come together to make decisions. I have the final say, but I rely on them a lot,” he noted.
As the team gears up for the new season, expectations are high. The Trojans are coming off a strong year, and although they lost seven talented seniors who moved on to play college baseball, Uyeno remains optimistic. “That was a special group of seniors, but we have a lot of juniors and sophomores stepping up. Our expectations are still really high,” he said. Leading the charge this season will be returning standouts Aidyn Cratty, Andrew Zurn, and Kayne Horibe – whom Uyeno describes as “a stud athlete.” With a talented mix of seasoned players and rising underclassmen, the Trojans are setting their sights on another championship run.
One of the biggest challenges this season, according to Uyeno, is fostering team unity. “Every year, you get different groups. Some players think they’re the best, but we need to play as a team,” he emphasized. He believes that the teams that embrace a selfless, team-first mentality are the ones that go far. “When we play as a team, that’s when we win championships.”
The upcoming season will be packed with opportunities for the Trojans to test their skills. Their schedule includes back-to-back tournaments right at the start of the season. They’ll first travel to Needles, California, followed by a trip to River Valley, Arizona. Additionally, the junior varsity team has been invited to compete in the prestigious Bishop Gorman tournament—a testament to the program’s growing reputation. “They called me and said, ‘Coach, we heard good things about Pahrump,’” Uyeno said with pride.
With a solid foundation of coaching, a committed group of athletes, and a season full of challenging matchups, Uyeno is confident about his team’s potential. His message to the players is simple: “Enjoy yourselves. Play as a team. If we work together, we’ll be fine.”
As February 27th approaches, the Pahrump Valley High School baseball team is preparing to embark on what could be another historic season. With Uyeno at the helm, backed by a strong coaching staff and a talented roster, the Trojans have their eyes set on making another deep playoff run—and perhaps bringing home another championship.
2 Comments
Any plans for an Alumni baseball game this year?
Good luck, boys!