LANCASTER, Pa. - Lancaster Bible College and the Lancaster Bible College Athletic Department are pleased to announce Ryan MacFarlane has been named the 19th Head Baseball Coach in program history. MacFarlane replaces Caleb Abney, who stepped down following the 2023 season.
MacFarlane served as an assistant coach on last year's team, joining the staff in August of 2022. He worked primarily with pitchers during the 2023 campaign and also served as the recruiting coordinator. MacFarlane helped the Chargers' pitching staff improve from the sixth-best staff in 2022 to the third-best staff in 2023, as Lancaster Bible reached the United East Playoffs for the second consecutive season.
MacFarlane said last season not only introduced him and his family to Lancaster Bible, but also gave him a great foundation moving forward.
"Last year provided an ideal on-ramp because of the relationships and trust that were built with the guys," MacFarlane explained. "To me, that's foundational in order to have success. Last season, I learned the rhythms of Lancaster Bible and NCAA Division III athletics that will enable me to form a system that works for these student-athletes. Coach Abney also gave us a lot of tools to help shape our offense, which I plan to continue to utilize."
Prior to Lancaster Bible, MacFarlane coached and worked for Athletes in Action, something he is still involved with. He served at both Michigan State and Virginia Tech, as well as at the home base for AIA in Xenia, Ohio. Before his work career, MacFarlane pitched at NCAA Division I Michigan State and pitched professionally for the Midwest Sliders of the Frontier League during the 2008 season.
MacFarlane said his baseball and leadership experiences over the past 15 years have prepared him for the challenge of being a collegiate head coach.
"Over the last 15 years or so since my playing days in college, my desire has been to develop and encourage men to be who God has made them to be. Having worked with Athletes in Action at several different universities, mentoring athletes in all sports, I got a chance to connect more as a chaplain," MacFarlane said. I began to realize that my passion to compete and be on the field day in and out had never really left. Four years ago, I started looking for opportunities to coach and found my time in adult leagues and summer collegiate leagues confirmed my thoughts on coaching. I really desired to be able to do it full-time and having the opportunity last year at Lancaster Bible was great. I hoped eventually I would want to be a head coach, but didn't know how that might work out. One thing I've always loved is helping create systems and structures for teams to thrive within, so I'm really looking forward to that element and hoping it leads to wins on the field and in life."
One of the structures MacFarlane hopes to build upon is the family aspect of the Lancaster Bible Baseball program that has been greatly strengthened over the past 15 years.
"My hope is Lancaster Bible Baseball would be a family that exemplifies Christ on and off the field," MacFarlane said. "I want our guys to develop as leaders here on campus, so when the go out from here they will be the friends, husbands, fathers, and workers God has called them to be. I want our team to compete for a conference championship every year, as we learn how our effort can be a worship to the Lord."
With one year already under his belt as part of the staff, MacFarlane believes the Chargers are on the cusp of big things because of the trust that has been developed within the program.
"I think relationships and trust are key," MacFarlane said. "Trust takes time to build, and my hope is that we can continue to mesh as a team quickly this fall. The college years go by fast, so I want them to make the most of the time. We have a great group of guys returning who have the opportunity to take this program to the next level."
MacFarlane will begin head coaching duties immediately and said he appreciates the support he has received from so many people over the years.
"I'm very grateful for the chance to lead this team," MacFarlane said. "I want to thank Lancaster Bible Director of Athletics Rod Baughman, the athletics staff, and baseball student-athletes who have believed in me. I'm also appreciative of my colleagues at Athletes in Action who have believed in me and encouraged me for so many years, as they have been God's grace to me. And to my biggest fans, my family and wife, Beth, I can't say thank you enough for all of your support."
Lancaster Bible will conduct fall practice throughout September and early October as the Chargers prepare for the 2024 season, which gets underway with practices beginning in late January.