Our Instructors

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.

Fastpitch Softball

Tom 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 15 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. Coach Eastman is recognized as one of Connecticut's premier pitching coaches.

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.

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 led her 12U team to a 2009 National title. Vicki is currently the Head Varsity Softball Coach at Granby High School. Vicki specializes in hitting, slapping and fielding instruction.

Mark Morawski a former professional baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles organization and Men's Professional Fastpitch player with the Tampa Bay Smokers, 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 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 quarterback 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.

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.

Jillian Ortega, is a 2009 graduate of the UCONN where she played shortstop for the Huskies. Jillian was a 3-time All Big East performer and NFCA All-Region First Team selection in 2007. She was also a 2-time NFCA Academic All-American. IN 2010 she is a graduate assistant softball coach at UCONN. In the summer of 2009, Jillian was an assistant coach for the New Jersey Inferno Gold. Jillian earned a degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Coaching and Sport Administration and a minor in Business Entrepreneurship.

Kerry Harrelle, is a 2000 graduate of Central Connecticut State University, where she earned her BS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. Kerry was a 2-sport athlete at CCSU, competing in both softball & soccer. She was a 4 year softball starter at Central starting at second base then moving to the outfield, she also was named captain her senior year for the Lady Blue Devils. In 2001, Kerry was a part of the ASA 23u Fastpitch National Championship team playing with the Connecticut Classics. After her college-playing career she was the assistant coach at the Division 1 University of Hartford for 4 years. Currently she is a certified ASA, NFHS, and Pony umpire. Kerry specializes in hitting, infield and outfield field work.

 Beth Taylor, is a 2001 graduate of Colgate University where she was a four-year pitcher for the NCAA-Division 1 Raiders. During her sophomore year, Beth helped Colgate win the Patriot League Championship and advance to the NCAA tournament.  During her senior year, Beth was named captain of the Raiders' team, threw Colgate's first ever no-hitter, and received several Patriot League Pitcher of the Week honors. During her career, Beth set a number of Colgate pitching records. Originally from Stamford, CT, Beth was a four-year, three-sport varsity athlete at Stamford High School. Beth also was the recipient of the Alyson Rioux Award, given annually to the city's most outstanding scholar-athlete.

Jim 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. Coacd Kirch also teaches catching in FPN's baseball program.

Danielle DelPonte, is a 2009 graduate of the UCONN where she was a catcher  for the Huskies. Currently Danielle is a graduate assistant softball coach at Springfield College.

Baseball

Mark Morawski a former professional baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles organization and Men's Professional Fastpitch player with the Tmpa Bay Smokers, 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 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.

Bob Nenna, joins us as a baseball hitting, pitching and fielding instructor. Coach Nenna is a former Division 1 player at the University of Hartford where he had .315 career average and hit .375 in his senior year and was named 1st team all New England. After playing in college he coached in High School and American Legion and then joined Mitchell College as a hitting coach. In 1995, he came back to the University of Hartford as hitting and pitching coach and in 1997 was named Head Coach. Coach Nenna is an experienced clinician and instructor having worked in many camps and clinics with college and professional baseball teams around CT. He is currently the Executive Director of the West Hartford YMCA.

Tom Nicholson joins us as a baseball pitching instructor. Tom is a former Division 1 pitcher (both starter and reliever) for Siena College in upstate New York. Additionally, Tom played semi-professional 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 Connecticut.

Jim 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. Coach Kirch also teaches catching in FPN's baseball program.

Strength and Conditioning

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.

Speed and Agility

Gino 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.

Umpire-in-Chief

Mike 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.; Former President of the CT High School Umpire's Association; CT USSSA Umpire-in-Chief; Umpire assigner for Northern CT Spring, Summer, and Fall softball leagues (all age groups).