QUALITY, CONSISTENCY, CONFIDENCEServing Connecticut's baseball and softball community since 2002

Diamond Kings
54 Dolphin Road
Bristol, CT

ph: 860-584-1386
fax: 860-314-0445

DK Staff                                                

The DK Staff of professional instructors are all current or former collegiate baseball  and softball coaches and have played professionally in the United States or
overseas. We know the importance of athletes learning from every coach who enters their lives. Our staff's benchmark of knowledge ensures you will have a first class learning experience every time an 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 a positive attitude, coupled with the highest level of professional instruction facilitate self confidence in each player’s on-field and off-field abilities.

  • Mike ChurchMike Church

    • 7 years as profesisonal player, 5 year of college coaching,  5 years as minor league Director of Baseball Operations,  4 years as field manager, one year as hitting coach and Dir of Player Procurement.
    • Director of Player Procurement and Baseball Operations, Bridgeport Bluefish, 2008
    • Manager and Dir of Baseball Operations, New Haven County Cutters, Can Am League of Professional Baseball 2004-2007
    • Selected as Manager for 2006 Can-Am/American Assoc All Star Game
    • Northern LeagueAll Star Catcher, 2001
    • Two-time Northern League Champion w/Adirondack Lumberjacks, 2000 and New Jersey Jackals, 2001
    • New Jersey Jackals 5th Anniversary All-Star Team, 2002,Played professionally from 1995-2002
    • Asst Baseball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, Central Connecticut State University, 1995-1999
    • All-ECAC Catcher at Central Connecticut State University
    • Catcher, NECBL's Inaugural All-Star Game at Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT and NECBL 10th Player Award Winner and all Star Game, Inaugural Season 1994
    • B.A. English, CCSU 1996
    • Appeared in 2006 ESPN Miniseries, "The Bronx is Burning" 
  • Jim DeschaineJimmy Deschaine

    • Chicago Cubs 10th-round selection in 1999 Amateur Draft
    • 2005 Member, Torrington Twisters Hall of Fame
    • Florida State League All Star and Home Run Derby Champion and FSL leader in HR and RBI in 2001
    • Current record holder in NECBL batting average with a .429 mark
    • NECBL All Star and 10th player award recipient
    • Played collegiately at Brandeis University and Current leader in all offensive categories
    • New England Player of the Year, 1999,
    • All New England Selection, 1998, 99 ,First Team All American, SS, 1999
    • Runner-up, Gatorade Connecticut Player of Year, 1995
  • Laura DiNapoli

    • 4 year starting pitcher at Post University in Waterbury, CT
    • 3 year pitching coach at Watertown High School
    • 1997-98 High School All American, Watertown High School
    • 2001-02 CACC All Conference
    • 2000-2002 CACC ALL Tournament team
    • Led the Eagles 2002 to CACC Regional Runner-up
    • 2002 CACC All Regional Tournament team
    • Career ERA 1.46
    • B.A in Finance from Post University in Waterbury, CT
  • Gene Gentile
    Gene Gentile

    • Gene was originally drafted out of Taylor-Allderice High School (Pittsburgh, PA) in the 32nd Round, 677th overall, by his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1976 amateur entry draft.

    • Gene’s professional career spanned a decade as he played with Boston, Pittsburgh, and Oakland from
      1977 to 1987.

    • Gene coached in the Pirates Organization after his playing days.

    • Gene patrolled the outfield for the Bristol Red Sox during the 1980 and 1981 seasons and for the
      Pawtucket Red Sox in 1982 and 1983.

    • Gene resides in Bristol, CT. with his wife and daughters.

  • Lance Stevens

     

  • Devin Murphy
    Devin Murphy

    • Signed profesisonally with Sioux City Explorers, American Association 
    • 3 year starter at Assumption College in Worcester, MA
    • Played SS, 2b, 1B and 3B during his college career
    • 290 career hitter in all wood bat league NE-10 Conference.
    • All NVL  and All City at Holy Cross HS in Waterbury, CT
    • Varsity basketball and NVL champs in 2001, 2002 and lost in state finals 2000 and 2004
    • Won Lt. John Cullenen Award, City of Waterbury, 2004
    • BS, Organizational Communication, Assumption College, 2008
  • Adam Piechowski
    Adam Piechowski

    • Signed professionally in 2007 as a middle releiver, Runner Up Rookie of the Year in 2007, CanAm League
    • A Winsted, CT, native, Piechowski is a graduate of CCSU where he played for three years.
    • In 2006, he made 16 appearances and pitched 67.0 innings. He held an ERA of 4.16,
      with a winning record of 5-1, and also collected 53 strikeouts.
    • In 2005, pitched 47.0 innings in 13 appearances struck out 32 batters and recorded an ERA of 4.79.
    • Piechowski played his freshmen year, 2004, at Philadelphia University where he held a 4-4 record and a 4.50 ERA in 62.0 innings pitched. He also posted 54 strikeouts.
  • Jon Plefka
    Jon Plefka

    • Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 2006 First Year Player draft.
    • Posted a 2-2 record with 33 strikeouts in 27 innings with the Orem Owlz Played with the AZL Angels and the Orem Owlz in the Angels organization.
    • Has participated in the Arizona Instructional League for the past two seasons.
    • Graduated from Texas Tech University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human development and Family Studies.
    • Was a starter for the Texas Tech Men’s Basketball team under legendary coach Bob Knight and reached the NCAA Tournament in his senior season.
    • Native of New Britain, CT and attended New Britain High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football.
  • Jeff Rustico

    • 4 year starter at American International College

    • Northeast 10 All-conference selection in 2006 and 2007.

    • Led AIC in batting 2 of his 4 years.

    • Served as AIC baseball's team captain in 2007 and 2008.

    • Played in the NECBL in the summer of 2007 for the Pittsfield Dukes.

    • Signed professionally to play in Israeli Baseball League

  • Pat Holden

     Hours: M-F 11am to 9pm    Sat and Sun Copyright                                                          Diamond Kings Baseball and Softball. All rights reserved.ond

Diamond Kings
54 Dolphin Road
Bristol, CT

ph: 860-584-1386
fax: 860-314-0445