At In The Zone Baseball Club, we are committed to developing a staff of Instructors and Coaches with a diverse range of experience in both baseball and softball. We are sensitive to the age and skill level of all participants, and by having a range of Instructors that specialize in areas of the game, as well as an ability to teach at a level that is understood and productive for the student of the game. We understand that although basic fundamentals in the game should be consistent across most levels, there are many ways to teach based on the students existing skill set and history. We do not "clone" players into "only one way". We fine tune and adapt instead of recreate whenever possible.
Ron Westmoreland (Click to Email)
Club President & Director
Following through with a concept he devised many years earlier, Ron opened In the Zone in September 2009. Ron pitched collegiately at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. Upon the conclusion of his college playing days he began a coaching career, serving in such capacities as the Head JV Coach at Eckerd, Assistant Coach at Tiverton High School and Portsmouth High School, and, in 2002, managed the Portsmouth Little League 12-Year Old All Stars to the championship game of the Little League Eastern Regional, one game away from the Little League World Series. In 2007, while an Assistant Coach at Portsmouth High School, he was selected as the National High School Baseball Coaches Association's District I Assistant Coach of the Year. In 2011, he returned to Portsmouth High School as the Head Varsity Baseball Coach. He is also an Owner/Treasurer of the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. By establishing In the Zone, Ron hopes to share his experience, expertise, and love of baseball with players and families in order to assist in the players' growth and development.
Dave Ulmschneider (Click to Email)
Select Team Director
12u Select Team Head Coach
As the Select Team Director at In the Zone, Dave is responsible for all aspects of the ITZ Thunder Select Baseball Program and the ITZ Lightning Select Softball Program. He is the former Head Baseball Coach at Portsmouth High School from 2000-2008 where his teams posted an overall record of 147-56, made three appearances in the State Championship Series at McCoy Stadium (2005, 2006, 2007), and won a RI State Championship in 2006. His 2007 team was nationally ranked as high as #40 in Baseball America. That same year, Dave was honored by the American Baseball Coaches Association as its Division III High School Baseball Coach of the Year for Region I. Prior to his tenure at Portsmouth, Dave was an Assistant Coach at Tiverton High School from 1993-1999, serving under Carl Reid. Additionally, he served as President of the Rhode Island Baseball Coaches Association from 2006-2008. He "retired" from the high school ranks after the 2008 season, but continues to serve as the GM of the Newport County American Legion Baseball Program, which includes two Jr. teams and a Sr. team. In 2010, he was awarded the Mark Hutchins Award for his embodiment of what American Legion Baseball represents. Currently, three of his former players are playing professionally: Ryan Westmoreland (Boston Red Sox 2008 Draft Pick), Zach Kapstein (Boston Red Sox 2009 Draft Pick), and John Pedrotty (Arizona Diamondbacks 2011 Draft Pick).
Mike Kearns (Click to Email)
Team/League Uniforms & Equipment
Mike brings many years of experience in the game, a network of schools and organizations and several years experience in the equipment, uniform & apprel business to In the Zone. Formerly of his own business Hooked On Sports, Mikes knowledge of the uniform and equipment business, his attention to detail and customer service along with the network of suppliers, screeners and embroidery shops is a great compliment to In The Zones Pro Shop and Travel teams, as well as an ability to supply local schools and organizations with a wide range of goods, all competitively priced. Mike is also active in the daily operations of the Club.
Danny Dugan
Front Desk
Danny "The GM" Dugan carries a diverse range of responsibilities at the Club. Currently a student studying Sports Management, his employ at In The Zone is a perfect hands on experience to help in learn the different components of the business. Whether he is working the desk, working on physically improving the training environment or occasionally jumping in to work lessons and camps, the former Portsmouth High School athlete brings great personality to the Club and a great work ethic and conscientious approach to the customers needs.
