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

Michelle Caouette (Pitching), 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.

Mark Morawski (Hitting, Fielding) 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. He was a Head Asst. Coach at Eckerd College and also coached at the Tampa Bay Rays summer baseball camps.  He was the Head baseball coach for IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida and worked with current Major Leaguers such as: Jed Lowrie (Red Sox), Carlos Quentin (White Sox), Mark Teahan (White Sox), Aaron Hill (Blue Jays), Mike Fontenot (Giants), Conor Jackson (A's), Chris Carter (Mets) and Pat Burrell (Giants) among others.

Elisa Van Kirk (Hitting, Catching) Elisa is a 2010 graduate of Division 1 George Washington University and is currently a Graduate Assistant Coach at Smith College, pursuing a Masters degree in Exercise and Sport Studies. While at GW Elisa ranked 4th all-time in walks and 5th all-time in homeruns. Elisa is known as one of the finest catchers and hitters ever to come from CT where she lead Southington High School in every offensive category and to a LL state title. Elisa is an experienced coach working with hitters and catchers privately all through her college career.

Sarah Downs (Hitting, Pitching, Fielding) Sarah is a 2006 cum-laude graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University where she earned degrees in Sociology, Anthropology and Women’s Studies and Master of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Promotion from Ohio University. Sarah was a four year starter for Ohio Wesleyan splitting her time between pitching and first base. For the Bishops, Sarah was her conferences’ most intimidating power hitter and still holds the record for single season homeruns. In her senior year, Sarah was named to her All-Conference team, named the conference’s Most Valuable Player and was selected to the second team 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Softball Team.

Patricia Cipicchio (Slap Hitting, Hitting and Fielding), is a 2010 graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT with degrees in Neuroscience and Music. A four year starter in middle infield, she was an NESCAC All-Academic Team selection and captain as a senior. She ranks in the top five all-time in career homeruns and currently holds the record for complete games played for the Bantams. She is pursuing a Masters in Exercise and Sports Science at Smith College and serves as a Graduate Assistant Coach. She has also coached a fastpitch travel team in her hometown of Charlotte, NC and specializes in hitting, fielding and slapping.

 Darrin Gould (Hitting, Fielding) is both a baseball and softball hitting coach. Coach D come to us from Southern California.  He began his coaching career in 1996 as an assistant varsity coach at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, CA.  Coach D was scouted by the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants as a middle infielder where he was offered a free-agent contract with the Giants. Soon after relocating to Connecticut, he assisted a very successful freshmen baseball program at Simsbury High School from 2004-2006 and 2008. In 2007 and 2009, he was the head junior varsity baseball coach at Litchfield High School. 

Mandy Hyne (Slap hitting, bunting, outfield), is currently a graduate asistant coach at Columbis University. She was a 4-year player at Hamilton College where she has split her time in the circle and in the outfield, and spent most of her junior season as the leadoff or number 2 hitter playing left field. She was a 2010 NESCAC All-Academic selection. Mandy is a graduate of the Westminster School in Simsbury, CT, where she was an All New England selection. This season Mandy is not taking private students but will be available for camps and clinics.

Vicki Malone (Hitting, Slapping, Fielding) 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 coached 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. This season Vicki is not taking private students but will be available for camps and clinics.

Baseball

Mark Morawski (Hitting, Fielding),  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. He was a Head Asst. Coach at Eckerd College and also coached at the Tampa Bay Rays summer baseball camps.  He was the Head baseball coach for IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida and worked with current Major Leaguers such as: Jed Lowrie (Red Sox), Carlos Quentin (White Sox), Mark Teahan (White Sox), Aaron Hill (Blue Jays), Mike Fontenot (Giants), Conor Jackson (A's), Chris Carter (Mets) and Pat Burrell (Giants) among others.

Tom Nicholson (Pitching) 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.

Darrin Gould (Hitting, Fielding) joins FPN as both a baseball and softball hitting coach. Coach D is from Southern California where he played for Fullerton College.  He began his coaching career in 1996 as an assistant varsity coach at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, CA.  Coach D was scouted by the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants as a middle infielder where he was offered a free-agent contract with the Giants. Soon after relocating to Connecticut, he assisted a very successful freshmen baseball program at Simsbury High School from 2004-2006 and 2008.  In 2007 and 2009, he was the head junior varsity baseball coach at Litchfield High School. 

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; Fastpitch Nation Umpire-in-Chief; Umpire assigner for Northern CT Spring, Summer, and Fall softball leagues (all age groups).