IRVINE, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide, a collegiate wood bat summer baseball team playing in the California Collegiate League (CCL), today announced Steve Kelly joins the OC Riptide coaching staff. Kelly will handle the Riptide outfielders and coach first base for the summer 2022 season.

Kelly is entering his sixth year as an assistant coach at Foothill High School where he works with outfielders, base runners and hitters as well as handling the program’s strength and conditioning. He has spent the last five summers working to identify players for USA Baseball’s Southwest regional team and led the 11U group to a gold medal in Cary, N.C. last summer.

Steve Kelly

Steve Kelly

“Steve Kelly brings a passion and excitement for coaching base running to our team that is unmatched in my experience,” OC Riptide Head Coach Tim Brown said. “Steve will provide the opportunity for our position players to improve their skills as base runners, which is unique in summer collegiate baseball. We expect to be very aggressive running the bases. Steve’s knowledge and interest in that aspect of the game will be an important dynamic in the 2022 Riptide’s success. In addition, he will work with our outfielders and coach first base.”

Kelly played outfield at Arizona Western College and Concordia University in Irvine, twice earning Academic All-American honors. Following his playing career, he earned a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton and a PhD in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness from Arizona State University. During his graduate work, Kelly became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and served as the strength coach for the baseball and softball teams at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

“I am thrilled to be able to serve and learn alongside an amazing staff this summer,” Kelly said. “I look forward to helping our players grow as men and athletes. I’m fired up to work with this outstanding group!”

Kelly has dedicated his life to teaching and coaching, serving in various teaching positions ranging from kindergarten to college. He currently teaches Physical Education at Legacy Magnet Academy in Tustin.

OC Riptide fans can follow Steve Kelly on Twitter (@stevekellyphd).