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Denise Davis
 Denise
Davis, the founder of Planet Fastpitch, LLC, graduated from Rutgers University
in 1994 with a B.S. in Exercise Science and Sport Management. Upon completion
of her undergraduate degree, Denise went on to receive a Masters in Business
Administration from the University of Rhode Island in 1996. Denise began her
college career in 1989 at Brown University and upon transfer in 1992, became a
scholarship athlete for Rutgers University. At Rutgers, Denise earned Atlantic
10 All-Conference, Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference and All-Northeast Region
Honors. During this time, Denise captained the Scarlet Knights to the 1994
Atlantic 10 Championship and ultimately the NCAA Regional tournament. In
addition to her collegiate career, Davis played for the Topton VIP’s, a high
level Pennsylvania based women’s team. At the 1993 Women’s Major Fastpitch
Nationals, Davis earned First Team All-American Honors. With this distinction,
Davis was invited to attend the USA National Team Camp and first ever Olympic
Team Trials.
After completion
of her collegiate career, Davis served as the assistant coach at the University
of Rhode Island from 1994 to 1999 and as the pitching consultant for Boston
University, Bridgewater State College, Bryant University, and United States
Coast Guard Academy. Denise is currently the camp coordinator for the Elaine
Sortino Softball School at The University of Massachusetts. Davis also acts as
a private coach for several professional and Olympic pitchers.
Denise recently
won an award given by the Small Business Association (SBA) for the 2007 Small
Business Person of the Year. Denise is a speaker at the World
Softball Coaches Convention and also endorses On Deck Sports, The Jennie Finch
Powerline Pitching Mat, Radar Pitching Trainer, RevFire and Right View Pro. Planet Fastpitch has been a thriving business
entity since 1997 as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Planet Fastpitch was a lifelong dream of Denise Davis. With the
help of her dog, Nike, and the kindness and financial generosity of The Simonsen
Family, Planet Fastpitch opened in 1997.
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Kate Roberts
 A
graduate from Fairfield University in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in marketing
from the Dolan School of Business. During her four years at Fairfield, most of
Roberts' innings were spent as a pitcher with some additional time at first
base. Fairfield finished second in their MAAC Conference during her junior year
where Kate contributed with the second best ERA of 2.06. Roberts closed out her
college career with a shutout of Manhattan College.
Roberts' hometown is Woonsocket, RI where she was a pitcher and graduate of
Mount Saint Charles Academy. Kate’s dream was to play Division 1 softball. She
committed herself to that goal both academically and athletically. Her loyalty,
attention to detail and commitment to herself and others is one of her greatest
assets that she brings to PFP. She is a team player who craves knowledge and
improvement and who continually strives to make her game, and now her coaching,
better each day. Roberts was recently named to the 2007 NFCA All America
Scholar Athlete. Kate is one of Denise's “Originals”. This is a group of
selected few who were Denise’s first students as she began her coaching career
during college. Kate has been a very big part of the PFP family since she was 8
years old. |
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Kristi Stefanoni
 A 2006 graduate from the University
of Massachusetts with a degree in Psychology Kristi Stefanoni was one of two
captains for Elaine Sortino in her senior campaign. Said to be the most steady
middle infielder of her career she has started just about every game at second
base the past three seasons while one of the most disciplined players at the
plate. She has great range in the field and has a career fielding percentage of
.950 in nearly 500 chances. The native of Columbus, New Jersey has scored 75
runs in her career while compiling a .350 on-base percentage. She has dropped
down 24 sacrifice bunts, stolen 26 bases and successfully advanced runners
almost 50 percent of the time in her career. Kristi had 14 career doubles, two
triples, one home run and 27 RBI as well as 11 multi-hit and five multi-RBI
games in her career. Always hardworking, she displays a great love of the game
and came to the ballpark every day ready to improve.
Kristi instructs in a
semi-private or group format only. |
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Erin Fuoroli
 Erin is a 2007 Graduate of Keene State College in Keene,
NH with a Bachelor's degree in General Science Middle School Education and
specialization in Biology. Completing her student teaching in December 2007 and
after a semester of volunteering with her alma mater’s softball team, Erin
brings great experience to PFP.
