Hirtensteiner leads Oaks Christian baseball program

Rick Hirtensteiner is what they call a lifer in the baseball community.

He grew up playing prep baseball as an outfielder at Buena High School in Ventura. Then he settled into a four-year collegiate career at Pepperdine University.

A lifetime of experience has led him to the helm of the Oaks Christian baseball program. Hirtensteiner is the sixth skipper in program history.

“I know I come from the collegiate ranks, but this job is the same in that it’s still about developing young men,” Hirtensteiner said. “When you put the focus on Christ, academics, and strong athletic programs you’ve got everything you need to build up these athletes.”

Hirtensteiner would know what development for the next level looks like. The former Major League Baseball prospect was drafted out of high school, but he opted not to sign. Again, he was drafted after his junior season, but elected to play his senior season at Pepperdine. After his senior season, he was drafted by the California Angels and spent six seasons in the minor leagues for multiple organizations. He reached as high as AAA.

After his playing career ended, his coaching career began when connections with the coaching staff at Lamar University in Texas reached out about a graduate-assistant opportunity. While there, he completed his MBA.

“I always knew I would enjoy coaching I just wasn’t sure if I would get into coaching or travel into the business world,” Hirtensteiner said. “Getting an opportunity to get a degree while I figured things out just made the most sense.”

After completing his time at Lamar University, he then returned to Pepperdine as an assistant. He then spent time at the University of San Diego before his last 16 years at Pepperdine. He spent seven years as an assistant coach and the previous nine seasons as the head coach.

 “God just kept opening doors for coaching, so I just kept walking through them,” Hirtensteiner said.

Coach Hirty, as he’s affectionally known by his players, walked through the next door God opened when he was appointed as Oaks Christian baseball coach.

“As I went through the interview process, I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be coaching,” Hirtensteiner said. “Our kids are going to work hard and compete at a high level.”

Oaks Christian Head of Athletics Dr. Brad Cook said that after casting a wide net to fill the position, Hirtensteiner quickly rose to the top of the candidate list.

“It was a thorough process to find our new head coach and we found the right person to lead our student-athletes and our baseball program,” Cook said. “I’m excited to have coach Hirtensteiner on board and look forward to seeing what he’s going to do, not just for this program, but for our school as a whole.”

Hirtensteiner brings approximately 29 years of coaching experience. In addition to his collegiate experience, Hirtensteiner coached in the Cape Cod Baseball League shortly after playing professionally with the Angels, Marlins, and Expos organizations.

“It’s an added bonus that he’s coming from the collegiate level, but it certainly wasn’t a prerequisite,” Cooks said. “He can relate to these student-athletes, and he can help them get to where they want to go; in baseball and in life.”

Hirtensteiner and his wife live in Agoura Hills where they raise their five children.