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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. 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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Nike Davis
 Nike
Davis is the co-founder of Planet Fastpitch. He has worked tirelessly
since the company’s inception in 1997 to greet people as they come into his PFP
home. Bringing smiles to people of all ages, Nike provides pet therapy and
comedic relief as he parades around the building. He is instrumental in
nightly softball mitt pick up and return to the front counter. Nike is
notably the best coach at PFP. He has chosen students to train that now
perform perfectly under his direction. Upon arrival at PFP, Nike’s
students pet and talk to him initially, then follow his lead to the cookie jar.
His new trial endeavors also include a jaunt outside with his favorite clients,
followed by another cookie. But don’t let this sweet face fool you.
If you have a favorite stuffed animal or a Dunkin’ Donuts bag, you shouldn’t be
surprised if it is suddenly missing. He loves toys and can recognize a DD
bag a mile away! Nike is an inspiration to us all. His spirit kept
him alive last year through multiple life-saving surgeries. Nike can teach
us to face challenges with will, determination and a smile. The wings of
victory are on his heels! Click Nike's picture for a larger version.
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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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Betsy Ahearn
Betsy Ahearn is a graduate of Bridgewater State College with a degree in
Sociology. At Bridgewater, Betsy pitched and lead her team to four conference
championships and an appearance in the Division III College World Series in
1999. Betsy was named to the All Conference Team four times, the All Region Team
four times, and was a 2001 All American Selection. The Bridgewater Softball Team
trained at Planet Fastpitch under the guidance of Denise during Betsy’s playing
years. As an alumma of PFP, Betsy brings great experience and teaching technique
to the PFP staff. Betsy is currently working as an assistant coach at Wellesley
College as well as in their athletic department. She is also pursuing her
Master's Degree in Special Education at Assumption College in Worcester.
Betsy is a
native of Paxton, Massachusetts and a graduate of Wachusett Regional High School
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Cherra "Scooter" Wheeler
 A 2002 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Cherra “Scooter” Wheeler was
an outstanding performer for the Minutewomen as a hitter and at third base.
While at UMASS she set many hitting records, among those career homeruns (25)
and was tied for most homeruns in a single season (9). At third base, she held a
commanding presence. She also spent some time behind the plate where she caught
for fellow UMASS and Olympic stand out Danielle Henderson. Scooter was a NCAA
Regional selection 1999, 2000, and 2001 and was a four-time All-Conference
selection. In 2001 Scooter was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.
Scooter is
currently a volunteer assistant coach for Bryant University. In her first season
coaching, the Bulldogs had their most successful season ever, winning the
Northeast 10 Conference Championship for the 1st time in school history. As the
hitting coach, the Bulldogs were ranked 1st in the conference in batting
average, slugging percentage on on-base percentage breaking numerous school
records.
A native
of Kingsburg, California, Scooter Wheeler now lives in Providence, RI. She
joined the PFP Staff in 2004.
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Megan Biddle
Planet Fastpitch instructor Megan Biddle was a four-year
starting pitcher at the University of Connecticut. Megan was a member of the
2001 Big East Championship and NCAA Regional qualifier that posted a 36-23
record. She earned All-Conference honors as a sophomore in 1999 and again as
senior. During her UConn career, Biddle won 35 games for the Huskies and pitched
392 innings with 304 strikeouts. She also finished with a .303 career average
and was tied for fifth all time in home runs with 12. Her career strikeouts also
rank in the top ten for UConn. A member of the Connecticut Classics, who were
part of the Brakettes organization from 2001-03, Biddle won two games in the 23
& Under ASA National Championship event, which was staged at DeLuca Field, to
earn First-Team All-America laurels. In 11 innings, she allowed only four hits
and three walks and she struck out 26 batters in an overpowering performance as
the Classics captured the title. Biddle was also a member of the 2004 Women's
ASA National Champion Stratford Brakettes where she was 16-0 with a .33 ERA as
well as a member of the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut developmental team in the
pro league. Megan is currently a teacher in the North Andover School District
and has been an active coach at Planet Fastpitch since 2001.
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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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Jessica Merchant
Jessica Merchant joins the Planet
Fastpitch coaching staff in addition to being named the new assistant coach for
Head Coach Elaine Sortino at UMass. Merchant comes to UMass from the University
of Michigan where she was a four-year letter winner and led the Wolverines to
the 2005 national championship. A two-time NFCA All-America shortstop, Merchant
is Michigan's all-time home run (46) leader and she shares the single-season
mark with Samantha Findlay at 21. Merchant is also third all-time in games
started (252) and fourth in both career RBI (155) and doubles (48). Last year,
she was a member of the USA Softball Elite Team that won the Intercontinental
Cup title. Hitting .500 with a home run and eight RBI, she was chosen the
event's MVP. Merchant, a 2005 Michigan graduate with a degree in sports
management and communication, served as a volunteer coach for her alma mater
this past season. She recently just finished her second season with the
Connecticut Brakettes of the National Pro Fastpitch League and advanced to the
championship game. She was also just invited to the Women's National Team
selection camp scheduled for September 18-22 in Chula Vista, Calif.
Jessica instructs in a
semi-private or group format only. |
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Kate Roberts
Kate Roberts graduated 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. She knows
what it means to be a PFP VIP.
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Lisa Strom
Lisa Strom joins Planet Fastpitch
this fall in a multi-function role. Lisa is a graduate of the University of
Rhode Island with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. Her love and
commitment to softball, combined with her diverse background in health club
management, facility scheduling and career counseling, will directly benefit the
Planet Fastpitch front office. Lisa is currently the JV Softball and Freshman
Volleyball coach at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough Mass, where
she will be starting her 9th softball season with the school this year. She is a
certified R.A.D self defense for women instructor, and a mixed martial arts
student. She is also a former certified EMT.
Lisa manages the daily activities at Planet Fastpitch as well as coaches. Prior
to her being hired at PFP, Lisa attended many of Denise’s coaching clinics. Her
passion and enthusiasm for the sport and the desire to learn and to ask
questions prompted Denise to invite her to be part of the PFP family.
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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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Olympic Consultants |
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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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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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