Basin Life

EPHRATA — There has been a Boruff in the Basin since 1905.

In March of 1905, Slatts Boruff, Randy Boruff's grandfather, homesteaded 11 miles east of Ephrata.

In 1929, Buster Boruff, Randy's dad, was born in the Ephrata hospital.

Randy, too, was born in the Ephrata hospital, in 1951.

"I guess I'm what you could call a hometown kid," Randy said with a smile. He sat back and sat forward in his chair, musing and answering with great care to the detail of his answers.

People in the Basin will probably recognize Randy most for his position as head coach of the Columbia Basin Riverdogs Senior Babe Ruth baseball team.

"I started the program in 1994," Randy said. "It wasn't the first one, you know. My dad started a team in 1968. We were called the Columbia Basin Stars back then."

Randy talks about baseball like it's in his blood, a passion that has simmered since he was a kid and grown as his participation in the sport has evolved.

"At 19 I wanted to be a professional umpire," Randy said. "I went to umpire school and did that for a few years."

Randy's love of sports extends beyond the diamond. He was a high school basketball referee and follows Washington State University and the University of Washington football programs, but baseball was the sport he had the most passion for as a kid.

"I knew after I was done playing and umping that I wanted to coach," Randy said.

"The love you have for the game of baseball is unique because baseball is unique compared to other sports. Just when you say you've seen it all, something comes up, a play or something, that you've never seen before. Maybe one like it, but not that exact play."

Randy's example of something new happening dealt with the Junior Riverdogs. In a game this summer, the team was down going up to bat in the final inning. The pitcher threw a wild pitch that hit the catcher and rolled over to the Riverdogs' batter on deck. The batter picked up the ball and was called for interference. The call removed their runner from third base and pushed the others back to first and second. The batter came up to the plate and hit into a double play to end the game for a loss.

The appreciation for new happenings is only part of Randy's love of sports. His enjoyment extends to the coaching staffs as well.

"I appreciate the good coaches in this country that run good programs — Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame, Pete Carroll at USC, Mack Brown at Texas — but John Wooden is my favorite coach. If I had to name one coach that I thought was the best coach of all time, it would be John Wooden of UCLA," Randy said.

In fact, Randy's love of sports goes so far that if he were to start from scratch, in his twenties, he'd choose a path that would lead him into a sports career.

"I would've liked to be a big time sports announcer, a play-by-play sportscaster," Randy said. "Or I would've liked to be a head football coach for a D-1 school."

As it is, when Randy isn't in the dugout, he is working one of his two other jobs — selling health and life insurance or working for Canfield and Associates in Ephrata.

"I have a passion for sales," Randy said. "Both jobs obviously have to do with a relationship with people."

Randy has worked in the "life business" for 28 years and worked with Canfield and Associates for the last 14 months.

"There is a saying that the man who dies with the most toys wins," Randy said. "I think the man who dies with the most relationships wins."

During the rare moments when Randy is not working, he is usually spending time with his wife of 27 years, Diane.

"We enjoy traveling," Randy said. "On Saturdays, or sometimes Friday nights, we golf together."

Randy also has six grown children and five grandchildren to keep him busy.

"Thanksgiving and Christmastime are my favorite times of year," Randy said. "They're when everyone is at home. My family is funny, so I enjoy having them around."

Of all the juggling Randy is very philosophical.

"John Wooden has a lot of good quotes but this one is my favorite: 'Discipline yourself so others won't have to,'" Randy said.