DK COACHES IN ACTION

Mike's passion is helping see players increase their love and skill sets of baseball and softball.  Helping players understanding the value of having a relentless work ethic coupled with possessing great character is what motivates him to deliver the best service possible to the baseball and softball community.

Mike has had the privilege and opportunity to have been a part of many wonderful baseball opportunities  as a player, coach, manager, and front office executive including:

• 2x presenter at the World Baseball Coaches' Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT
• Director of Player Procurement and Baseball Operations, Bridgeport Bluefish, Atlantic League
• Manager and Dir. of Baseball Operations, New Haven County Cutters, Can Am League of Professional Baseball,  2004 - 07
• USA Baseball Director, New England for North Atlantic NTIS  from 2011 – 2014
• Selected to manage 2006 Can-Am League /American Assoc All-Star Game in El Paso, TX
• Northern League All-Star Catcher, 2001, Two-time Northern League Champion w/Adirondack -Lumberjacks in 2000 and New Jersey Jackals in 2001, New Jersey Jackals 5th Anniversary All-Star Team, 2002.
• Played professionally from 1995-2001
• Asst Baseball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, Central Connecticut State University, 1995-1999
• All-ECAC Catcher at Central Connecticut State University with B.A. English
• Catcher, NECBL's Inaugural All-Star Game at Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT and NECBL inaugural 10th -Player Award Winner and All-Star Game selection, 1994
• Played against Cuban Jr National Team on CT All-Star Team at Municipal Stadium, Waterbury 
• Appeared in ESPN Baseball Miniseries, "The Bronx is Burning"
• Played in ESPN Classic's 1940's era vintage game in Birmingham, AL
• Mike lives in Berlin, CT  with his wife and daughter

• Graduated from University of Hartford: B.S. in Health Sciences (2017), Doctor of Physical Therapy (2020)
• 4-year starting middle IF at the University of Hartford from 2013-2017: SS in freshman season, 2B sophomore and junior season, LF in senior season
• Career 0.925 FLD%, Career .307 OBP%
• America East All-Academic Team in 2017
• Four-year starter at Danbury High School at SS, CF and pitcher
• Played for the Wicked softball organization out of Newtown, CT with a 0.375 batting average her senior year
• Marisa works as a Doctor of physical therapy for Advanced Physical Therapy in Bristol, CT with a sports rehab certification in specialized treatment of baseball pitchers and overhead throwing athletes

• A native of Jacksonville, Florida Brandan spent his eighth season of professional baseball in New Britain playing for the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League
• in 2018, the left-hander appeared in 67 games and posted a 431 era with 53 strikeouts over the course of 64 2/3 innings.
• Brandon was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 18th round of the 2013 amateur draft. He made his professional debut with Single A Eugene of the Northwest League the same year.
• In 160 career minor league outings, Brandon owns a 4.84 era and 162 strikeouts in 206 innings pitched
• Brandon lives in New Britain, CT with his wife and their young son.

• Long time minor league player and minor league coach with multiple organizations
• Originally drafted at age 17 by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization out of Taylor Allderdice HS in Pittsburgh, PA
• Hit a 3-run HR on the first pitch of his first major league at bat in the spring of 1983 with the Boston Red Sox
• 1-1 lifetime vs Nolan Ryan with 2 RBI’s
• Patrolled the outfield for the Bristol Red Sox during the 1980 and 1981 seasons and for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 1982 and 1983
• Coached in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization after his playing days
• Coached the Bristol American Legion team for several years in the 90’s after moving to CT
• Led the City league in hits, steals, HR’s and batting average his senior year, City league Champions in 1976
• Gene is a proud grandfather, lives in Bristol, CT with his wife and has 2 adult daughters

• From 2011 to 2015, Sam played college softball at Plymouth State University as a utility player and finished her senior season with a .368 avg
• Sam graduated from Bristol Eastern High School, played Varsity softball all 4 years and was part of the 2010 runner up state championship team.
• A veteran of travel softball since the age of 11, Sam played for teams including the CT Titans, Southington Lightning and CT Strikers.
• Her 6 years of coaching experience following her collegiate playing days include stops with the CT Titans, CT Diamond Club, and the CT Lady Knights.

• Head Softball Coach, Lewis Mills HS 2017-present
• Longtime fastpitch travel coach
• Played 6 years of minor league baseball in Sioux City, IA and Quebec City, Canada
• Played 4 years collegiately as a Hatter at Stetson University
• Former Hornet was an All State HS Baseball and Football player at East Hartford High

• Pitching Coach, St. Paul HS, Bristol
• Jarrett has been developing some of the most successful local amateur pitchers since 2004
• Pitcher, New Haven County Cutters, Nashua Pride, CAN-AM League of Professional Baseball
• Selected by Managers and Media as 2006 CAN-AM League Rookie of the year
• Career Strikeout Record Holder, U of Hartford and 4 year starting pitcher at the University of Hartford
• Played 2000 summer season for the NECBL Manchester Silkworms and led in wins
• Won the 1997 state and regional championship with Bristol American Legion and Participated in 1997 Legion World Series in Rapid City SD. finished 3rd nationally
• Voted Most Valuable Player 1999 Bristol Legion and All State selection in 1998 and 1999 at St. Paul HS
• Jarrett lives in Canton, CT with his wife, son and daughter

• Graduated from University of Connecticut with a bachelor of sciences degree with a major in sports management
• Baseball Operations Director for Cal Ripken Baseball in Aberdeen, MD as instructor, coach, and tournament official
• New York Yankees in 2011--John worked in player development and scouting with the Yankees in Tampa, FL
• 3 year letter winner at Seymour high school as starting catcher and served as captain senior year
• Played 1 year at DI University of Connecticut as a catcher
• President of UCONN club baseball team played where he played for following 3 seasons
• Lead the NCBA Division II in average, doubles, and RBI's in 2009
• Head coach, 14U team New England in USA Baseball NTIS North Atlantic Championships, 2012
• Head coach of USA Baseball NTIS 14U Capital Region Final Championship Team, 2012
• Coach of 16/17u team New England is USA Baseball NTIS North Atlantic Championship, 2012
• John lives with his wife and son in Southington, CT

• General Manager of the New England Knights Baseball Organization
• 4 year letter winner at Post University
• Owner of Zima Glove Care and www.ReliefWax.com which he started in 2020 to help those athletes battling with stress and anxiety on  the ballfield.
• Graduated with a  degree in Finance and is currently pursuing his MBA 
• Played baseball and wrestled at Berlin HS
• Catcher and 1B  that trained with Diamond Kings and NE Knights since age 7
• "Jared is a great teammate and is well respected by all of the guys in our program. He has great baseball IQ and great instincts on the field. His defense and offensive performance were major factors in our win vs AIC in 2020" - Ray Skjold, Head Baseball Coach, Post Univ

• Currently a Wallingford Police Officer
• JV baseball coach, Avon HS
• 4 year letter winner Elms College
• All time Hits and RBI leader at Elms College
• 2x New England Collegiate Conference All-Conference selection
• East Coast Athletic Conference All-Star
• Graduated with a  degree in Accounting
• Played baseball and wrestled at Berlin HS