Rich “Fons” Fonseca - Head Coach (2024 18U Blue Team)
Coach Rich “Fons” Fonseca will enter his first season as the Head Coach for the Blue team and Fire N’ Ice Director. This will be Fons’ sixth year with Fire N’ Ice. In his previous seasons, he has served both as an Assistant coach and Head Coach for the Red team. Fons also serves as an Assistant Softball Coach at Rhode Island College. Last season, Fons served as the Head Coach for the Red ’23 team, a team made up entirely of graduating senior student athletes. Prior to FNI, Fons played college baseball at Johnson & Wales University where he later was an assistant coach for 6 seasons.
Mary Holt-Kelsch - Assistant Coach (2024 18U Blue Team)
We welcome Coach Mary Holt-Kelsch for her 1st season with FNI! Coach Mary is the Head Coach for Rhode Island College. Coach Mary has years of college coaching experience, including time at Lafeyette and URI. In addition to her coaching experience, Coach Mary is an instructor at Planet Fastpitch in Uxbridge, MA. Coach Mary played college softball at Kent State University where she was a 3 year starter.
Joe Bell - Assistant Coach (2024 18U Blue Team)
We welcome back Coach Joe Bell for his 2nd season as an assistant coach on FNI Blue. If you are looking for passion and intensity, look no further than Coach Joe Bell! Coach Joe Bell brings it every day in practice or game, so the team will certainly have someone to match their energies with.
Joe Baris - Assistant Coach (2024 18U Blue Team)
How about a welcome back to Coach Joe Baris! Coach Joe will be a man of many hats this season, in addition to assisting with the Blue team he is also the Head Coach of our 14u team. Joe was the Head Coach of our Red Prospects team last season. Alongside Coach Mark, the Red Prospects finished their solid 2023 season, by going 4-1-1 at NE’s Finest against strong competition. Coach Joe is a successful veteran coach with a plethora of knowledge, having coached for several years with Coventry Girls Softball League. Above all his knowledge, is our girls genuinely enjoy playing for Coach Joe, that is the ultimate compliment as a coach.
Nelson Silva - Head Coach (2024 18U Red Team)
We are excited to welcome Nelson Silva to Fire N’ Ice as the Head Coach of the Red team! Nelson comes to FNI after serving as Head Coach and member of the board for Rehoboth Thunder/SE Mass Thunder and Rehoboth Girls Little League, respectively. Nelson is a veteran coach who brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to FNI! We are excited to have him on board and be able to work alongside him this season.
Chris Finona - Head Coach (2024 16U Team)
New to FNI is both a 16u team as well as our 16u Head Coach Chris Finona. Having had the opportunity to get to know Coach Chris more over the last few months, I am extremely excited that he is part of FNI. Coach Chris has proven he is willing to help FNI wherever he can, and I am grateful for his efforts. Chris has a wealth of experience in coaching and administration in youth sports. Chris was President of the softball league for Riverside Little League, spent the previous 6 years coaching at East Bay Rage where he has found success tournament after tournament. There is no doubt FNI is a better program with him aboard.
Joe Baris - Head Coach (2024 14U Team)
How about a welcome back to Coach Joe Baris! Coach Joe will be the 14U Head coach as well as an assistant with the Blue team. Joe was the Head Coach of our 18U Red Prospects team last season. Alongside Coach Mark, the Red Prospects finished their solid 2023 season, by going 4-1-1 at NE’s Finest against strong competition. Coach Joe is a successful veteran coach with a plethora of knowledge, having coached for several years with Coventry Girls Softball League. Coach Joe also played baseball at Sacred Heart University. Above all his knowledge, is our girls genuinely enjoy playing for Coach Joe, that is the ultimate compliment as a coach.
Mike Caisse - Assistant Coach (2024 14U Team)
Coach Mike is entering his 2nd season as an assistant with FNI, previously serving as a 12u assistant last season, welcome back Coach Mike!
Noelle "Nellie" Simmons & Jill Donnelly - Assistant Coaches (2024 14U Team)
New to FNI, are a pair of Rhode Island College Student-Athletes, Noelle “Nellie” Simmons and Jill Donnelly! Both are entering their sophomore seasons at RIC and bring a strong ability to connect with the players, drawing on their own experiences. Nellie was a Little East All-Rookie team performer and will work with the infielders and hitters alongside Coach Jill. Welcome Coach Nellie and Coach Jill!
Sophia Crudale - Head Coach (2024 12U Team)
We welcome Head Coach Sophia Crudale to her 1st season with Fire N’ Ice. Coach Soph is from Cranston RI and graduated from Cranston West in 2022. She played travel softball for the Cranston Ravens, New England Phoenix, and Waves, as well as Cranston West varsity softball. In high school, Coach Soph was an All-State selection and honor roll student. She was part of the Medical Pathways program where she received the Medical Futures Award. Coach Soph just completed her sophomore year at Rhode Island College where she is an outfielder on the RIC softball team. She was recently named a Second Team All-Little East Conference Outfielder. Following her Freshman year she achieved All-Rookie team honors in the Little East conference.
Gabby Cunha - Assistant Coach (2024 12U Team)
We welcome Coach Gabby Cunha to her 1 st season with Fire N’ Ice. Coach Gabby is from Cranston RI and graduated from Cranston West in 2022. She played travel softball with several organizations including the CLCF bombers, Cranston Ravens, and Waves, as well as Cranston West varsity softball. While in high school, she was in all academic softball selection and part of the National Honor Society. Coach Gabby received the Superintendent of the year scholarship from the Cranston school department for her hard work and dedication to her academics and extracurricular activities. Coach Gabby has also helped run multiple softball camps and clinics with young student athletes while she was in high school and currently in college. Coach Gabby just completed her sophomore year at Rhode Island College. She is a pitcher on the RIC softball team appearing in 16 games and starting 8 her freshman year. She was also named a Little East conference Academic Honor Roll recipient her freshman year.