St. Bonifacius, Minn. – Crown College Athletics is excited to announce Steven Ridings as the next Head Baseball Coach for the Polars.
Steven most recently served as Head Assistant Coach at Columbia International University. He brings valuable experience as a former NCAA DIII and professional player as well as coaching at three different institutions.
"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named the Head Baseball Coach at Crown College. I want to thank President Andrew Denton and Vice President of Athletics Andy Lambert for this amazing opportunity. My vision is to establish a Christ-centered program that develops Christian character while training athletic excellence. My desire is for Crown Baseball to collectively develop an identity that glorifies our Lord on and off the field, while pursuing daily excellence in the sport of baseball," said Ridings.
He was the Head Assistant Coach at Columbia International University in the 2025-26 year, the Head Assistant Coach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in the 2024-25, and an Assistant Coach at Messiah University from 2021 through 2024.
"We are excited to welcome Steven to the Polars family," said Vice President of Athletics, Andy Lambert. "He brings extensive baseball experience and a deep commitment to developing a Boldly Christian and Academically Excellent baseball program at Crown."
He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2016 and reached Triple-A as a right handed pitcher. He followed that playing experience with four seasons in the Frontier League with the Gateway Grizzlies and Southern Illinois Miners.
"My wife and I are extremely excited to join the Crown College community. We truly believe the Lord has led us here, and we look forward to serving this community, investing in student-athletes, and further building Christ's Kingdom through baseball," said Ridings.
Ridings played collegiate baseball at Messiah University while earning a bachelor's degree in Sport Management (2016). He was named the 2016 Conference Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region, and was the #3 prospect in Division III baseball. He was a two-time first team all-conference selection along with one second team all-conference honor. Ridings was inducted into the Annapolis Area Christian High School Hall of Fame in 2019 and was named to the Valley Baseball League All Decade First Team (2010-2019). Ridings also earned his masters in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from Messiah University in 2024.
He is married to his wife Julia and has two children, Hallie and Karissa.
