Crown College Athletics

Coach Steven Ridings enters his first year at the helm of the Polars Baseball program.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Coaching Mission:

• “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.”

Education:

• Messiah University – Bachelors in Sport Management [2016]
• Messiah University – Master’s in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership [2024]

Experience:

• Crown College, Head Baseball Coach [2026-Present]
• Columbia International University, Head Assistant Baseball Coach [2025-2026]
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Head Assistant Baseball Coach [2024-2025]
• Messiah University, Assistant Baseball Coach [2021-2024]

Personal Information:

• He is married to his amazing wife Julia Ridings.
• He is father to 2 girls, Hallie and Karissa.

Career Record (at Crown):
Year                 Record             UMAC             UMAC Finish               Postseason
2026-27