Anthony Serina
Front Desk
Craig Albernaz
Catching & Hitting Instructor
Alby was a 4-year Varsity starter behind the plate at Somerset (MA) High School. During his time at Somerset, he was twice named to the All-Eastern Athletic Conference Team. He moved on to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL where he was a 3-year starter and was named to the All-Star Team of the Valley Summer League. After a standout collegiate career, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays. He continues to pursue his dream of reaching the Majors, having played with the Class A Columbus Catfish in the South Atlantic League, the Class AA Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League, and the Class AAA Durham Bulls of the International League. He was a member of the league championship team while at Columbus, and was a member of a league and national championship team with Durham. Alby is considered one of the top defensive catchers in the Rays' organization and has been invited to Major League Spring Training with the Rays as a non-roster invitee for the last three spring trainings. Alby is available for catching and hitting lessons from October through early February.
Eric Alberto
13u Select Team Head Coach
Hitting & Outfield Instructor
Eric was born and raised in Fall River and still calls the city home. He starred at Durfee High School from 1990-1994, where he captained the Hilltoppers in his senior season. Upon graduation, he moved on to the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth where he was a 4-year starter for the Corsairs. He was honored as an All-New England selection in 1997 and 1998 and captained the Corsairs in his senior season at UMass-Dartmouth. He returned to UMass-Dartmouth as the Corsairs' Hitting Coach in 2008 and 2009. Eric is an outstanding instructor and is available for hitting and/or outfield lessons.
Jordan Amorin
Hitting & Catching Instructor
 
Jeff Costa

15u Select Team Head Coach
 
Andy Crisafulli
Pitching Instructor
The former pitching coach/recruiting coordinator at Rhode Island College and Head Baseball Coach at Portsmouth (RI) High School, Crisafulli brings a wealth of baseball experience to ITZ. A native of Swansea (MA) and a 1995 graduate of Joseph Case High School, Crisafulli earned Massachusetts All-State and South Coast Conference MVP honors, while leading the state in pitching wins as a senior. Crisafulli went on to accept a baseball scholarship to Quinnipiac University, where as a freshmen in 1996, he ranked "Top 10" in both ERA and strikeouts in the NE-10 Conference. He transferred to Bridgewater State College in 1998 for his final two years of eligibility. At BSC, Crisafulli guided the Bears to a pair of MASCAC titles and he pitched in two NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships. While at RIC, Crisafulli helped transform a struggling program into a consistent winner. In 2006, he was part of RIC's 1st Little East Conference (LEC) championship and its 1st NCAA Division III Regional appearance in 23 years. During Crisafulli's tenure, RIC's pitching staff soared to the top of many statistical categories in the LEC and a number of his pitchers earn All-Conference and All-New England accolades. Prior to joining the RIC staff, Crisafulli was head coach of the Swansea American Legion team and the Bay State Games' Western Massachusetts club. He has also coached baseball at the high school level in Fairhaven and Bridgewater-Raynham, along with leading the Somerset Middle School and Portsmouth High School baseball programs.
Jake Ferreira
Hitting & Catching Instructor
Jake is a 2009 graduate of Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. As a catcher at FPU, Jake helped lead the Ravens to 3 Northeast-10 Conference Championships, 3 Regional Championships, and 3 NCAA Division II College World Series appearances. He was elected a Team Captain in his senior season. Prior to his collegiate career, Jake was a 3-year Varsity standout at Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, MA, where he was chosen to the New Bedford Standard Times Super Baseball Team in 2004 and 2005. He begins his coaching career in 2011, serving as an assistant coach to Ron Westmoreland at Portsmouth High School. He is available for hitting and catching lessons and can be booked by calling ITZ.
Dave Gaspar
9u Select Team Head Coach

Dave Gaspar is a 1989 graduate of Tiverton High School where he was a Varsity pitcher under legendary coach, Steve Lake, and teammate of Matt McGuire.  Coach Gaspar went on to play in local amateur baseball leagues  from 1990-2006, including the former Bristol County League (where he played for New York Mets Scout Tommy Tanous). Dave has also coached in various organizations such as Little League, CYO, and the Southeastern Massachusetts Baseball League (SMBL).  His mixture  of baseball knowledge, experience with youth athletics, and genuine caring and understanding of young children make him a perfect fit for this position.  In 1998, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the youth of his local community.