Entering her fourth year of college play as a pitcher and right fielder, Erin
was voted Team Captain as a senior. During Erin’s tenure, the Keene State
College Team experienced four successful post-season years making numerous trips
to the conference championships, ECAC’s, and the NCAA Championships.
Fuoroli’s career stat: 51 games started, 10 shut outs, 304 innings pitched, .221
opponents batting avg., 72 BB, 252 strike outs, 36-10 record, 2 saves, 1.77
career ERA. Awards: 2006 and 2007 All Little East Conference and 2007
All-American in Strength and Conditioning.
Erin was chosen to be a member of the 2007 Who's Who in American Colleges and
Universities. She also pitched for the United States Athletes International
team in the summer of 2006 and 2007 competing in Peru and Holland.
Erin has been a
student of Planet Fastpitch since 1998. Native of Warwick, Rhode Island, Erin
has spent most of her softball career working hard to develop her skills at
PFP. She is a Planet Fastpitch Alumna and is dedicated to the sport and to the
players and is a big part of our family. |
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Debbie Parker
 Debbie Parker joined the Planet Fastpitch staff in 2004. With an undergraduate
degree in Business Administration from the Community College of Rhode Island,
Debbie has assumed a managerial role at Planet Fastpitch. Her background as a
database manager has directly benefited PFP with client scheduling and
appointment management. Debbie’s work ethic and commitment to providing the best
service to all of our PFP family is invaluable. Debbie is also an active
softball coach. She was a head softball coach in the Bellingham Recreational
League for 8 years and currently serves as an assistant coach in the Twin Valley
League in Massachusetts.
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Ashley Crawford
 Ashley
is a Senior at Clark University majoring in Biology. She joined the Planet
Fastpitch team in January 2006. Ashley handles the customer service aspect of
PFP including scheduling lessons and daily financials. She is also the
registration coordinator for the Elaine Sortino Softball School at UMass. Ashley
is a key player in the atmosphere and successful operations of PFP. Most
importantly, she was Nike’s personal assistant and is now Bruwin’s official
hugger and chaser. |
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Courtney Parker
Courtney Parker is a sophomore at Merrimack College majoring in Business
Management. She has been a part of the PFP family since 2002 and is a graduate
of the PFP Varsity School. Courtney has been a Junior Instructor for four years.
She is a 2009 graduate of Bellingham High School where she was an active leader
as Class President and Student Council President. Courtney played for the
Bellingham High School Varsity Softball team for 3 years where she was a 3 year
Tri-Valley All Star. She also plays for the 18U Concord Raiders Gold for her
third year.
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Megan Lemire
A 2010 graduate from Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal
Justice and a certificate in Forensics. Megan Lemire was the Co-Captain of the
Saint A’s Softball Team during her senior year. During her four years at Saint
Anselm College, Megan primarily was a pitcher but also saw time as the
designated hitter and first baseman. She also has experience catching. In 2008,
she was named as part of the NE-10 third team all conference team as a
designated hitter, and also was a finalist for The Saint Anselm College Female
Athlete of the Year in 2008. Megan was named MVP of her team as a freshman and
sophomore, and was also a finalist for the Sportsmanship Award in 2010. Megan
finished her career at Saint Anselm College as one of the Top Ten All Time
Highest Ranked Pitchers in Wins, ERA, and Strikeouts. Lemire’s hometown is
Worcester, Massachusetts where she graduated from Saint Peter Marian, as a two
sport varsity captain and student athlete. Megan has been part of the Planet
Fastpitch community since she was 12 years old, and for the past two years has
been the assistant coach for the Concord Raiders 18u Blue showcase team. Megan’s
younger sister Bridget will be attending UMASS Amherst in the fall of 2011.
Megan represents the character and the passion of PFP. We are so happy that
another one of our proud alumnae is returning to PFP to give back to the game
that has given so much.
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Tracy A. Turczynski
A 1999 graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications
with a concentration in Public Relations. During her four years at Boston
University, Tracy served twice as the captain of the Terriers softball team. She
spent a majority of her playing career stationed behind home plate as a catcher.
Tracy was the backstop of BU Hall of Fame pitcher Audrey West, combining to be
one of the top rated NCAA pitcher/catcher combo in 1996 with an 0.38era and 10.6
strikeouts per game. She gained America East honors as a catcher in 1997 and a
utility player in 1998 along with being named to
the America East All-Tournament team in 1997. Tracy finished her career among
BU's all time leaders in Homeruns, Triples, RBI and batting average.
