PORT ANGELES — Randy Steinman, whose Port Angeles softball teams reached new heights athletically and academically from 2013 to 2022, has stepped down as head coach.
Steinman led the Roughriders to a combined record of 176-41 (.811 percent) with seven Olympic League titles, three West Central District crowns, a program-best second-place finish at the 2017 Class 2A state tournament and two academic state championships in his 10 seasons in charge. At one point, Steinman’s squads won 50 consecutive Olympic League contests.
A former all-state pitcher and third baseman for Port Angeles, Steinman returned after college and initially led the Port Angeles baseball program for 10 years, compiling a 150-79 record and leading the Riders to fourth place at the 1997 AAA state championship with future Major Leaguer Jeff Ridgway.
Steinman was inducted into the Port Angeles High School Athletic Hall of Fame in August 2021.
“It was not an easy decision, but it’s the right decision,” Steinman said. “I’ve been doing it for 10 years, I coached baseball for 10 years. I’ll still watch as many games as possible because the best part is leading the kids. For the last 10 years, I’ve had the best students and athletes walking the halls at Port Angeles High School on my team.”
Steinman also referenced spending more time on the golf course to fill up his spring afternoons. But he’s not leaving the game of softball entirely.
“I’m helping with the summer [MGI Fastpitch] program three days a week, getting them ready for the high school. I’ll keep volunteering at the [Peninsula Baseball & Softball] Barn with younger kids. So I’m not leaving softball completely. I still have the passion for the game, and I’ll do my part to stay involved.”
Port Angeles Athletic Director Dwayne Johnson said Steinman “has been the standard of excellence for our PASD coaching staff … PAHS has cherished your highest standards in all areas of coaching.
“We have appreciated your work ethic and dedication for these past 30-plus years and your commitment to the character of our student athletes.”
Family atmosphere
Steinman took over the team just in time to coach his daughters Sarah and Natalie, who became the program’s all-time leading home run hitter in 2018.
“I was really fortunate at the time to get the high school job just when they hit that age,” Steinman said. “I had the privilege to spend another 2½ hours every day with my daughters.
“It was a lot of fun being able to coach them. They were very successful and made my job easier.”
The close-knit, family atmosphere cultivated by Steinman and his coaches has led to long-term relationships with his former players.
“When you become a coach, you aren’t just focused on the Xs and Os,” Steinman said. “You build trust and relationships and make sure they are successful inside and outside of the classroom and field. Now, girls I coached will come back to town and we will get caught up on what’s going on in their lives.”
And Steinman said it was the kids who drew him back to the diamond each spring.
“I had amazing student-athletes to work with,” Steinman said. “It’s the kids who keep you coaching. It really is. They don’t remember the wins and losses, it’s the journey along the way. So why not make it the best journey possible?”
That was the overriding theme to Steinman’s 2022 squad, which returned to the state tournament in Selah after COVID scuttled the entire 2020 softball campaign and limited the 2021 season to league play only.
“That was absolutely our goal as coaches last year. Those seniors missed out on two chances at district and state tournaments and we wanted to get them there to have that full experience.”
Steinman also leaves the cupboard of talent well-stocked.
Port Angeles should be in good stead this season as All-Peninsula Softball co-MVP Lily Halberg, All-Olympic League first-teamer Natalie Robinson and second-teamers Taylor Worthington and Heidi Leitz all should return.
“Absolutey, the returning corps of players is really, really strong,” Steinman said. “There’s also a couple of kids from the JV team and some freshmen will come up and contribute. The program, we never really had to rebuild it, we just reloaded, and that goes back to the coaches at all levels.
“I know they haven’t hired a coach yet, but whomever does take over, I know they’ll do a great job.”
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