Mike Huntsinger
Pitching Instructor
A Fall River native, Mike grew up playing baseball in the city. As a 15-year old player in the North Park Pony-Colt League he participated in the USA-Japan PONY League Friendship Series, playing in both Tokyo and Okinawa. He went on to pitch at Durfee High School where he was selected team captain in his senior season. He moved on to have a tremendous playing career at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. At Wheaton, he is the record holder for wins in a season (8, which he did twice) and career wins (30). Additionally during his career at Wheaton, he was honored as the school's 2003 Male Athlete of the Year and he's also been honored as a NEWMAC All-Conference selection, ABCA All New England selection, and ECAC All New England selection.
Adam Laliberte
18u Lightning Softball Head Coach
Matt McGuire
Matt is one of the most respected and experienced coaches in our area. A 1988 graduate of Tiverton (RI) High School where he played for the legendary Steve Lake, he moved on to a college playing career at the Community College of Rhode Island (where he played for current New York Mets Scout Arthur Pontarelli and one of his teammates was former Red Sox pitcher Rheal Cormier) from 1988-1990 and the University of Rhode Island from 1990-1992. Upon the conclusion of his playing career, he immediately embarked on a coaching career which included stops at Middletown (RI) High School (1993), Tiverton (RI) High School (1994-1997, 2000-2008), and Portsmouth (RI) High School (1998-1999, 2011) where he coached the Patriots to their first ever Rhode Island State Championship in 1999. In addition to his high school coaching experience, Matt has coached in various other organizations including Little League, AAU, Senior Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, and American Legion. He brings all of this experience to ITZ where he shares his knowledge and passion with players in the Thunder Baseball Program.
Jim Mello
Pitching Instructor
A native of Pawtcket, RI (where he still resides today), Jim was the captain of back-to-back Rhode Island State Championship teams at Saint Raphael's Academy in 1995 and 1996. He was a three time All-Division, All Blackstone Valley, and All-State selection and was chosen as Division MVP two times (1994 and 1996). He still holds the career record for pitching victories at St. Raphael's, winning 31 games in his career. After graduation, Jim attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL where he was a pitcher for their Varsity team in 1997. He earned his first ever collegiate pitching victory against Division I Temple University while at Eckerd. He transferred to Salve Regina University in 1998, where he posted a 7-4 record. He began his coaching career in 1999, coaching the Darlington American (Pawtucket, RI) Little League All-Star Teams from 1999-2002. His teams won the District 2 Championship in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, he returned to St. Raphael's as an assistant coach to he legendary Tom Sorrentine. He remained at St. Ray's through 2007, also assisting Coach Sorrentine with the Varsity Boys' Basketball Team. Jim also was the General Manager/Field Manager of the Collette Vacations/Post 79 American Legion Baseball Program from 2003 - 2008. His teams qualified for the playoffs in all six seasons under his leadership and made four consecutive RI American Legion Final Four appearances from 2004 - 2007. In 2008, he was awarded the Mark Hutchins Award for his embodiment of what American Legion Baseball represents. Jim is also available for pitching lessons by contacting ITZ.
Chuck Paiva
17U Select Team Head Coach
Chuck brings his experience in all levels and all facets of the game to ITZ. A 1977 graduate of Naugatuck (CT) High School, he led his team to the Connecticut High School Class L State Championship by pitching in every game of the state tournament and earning 2 wins and 2 saves. Upon graduation, he moved on to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL (where he met ITZ President Ron Westmoreland). Chuck's teams were considered among the best in the country and even finished the 1981 season ranked #1 nationally. While at Eckerd, Chuck had many outstanding wins on the mound including victories over such teams as Central Florida, Rollins, Florida Southern, St. Leo's, Western Kentucky, Yale, and a two-hitter against the Miami Hurricanes! He also posted two wins in the NCAA Southern Regional Tournament in 1980 and 1981. He served as Eckerd's Pitching Coach in 1985, where he spent that summer working with numerous MLB scouts providing clinics throughout Florida. In 1986, he became the Pitching Coach at Salve Regina University in Newport, a post he held through the 1991 season. He was a founder and Director of the Newport Baseball School from 1988-1998, where his staffs included a number of collegiate and professional coaches. Additionally he served as a coach in the prestigious Donnelly Sunset League in Newport, where he managed many college and future professional players from all over the country. Currently, in addition to leading his Thunder team, Chuck is an Owner and General Manager of the Newport Gulls, the most successful franchise in the history of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. During the ownership group's and Chuck's tenure, the Gulls have sent over 160 players into professional baseball and have won 4 NECBL Championships.