Tracy's hometown is Gardner MA where she was a three-sport athlete. Her dream
was to become the first Division 1 softball player to ever come out of Gardner
HS. She was a two-time Telegram and Gazette all-star along with a three-time
Sentinel and Enterprise all-Star. Tracy was inducted into the GHS Hall of Fame
in 2005 as one of the youngest athletes to enter the HOF. Tracy spent three
summers as a member of the Worcester Polar Crush Softball team. During her time
as a member of the Crush, the team qualified for 3 ASA and NSA National
Tournaments, won 2 New England Regional championships, and won 2 Mass State
Championships.
Tracy continued to give back to younger athletes after completing her collegiate
softball career. She was the Head coach of the GHS Girls Ice Hockey team from
2002-2004. She also served as the assistant coach of the Fitchburg State College
Falcons in 2002 during which they won the programs only league championship and
qualified for the NCAA III Tournament.
Recently, Tracy concentrated her efforts into becoming one of the top sales
professionals in Worcester County working for Enterprise Cleaning Corporation.
Tracy is currently employed as a Safety Consultant for Safety Trainers of
Worcester MA. She is an active member/coach of the Marlboro Women's Modified
softball league and South Shore Women's Ice Hockey league as a member of the
Shamrocks.
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Brandice
Balschmiter
The 6-1 right-hander finished her career at or near the top of the UMass record
books in almost every pitching category. Her single-season record 34 wins in
2009 gave her 126 in her career, against just 33 losses. Her win total is the
most in UMass history and ranks ninth in NCAA history. She also became just the
26th player in NCAA history to eclipse the 1,200-strikeout mark in a career,
doing so in the Atlantic 10 Championship. Her 1,218 strikeouts are second to
only Danielle Henderson in UMass history. Her 1,089 innings pitched are the most
of any pitcher in school history. In 2009, Balschmiter was named a NFCA
All-American and was taken with the fifth overall pick of the National Pro
Fastpitch draft by the Chicago Bandits. The Newark, N.Y. native was named
Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year for a record fourth time, while also earning her
fourth-straight A-10 Championship Most Outstanding Player, A-10 All-Conference
First Team, NFCA All-Region First Team honors, and Easton All-American honors.
Brandice is also USA Softball National Team member, winning a gold medal in the
2009 Pan American Games. |
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Anna
Kelley
Anna Kelley is a Senior at King Philip High School in MA. She is the three year
starting 3rd Base Player for 2010 Massachusetts State Champions. She plays
travel ball for the Rhode Island Thunder Elite at 3B and SS. With a .391 batting
average and a .678 slugging percentage, Anna is a very disciplined hitter and a
skilled fielder and can convey these principles and drills to her students. Anna
has been a member of the PFP family for 7 years and is a leader in the PFP
Community. She is verbally committed to attending The University of
Massachusetts Amherst as a student-athlete in the Fall of 2011.
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Bridget Lemire
Bridget Lemire is a senior at St. Peter Marian High School in Worcester, MA.
Last year for the Guardians, as their starting pitcher, Lemire went 18-2 with a
0.95 ERA and 155 strikeouts. Co- captain as a Junior, Bridget batted .466 and
hit 8 home runs. She was named to the CMC all-star team for the second year and
to the Telegram and Gazette’s Super Team. Bridget was also selected as a CMC
all-star for the Guardian’s field hockey team. She plays travel ball for the
Concord Raiders Gold as a pitcher and 1st baseman. Bridget is verbally committed
to The University of Massachusetts Amherst as a student-athlete in the Fall of
2011. Bridget is a PFP Varsity School athlete, has incredible work ethic and has
been a part of the PFP family for 9 years.
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Andrea Smith
Andrea Smith is a Senior
at Milford High School in Milford MA. She has a 4.14 GPA and is ranked 3rd out of 256 in her class.
She is the starting pitcher for the Scarlet Hawks. Last year she had 137 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.11.
Andrea also batted third and had an average of .416 with 8 double, 3 triples, and a homerun.
