Steve Bazarnic spent nearly five decades leading the Allegany College of Maryland baseball program, which he started shortly after arriving in Cumberland in 1971. He served as the program’s first and only head coach from 1972 until his retirement in 2019, overseeing 48 seasons and helping establish Allegany as one of the most consistent and competitive programs in junior college baseball.
During his tenure, Bazarnic compiled a career coaching record of 1,469–617 (.704), ranking fourth all-time in wins among NJCAA baseball coaches. His teams won nine district championships and made nine appearances in the NJCAA World Series, giving Allegany a long-standing presence on the national stage. The Trojans’ consistent success highlighted both the stability he brought to the program and his ability to build competitive teams year after year.
Player development was a significant part of Bazarnic’s impact at Allegany. Over the course of his career, 54 of his players were selected in the MLB Draft, and several advanced to Major League Baseball. Among them were John Kruk, Stan Belinda, Steve Kline, Scott Seabol, Joe Beimel, and Scott Patterson.
Bazarnic’s contributions have been recognized by several organizations throughout his career. In 2025, he was named an inaugural recipient of the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award, which honors the most successful and influential coaches in NJCAA history. Fewer than 200 coaches representing 28 sports were nominated by their institutions for this prestigious distinction, the first award of its kind in the nearly 90-year history of the NJCAA.
Bazarnic is also a member of multiple halls of fame, having been inducted into the Maryland Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991, the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996, and the NJCAA Region XX Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000, underscoring both his longevity and his impact within the region and the association.
His influence is also visible on the Allegany College of Maryland campus. In April 2023, the college formally named its baseball facility Steve Bazarnic Field in recognition of his 48 years of service. The dedication acknowledged the central role he played in building and sustaining the program from its earliest days. His contributions at Allegany even extended beyond baseball; in addition to coaching, he taught hundreds of traditional and nontraditional students throughout his career.
Across nearly half a century, Steve Bazarnic helped shape Allegany College of Maryland baseball through consistent leadership, on-field success, and a strong record of developing players. His career remains one of the most notable in NJCAA baseball history, and the program he established continues to demonstrate the foundation he built.