Chris Patsos
Hitting & Catching Instructor
A native of the Boston area, Chris began his collegiate career as a catcher at Miami Dade Community College from 1979-1980. He moved on to Florida Southern College in 1981-1982. In 1981, his FSC Moccasins team won the NCAA Championship. Then in 1982, as team captain, he once again led his team to the finals, finishing second in the country. While in college, he spent two summers catching for the Wareham Gatemen of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, hitting .357 in his final season. In 1982, he was chosen to play in Fenway Park against the United States Olympic Baseball Team. Following the end of his collegiate playing days, Chris went on to play a number of seasons in both the Boston Park League and the Newport Sunset League. In 1997, he was selected to the Boston Park League's Hall of Fame. He has continued to be active in all facets of the game. For the past 15 years, he has coached in and served as the Vice President for the Newport Babe Ruth League. He spent 4 years as the Head Coach of the R&R Construction American Legion Baseball Team and continues to serve as an Advisor to that program today. He is also an Owner and Vice President of the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Robin Ramey
Softball Hitting & Fielding Instructor
We are thrilled to have Robin as part of our staff at ITZ. An All-State player at Portsmouth High School, Robin continued her softball career at Bryant University (1990-1991) and Salve Regina University (1992-1993). She was selected as the conference Rookie of the Year in 1990, and was named 1st Team All-Conference and Team MVP in both 1992 and 1993. In 1993, she was also selected as the NCAA's Woman Athlete of the Year. She continues to play competitively today and has been named to the National Women's All Tournament Team 8 times and was named a National Women's All American in 2004. She coached collegiately at Salve Regina University from 1994-1997, where her teams won their conference championship three times. In 2006, she took over as Head Softball Coach at Middletown (RI) High School. Her teams have appeared in the RI State Championship three times (2006, 2008, 2010), winning the title in 2006. She was named her league's Coach of the Year in 2009. In addition to doing hitting and fielding lessons at the club, Robin is an Assistant Coach of the ITZ Lightning 18u Select Travel Softball Team.
Carl Reid
Pitching Instructor
Carl is a 1986 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he enjoyed a 4-year pitching career for the Rams. Prior to attending URI, he had a standout, 4-year Varsity career at Tiverton (RI) High School from 1979-1982. In his senior season, he was the winning pitcher in the final game of the 1982 RIIL State Baseball Championship. This was an unbelievable acomplishment since at the time there was only one division in Rhode Island High School Baseball and Tiverton was one of the state's smallest schools. Following his college career, he returned to Tiverton, first as an Assistant Coach from 1988-1990, then as Head Coach from 1991-1999. In his first two seasons at the helm, his teams posted a combined overall record of 35-5. After a decade away from the high school ranks, he returned to Tiverton as its Head Coach in 2009. Additionally, he has coached in all levels of the Dighton (MA) Little League since 1999.
Ashton Stone
Pitching Instructor
Kathy Tracy
Softball Hitting & Pitching Instructor
Kathy brings an overwhelming amount of experience with her to In the Zone. A graduate of Springfield College, she was the Head Softball Coach at Oliver Ames High School in North Easton, MA from 1990-1993. She then moved on to become the Head Softball Coach at Stonehill College from 1993-1997. She is currently a Physical Education teacher at Easton (MA) Middle School. Additionally she runs the Mass. Wildcats, her own competitive travel softball team for girls ages 12 and under. Kathy can be booked for softball pitching lessons by calling ITZ.