This summer, the Rochester Ridgemen have emerged as more than just a baseball squad; they are a community where sport and spirituality intersect. The team, based in New York, fields a roster of young athletes who gather not only to sharpen their pitching and hitting skills but also to deepen their Christian faith.
Faith on the Field
Each week the players attend chapel services and open their meetings with prayer. A distinctive practice called the "triple H’s" invites each member to recount a hero, a hardship and a highlight from their lives, fostering transparency and mutual support. Before every game they bow their heads together, and after the final out they extend the invitation to the opposing team to join in prayer, turning competition into a shared moment of reflection.
Assistant coach Preston Tabor notes that this environment allows athletes to discuss topics beyond the diamond. "The Ridgemen give us space to talk about life’s ups and downs," he says, emphasizing that the team’s purpose stretches far beyond wins and losses.
Players describe the squad as a brotherhood built on big dreams but without egos. They speak of friendship, mutual encouragement and the belief that baseball can be a vehicle for worship. By living out their faith through actions on the field, they aim to model integrity and humility for teammates and rivals alike.
The next home game is scheduled for July 8 at 5 p.m. at Bishop Kearney, where the Ridgemen will continue to showcase a model of sport that intertwines athletic ambition with spiritual purpose.