After a coach from Charter Oak transferred to San Dimas for the 2025 softball season, he soon left, and the San Dimas softball program hired a new assistant coach, Steve Martinez, to coach the 2026 season.

San Dimas recently welcomed coach Steve, who has travel ball experience, a grit mentality for the girls to be successful, and even knows a few of the players.

Coach Steve is currently the head coach of a travel ball team called “Firecracker Martinez” 16u. he has built a reputation for developing strong athletes who understand the game beyond just the basics of playing catch. He’s bringing that same experience and energy to San Dimas High School for the 2026 season.

For some players, it isn’t new. Freshman Carlie Veas says, “Being able to go into my first year with a coach that I’m very familiar with helps me out a lot because my confidence stays the same as he’s been coaching me. He sees all my mistakes, and not only can he help me during high school practice, but when tropical practice happens, he helps me because he knows exactly what I’m doing wrong.” This mentality is exactly what San Dimas needs to start a great season.

Coach Steve has a freshman daughter who attends Claremont High School and plays softball. For many coaches, getting a coaching job at the same school as their kids would be a no-brainer, but Coach Steve does the opposite. He was offered the head coaching job at Claremont High School, and he chose to do something uncomfortable. Instead of coaching his daughter his whole life, he chose to coach a bunch of girls he didn’t even know.  He wanted to change, and he realized that sometimes it’s better not to mix being a coach with being a dad.

Coach Steve says, “As a father of all daughters, being around a team of young women comes naturally to me. Coaching doesn’t just feel like drawing up lineups or running drills. It feels personal. I coach with the same patient support and steady expectations that come from being home. For me, every player is more than just a jersey number. They’re young athletes growing into confident young women in that matter.”

Adding coach Steve to the staff gives San Dimas another opportunity for experience and growth. Travel ball is fast, demanding, and competitive, and he understands what it takes to succeed at that level, so he will now bring his knowledge to the Saints program.

He will use his knowledge to ensure that San Dimas has a cleaner defense, better communication, and a dug out that feels connected. Sometimes a new coach brings new opportunities and new standards to the team.

For San Dimas, Softball this season isn’t just about wins or losses, it’s about the growth and what you learn from the new coach. Coach Steve treats players like family, and the girls are very excited to be stepping into the year with an experienced leader and a fresh start to their season