Josh Ridgway - Head Coach (Murray State university 2001)

Josh Ridgway enters his first year as Head Coach of the Douglas College Baseball team. Ridgway began his coaching career in 2004 with the Richmond Chuckers (Midget AAA) and guided them to a Provincial title and a Western Canadian appearance. In 2005, he took over the White Rock Tritons, of the Premier Baseball League and guided them to an 80-57 record over the three years as head coach. During his tenure, he sent 19 players onto various collegiate programs throughout North America, coached two Canadian Junior National standouts in Kevin Atkinson and Chad Stang and saw 4th round draft pick Mitch Hodge go to the Kansas City Royals.

An NCCP Level III certified coach, Ridgway was an assistant coach on the U17 Provincial team that won silver at the Canada Cup in 2006. This past summer, he was the 3rd base coach of the French National Team that finished 5^th at the Olympic Qualifying European Championship in Barcelona, Spain.

Ridgway was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1997 and received a scholarship to Treasure Valley Community College. He finished his remaining two years at Murray State University (Div. I), and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education.

Josh and his wife Debbie have a daughter named Kya and reside in Surrey

Jeff Zeilstra - Assistant Coach

Jeff enters his first season with the Royals as an assistant coach and is eager to help build a championship baseball program. Zeilstra started his coaching career with the White Rock Tritons in 2002-2003 under Head Coach Don Archer and helped guide the team to a BCPBL Provincial Championship. After the 2003 season, Jeff was invited to Europe by MLB's International Envoy Program, which introduces the game to countries that aren't traditionally rich in baseball. Zeilstra spent 3 years in France and coached Toulouse in the French Professional League. There, he guided them to a league championship in 2005 and was then lured by the French Baseball Federation to coach the French National Team. This past summer, France competed in the Olympic Qualifying European Championship in Barcelona, Spain and as Head Coach; Jeff guided them to a 5^th place showing. In a massive tournament upset, France beat Italy 5-1 for the first time in their fifty year history of playing organized baseball.

As a player, Jeff attended Treasure Valley Community College and played under Head Coach Gary Van Tol. He went on to graduate with honors from University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics.

Jeff is single and resides in Kitsilano.

Dave Empey - Pitching Coach

Dave Empey enters his first year as pitching coach at Douglas College. Dave has been coaching in the Lower Mainland for over 20 years and brings a tremendous amount of knowledge to our pitching staff. In the mid 90's, Dave was Head Coach of the North Shore Twins for 9 years and during his tenure, had 19 players drafted by MLB teams. Ryan Dempster (currently with the Chicago Cubs), Chris Mears (9th Round by the Twins) and Simon Pond (8th round by the Indians) are just some of the players Empey has coached. After North Shore, Dave moved up to coach the Capilano College Blues of the CCBC (Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference) and won the league championship in 2002.

Dave was a former sports writer for the Vancouver Sun and has collaborated with Ryan Dempster to write a book called "Developing Pitcher's".  He resides in Port Moody.

Dave Laing - Manager

Serj Sangara - Assistant Coach

Serj Sangara enters his first year as Douglas College Baseball Assistant Coach and brings with him over 25 years of experience both playing and coaching. Serj began his playing career in Richmond, which at the time, was rich in baseball history. Stu Wilson was a major influence on his passion for the game and prompted his decision to pursue coaching as a way to work with today's youth.

Sangara, a Level II certified coach, has coached for over 18 years in Richmond and volunteers his time with many baseball organizations throughout the city. He currently is the BC Minor Midget Coordinator, Richmond City Baseball and Sports Council Board member, GM of the Richmond Chuckers Midget AAA team and founder of the DC Baseball Builders Club. His enthusiasm and love for the game has transcended through the players he currently coaches and will, no doubt, be an asset to this programs growth.

Serj currently is self-employed in the lumber wholesale business - thru Wild River Forest Products - while working with the newly formed "DC Baseball Builders Club". His sole goal is to help Douglas College Baseball reach new levels of achievements for a Jr. College, offering baseball opportunities in Canada. ...."In the end, I'm getting a chance to live my mantra, which is, I'd rather fail at something I love, than succeed at something I don't......and failure's not an option." Serj is married to Rishi of 26 years and has a daughter Aleesha (21) and son Jai (17).

Serj Sangara