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Our Coaching Staff

Fastpitch Nation has assembled the best possible team of instructors that are highly experienced in Fastpitch softball and ready to work with your children to help them achieve their softball and baseball ambitions.

Softball

Tom EastmanTom Eastman is the Co-owner of Fastpitch Nation and Director of Player Development. Coach Eastman has over 30 years of fastpitch softball experience as a player, coach, clinician and instructor. Coach Eastman has played on 5 state championship teams and two regional championship teams at the highest levels of men's fastpitch softball. Over the past 13 years, Coach Eastman has provided individual instruction, clinics, and camps to multiple local towns, and travel softball teams. Many of his pitching students have gone on to pitch in college at all levels. With an student roster of over 100 pitchers, and having provided instruction or clinics for well over 800 pitchers in the last 14 years, Coach Eastman is recognized as one of Connecticut's premier pitching coaches.

Walt AllenWalt Allen has been coaching softball and baseball for more than 30 years. Coach Allen Graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. degrees and CT state teaching certifications in both Education and Physical Education. As a player, Coach Allen's primary position was centerfield and after turning down two minor league playing offers decided to play for UCONN. He then played 4 years of independent professional baseball and fastpitch softball. He has coached at every level of youth sports all over CT, provided hitting and skills instruction with Loomis Chaffee School since 2003 and has provided individual skills instruction for both baseball and softball since 2003.

Vicki Malone

Vicki Malone is a 1990 graduate of the University of Connecticut where she was an All-American Shortstop with a career fielding average of .930 and career batting average of .362. While at UCONN she was a 4-time All New-England Player and 3-time All Northeast Player. Vicki is also a 1996 inductee into the CT Softball Hall of Fame. Vicki also coaches Travel Softball and lead her 12U team to a 2009 National title. Vicki specializes in hitting, slapping and fielding instruction.

 

Michelle Caouette

Michelle Caouette, is a 2006 graduate of the University of Connecticut where she earned a degree in kinesiology with a focus in coaching and administration. Michelle was an outstanding pitcher for the Huskies. In her  4 years, she complied three no-hitters, Big East player honorable mention honors, and was an academic all-star for two years. Michelle was also a co-captain her senior year. During her high school years, Michelle threw two perfect games, received All-American honors, and was selected as Pitcher of the Year for the state of New York. From 2007 to 2009 Michelle was Asst. Coach at Springfield College, where she helped lead them to two NEWMAC championships.

Danielle Spiro

Danielle Spiro, is a 2009 graduate of Springfield College with a degree in Applied Exercise Science and is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer. Danielle played competitive softball for 11 years. She helped Springfield College to its first ever NEWMAC championship in 2007 and back-to-back post season NEWMAC championships/NCAA D-III appearances in 2008/2009. Danielle's accolades include being named Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region 2nd team, JSR 1st team All-American, and 2-time NEWMAC All-Conference 2nd team.

 

Katie McClelland

Katie McClelland is a 2008 graduate of Medaille College in Buffalo, NY, with a degree in Sports Management.  She joins us as Assistant Manager of Fastpitch Nation. While at Medaille Katie played softball for the Division III Mavericks starting at First Base, Left Field for more than 2 seasons before injury ended her softball career.  She played 4 years at Oswego, NY High School, a perennial powerhouse in Central NY. As a member of the Oswego Pride 14U & 16U travel teams, they took the NYS Class B State Championship in 2001. Katie is currently JV Head Softball Coach at Lyman Hall HS in Wallingforf, CT.

 

Melissa SorokaMelissa Soroka has played competitive softball for 14 years. Melissa was a 4-year starter and 2-year captain of the Moravian College Lady Greyhound Varsity Softball Team, which, during her senior year, received their first-ever bid to the NCAA Division III World Series where they finished national runner-up. That same year, Melissa was named to the First Team NFCA All-Region and First Team Commonwealth All-Conference, and she was on the World Series All-Tournament Team.  Melissa also helps coach CT Tradition's 14U Team and is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Currently, Melissa works full-time for the ESF Dream Camp Foundation as Director of After-school and Summer Camp Programs.

