Cordell takes over the reins at WM

Cordell takes over the reins at WM

Blue Devils tab veteran coach to return to prominence

WM School District The most experienced veteran baseball coach in Crittenden County will take over the reins of the Academies of West Memphis baseball program.

Gary Cordell, who has spent the past two seasons as head coach at West Memphis Christian, was officially hired as the new Blue Devil coach at last week's school board meeting.

'I'm really anxious to do this,' said Cordell, who has coached at just about every level of baseball in West Memphis the past 45 years from American Legion to various youth leagues. 'It's like I was telling someone earlier today, it's kind of like driving a Volkswagen and then taking over a Mercedes.'

Cordell will try and resurrect a once-proud program that has been on the short end of the won-loss ledger the last few years. The Blue Devils' last state tournament appearance was in 2012, which was also the program's last team with a winning record.

Cordell said he's had increased interest, as far as numbers, since the high school season ended a couple weeks ago.

'The other day at practice we had 38 kids and it took us three-and-a-half hours just to get through batting practice,' he added. 'On top of all that they all wanted to take extra infield afterwards.'

Cordell will lead the charges in the team's summer schedule, which begins Friday in the Marion Tournament, followed by a doubleheader at Jonesboro on May 31.

The team will play close to 25 games through the end of June.

Cordell makes no bones about his immediate goals.

'Win the conference,' said directly. 'Right now in summer ball I'm trying to learn what the kids can and can't do. We're going to focus on the basic fundamentals. Plus, we've got to get them to change their attitude concerning winning.'

By Billy Woods