The Lady Hawks went 20-2 last season, winning their league. She plays summer and fall ball for the
New England Phoenix Gold. Andrea has been a member of the PFP family for 8 years and is a leader
in the PFP Varsity School. She is verbally committed to attending C.W. Post University as a student-athlete
in the Fall of 2010.
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Olympic Consultants |
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Danielle
Henderson
 Danielle
Henderson was a member of the gold medal-winning 2000 U.S.
Olympic softball team. As one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in NCAA
history, she rewrote the UMass record book in her four seasons in the circle. A
three-time All-America selection, Henderson was a four-time All-Atlantic 10
selection and a four-time A-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. During the
summer of that year, she competed as part of the U.S. National Team that
captured the gold medal at the Pan American Games and the Canada Cup. The holder
of 25 school records, she finished her career second all-time on the NCAA’s
strikeout list with 1,343 in her four-year career. In 1999, Henderson set a new
NCAA record for consecutive scoreless innings, stretching out 105 scoreless
frames. In 2001, she was recognized for her accomplishments by becoming the
first player in UMass softball history to have her jersey retired. Henderson
joins the Riptide in an off-season trade with the Arizona Heat, after posting an
8-4 record in 2004. (bio courtesy of New England Riptide)
Danielle (aka “Harry”) and her dog, Cali, have been a part of the Planet
Fastpitch coaching staff since 2003. Harry now resides in Long Island,
NY, but PFP is fortunate to have her train players on a part time basis. |
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Kaila Holtz, M.Sc.; 2004 Olympian
 Kaila is a
familiar face at Planet Fastpitch as she spent many of her Pre-Olympic
preparation hours training with Denise. She brings a unique perspective to the
PFP coaching staff with both a wealth of international exposure and NCAA Div. 1
experience. Under NFCA Hall of Fame Coach Elaine Sortino at the University of
Massachusetts, Kaila was an assistant coach from 2003-2006. Before coaching, she
was a four-year starter going 75-25 with a 1.40 ERA on the mound. Her 75 career
victories rank fourth all-time in school history while her ERA is the ninth
lowest. She threw 92 complete games, including 35 shutouts, five no-hitters and
one perfect game. She was a first team Academic All-American, two-time Atlantic
10 Pitcher of the Year, three-time NFCA All Region selection, three-time A-10
All-Tournament team member, and MVP of the 2002 A-10 Championship. Kaila also
excelled in the classroom; she was named to the Dean's List, the A-10
Commissioner's Honor Roll and won the UMass Alumni Scholar Award and Atlantic-10
and NCAA post-graduate scholarships.
Internationally, Kaila represented Canada at competitions around the world for
six seasons (2001-2006). She competed in the ISF World Championships, won a
silver medal at Pan American Games in 2003 and placed 5th at the 2004 summer
Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Kaila has been a guest coach at the University of Alabama, UNLV, West Coast
Softball Academy, the North Vancouver Softball Association and has written
several articles in online coaching journals. She recently earned her Master's
degree from UMass in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise Physiology. In
addition to pitching and hitting instruction, Kaila specializes in teaching and
implementing high performance softball training and nutrition strategies. Kaila
plans on attending medical school in the Fall of 2009 and pursuing a career in
preventative medicine.
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Nike Davis
 Nike
Davis was the co-founder of Planet Fastpitch. He worked tirelessly upon the
company’s inception in 1997 to greet people as they came into his PFP home.
Bringing smiles to people of all ages, Nike provided pet therapy and comedic
relief as he paraded around the building. He was instrumental in nightly
softball mitt pick up and return to the front counter. Nike was notably the best
coach at PFP. He chose students to train that always performed perfectly under
his direction. Upon arrival at PFP, Nike’s students would pet and talk to him
initially, then follow his lead to the cookie jar. But we couldn’t let his sweet
face fool us. If there was a stuffed animal or a Dunkin’ Donuts bag near, it was
no surprise when they mysteriously disappeared. He loved toys and could
recognize a DD bag a mile away! Nike was an inspiration to us all. His spirit
kept him alive during his last few years through multiple life-saving surgeries.
Nike taught us to face challenges with will, determination and a smile. The
wings of victory were on his heels! In loving memory of Nike. We love you and
miss you.
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Bruwin Davis
 Bio Coming Soon!
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Stella Roberts
 Bio Coming Soon!
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