Emily AllenEmily Allen is a 2006 graduate of Colby College, where she played Division III softball for the Mules. Prior to college competition, she played travel fastpitch softball with the 16U Connecticut Eliminators and 18U Connecticut Mirage teams. A captain and four-year high school softball starter at The Loomis Chaffee School, Emily specialized in outfield play. Emily is the Head Coach of the Cheshire Academy softball team. Emily also spent five summers at Campus Kids, CT. She directed a variety of residential camp events, including softball skills clinics and tournaments.

 

Jim KirchJim Kirch is an educator, school principal and coach with nearly 30 years of experience in softball, baseball and basketball. He played varsity baseball at the State University of New York and competitive Fastpitch softball for more than 10 years. He has been an associate pitching coach with Coach Eastman since 2005 and works with many of the FPN pitchers doing tandem lessons with Coach Eastman and private instruction. Coach Kirch catches for many of the FPN pitchers and manages FPN's Trios program. Coack Kirch also teaches catching in FPN's baseball program.

 

Baseball

Mark MorawskiMark Morawski a former professional baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles organization, brings an incredible amount of experience and knowledge to Fastpitch Nation. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1986 as a shortstop and was in line behind Cal Ripken to make the big club. A knee injury ended his pro baseball career. After rehab he went on to play professional fastpitch softball for the Tampa Bay Smokers in 1995 and in 1996 won the World Championships. Prior to his pro career, Coach Morawski was an all-state shortstop and quarteback for Bloomfield High School and went to Florida on a baseball scholarship and in his senior year made All-Conference and all South.  He was a coach at Eckerd College and also ran the Tampa Bay Rays summer baseball camps.  He became the Head baseball coach for IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida and worked with current Major Leaguers such as Carlos Quintin, Mark Teahan, Freddie Bynum, Aaron Hill, Jed Lowrie, Mike Fontenot, Conor Jackson and Pat Burrell, among others.

Tom NicholsonTom Nicholson joins us as our baseball pitching instructor. Tom is a former Division 1 pitcher (both starter and reliever) for Siena College in upsate New York. Additionally, Tom played semi-prosssional baseball. Tom has been instructing youth baseball and teaching pitching and baseball skills to boys for more than 10 years. He has organized and run camps and clinics and provided individual lessons to players in Arizona, New Jersey and now Connectiucut.

 

 

Walt AllenWalt Allen has been coaching baseball for more than 30 years. Coach Allen Graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. degrees and CT state teaching certifications in both Education and Physical Education. As a player, Coach Allen's primary position was centerfield and after turning down two minor league playing offers decided to play for UCONN. He then played 4 years of independent professional baseball and fastpitch softball. He has coached at every level of youth sports all over CT, provided hitting and skills instruction.

 

 

Other

Mlke AlmeidaMike Almeida is one of the top professional umpires in CT. His experience includes: 20 years High School softball umpire.; 15 years NCAA softball umpire (Div I, II, and III).; Tournament umpire with national experience.; Current President of the CT High School Umpire's Association; Umpire assigner for Northern CT Spring, Summer, and Fall softball leagues (all age groups).

 

 


Gino CaroGino Caro, owner of Fast Lane Speed Training Program is a National Academy of Sports Medicine-CPT and USA Track and Field Certified Coach. Gino has been a personal trainer and speed coach since 2003.  He has worked with many top athletes in Connecticut including: Sara Plourde- UMass- Bristol Eastern; Trinity College Baseball- Division III National Champions. Gino’s training experience highlights a combination of fitness training and sports performance.  Gino has a strong athletic background and is very involved with USA Track and Field. He specializes in designing customize programs for individuals and teams to enhance: Acceleration and first step quickness; Lateral speed, Agility; Speed strength; Flexibility; Top Speed; Closing speed.