DK COACHES IN ACTION

The DK Staff knows what it takes to become a world-class ballplayer.  Our staff of professional players, college and minor league coaches, and MLB front office personnel is happy to assist you. The DK Staff knows what it takes to become a world-class ballplayer and also understand the importance of athletes learning from every coach who enters their lives.  Our dedicated, passionate training staff, including the internationally renowned Parisi Speed School staff has training programs to help achieve all of your athletic goals.   

Our staff's benchmark of knowledge ensures you will have a first class learning experience every time your athlete steps in our facility, no matter who the instructor.

More importantly, every DK Academy instructor shares in the belief that an exceptional work ethic and positive attitude combined with the highest level of professional instruction will facilitate self confidence in every player’s on-field and off-field abilities.

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 rock-solid work ethic coupled with possessing great character is what motivates him daily 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 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, Oct 2004 - Dec 2007
• USA Baseball Director, New England for North Atlantic NTIS from Nov 2011 – Oct 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 in1993
• Appeared in 2006 ESPN Miniseries, "The Bronx is Burning"
• Played in ESPN Classic's 1940's era vintage game in Birmingham, AL in 2005
• Mike lives in Berlin, CT  with his wife and daughter

• Chicago Cubs 10th round selection in 1999  Draft
• Spent 7 seasons in the Cubs and Phillies minor league organizations
• Played as high as AAA level for the Toronto Blue Jays
• 2005 Member, Torrington Twisters Hall of Fame
• Florida State League All-Star, Home Run Derby Champion and FSL leader in HR and RBI in 2001
• NECBL All-Star and 10th player award recipient
• NE Player of the Year, 1999, All-New England Selection, 1998, 99, First Team All American, SS, 1999
• Runner-up, Gatorade State of Connecticut HS Baseball Player of Year
• Jim once hit a home run with a broken tree branch in a men's league game
• Jim resides in Bristol, CT with his wife and 2 sons

•  Graduate of Newbury College in Brookline, MA  and attended UCONN Avery Point prior to Newbury
• Currently enrolled SNHU for his Masters of Business in Athletic Administration
• Conard High School, West Hartford;  Freshman Baseball Coach, 2018-Present
• All Academic All-conference team, All Conference Catcher, Team MVP, All-NECC First Team at Newbury College
• Starting Catcher and NJCAA World Series Runner up 2009-10; NJCAA World Series 2010-11, All Conference while at UCONN Avery Point
• Dave lives in West Hartford, CT with his fiancée

• 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 53 strikeouts over the course of 64 and 2/3 innings.
• Brandon was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 18th round of the 2013 amateur draft making 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

• Nick is currently General Manager for the Bristol Blues of the NECBL and is also Pitching Coach at Div. II Post University in Waterbury, CT. 
• Nick is a graduate of ECSU, where he pitched primarily out of the bullpen as a late innings reliever and closer. 
• His cumulative college stats are quite impressive, having appeared in 71 games, compiling 140 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 3.67 
• Nick was a member of the Bristol Blues as a player in 2018, and moved on to bench coach in 2019 following his graduation from ECSU.
• He and his wife reside in Wolcott, CT 

• 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

• Originally from Bakersfield, CA and Graduated from Stockdale High School
• 2 year starting pitcher at Bakersfield College 2001-2002
• AA, Liberal Arts, Bakersfield College, 2002
• 2 year starting pitcher at San Francisco State University 2003-2004
• Assistant Coach, San Francisco State University 2005-2006
• Pitching Coach, Stockdale High School 2007-2008
• 2007 Northern California State Champion Coach at Stockdale High School
• Signed Professionally with the Nashua Pride, Canadian American League 2007-2008
• Pitcher, 2007 Canadian American League Champion Nashua Pride
• Signed Professionally with Bridgeport Bluefish, Atlantic League 2008
• Lance has been a Parisi Speed School Sports Performance coach since 2008 and has trained hundreds of college and pro athletes in multiple sports during his time with DK and Parisi

• Graduated from University of Connecticut with a bachelor of sciences degree with a major in sports management
• Baseball Operations 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 starting catcher, and served as captain senior year
• Played 1 year at the University of Connecticut as a catcher
• President of UCONN club baseball team played where he played for 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 in Southington, CT

• Catcher and 1B  that's been training with Diamond Kings and NE Knights since age 7
• 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
• "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

• Head Coach, NE Knights College Showcase Team 
• 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