The Upper Deck Club, LLC has been an evolution for our leadership team. We are the largest softball-only facility in Northern Colorado, which exists to model our softball training techniques and programs which are rooted in peak physiological and psychological performance. We all first came together in January 2019 as our founder had launched a new, non-profit, volunteer-led softball club, the Colorado Royals. The fierce demand for individual training and indoor team practices during the winter drove us to create the Upper Deck Club, to expand the experience we’ve created for female athletes and teams that want something above and beyond.
MEET OUR CLUB COACHES
Our amazing coaching staff stems from our family owned business and people-first values and support system, for everyone who trains and works at our club, welcome to the family!
Come in to meet our crew!
Dave Darby
Hitting Coach
Dave is an 11-year veteran softball coach, husband of 27 years, father of 5 (4 softball-playing young ladies), a behavioral scientist/ entrepreneur still running PIQ Mentoring, a global mentoring company he founded in 2003, and a philanthropist leading to give back to his community. His specialty is building bridges through creative teaching methods and solutions and, in the realm of softball, his passion is hitting and all that it entails physically and mentally. If you have an hour, ask him for a story. You won’t likely be disappointed.
Richie White
Hitting Coach
Richie is a 7-year veteran softball coach, husband of 16 years, father to 2 softball-playing young ladies, and a GSE Supervisor for Frontier Airlines. Richie is the guy you want when the sheet hits the fan. He’s calm under pressure and never rests when there is a problem to solve. He’s one of the most loved coaches around and players never forget him or his lessons: “We win as a team, and we lose as a team.” He’s also the guy who knows a guy so if he can’t do it or doesn’t have access to it, wait an hour. When he’s not working or volunteering his leadership, he loves to run the smoker like a true pit boss.
Jeff Walls
Hitting Coach
Jeff has coached Baseball since 1994 and fell in love with Softball 3 years ago. As a computer programmer, he brings a problem solving approach to training with a strong focus on fundamentals and individualized development. He enjoys working on the physical and mental sides of the game and loves helping kids achieve their goals.
Nicole Darby
Pitching, Hitting, Fielding Coach
Nicole is currently expanding her education and softball career on scholarship at Park University, AZ, where she is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Fitness and Wellness. She’s leading both on and off the field with a strong 4.0 average in her classes, and as an ace pitcher, hitter, and defender on the clay. Building her reputation coaching over 65+ pitchers over the past 4 years, Nicole is tough yet compassionate pitching coach and entrepreneur, and has built a system when it comes to advancing a pitchers mechanics, spin, control and speed, helping pitchers of all ages become an ace under pressure.
Abby Harpman
Pitching, Hitting, Fielding Coach
Abby found her passion in giving her knowledge back to the next generation. She grew up playing softball in the Northern Colorado area and has experience at that next level to give back to the next generation. She received her associate’s degree in Psychology from Northeastern Junior College, where she played as a pitcher, and corner infielder. She’s now pursuing her bachelors degree in Health and Exercise science from CSU. She has a heavy focus on the mental aspects of the game as well, wanting to create players who are always thinking & understand the game deeply.
Station Charters
Pitching Coach
Station has been playing softball since 2007 and pitching since 2012. She went to Doane University, NE, where she was ranked 14th nationally for pitching her freshman year. Covid brought her back to Colorado where she began sharing all of the knowledge she’s gained from her coaches over the years. She currently coaches a 16U team, but has been coaching for the past 3 years with players from 6U all the way to 18U! Her coaching philosophy has been focused on the mental aspect of the game. Her main goal is building confidence through skill and knowledge while creating a safe space for players to learn, grow, and have fun!
Lauren Darby
Catching Coach
Lauren’s a former player of seven years and passionate coach of 4 years, where she’s built a reputation of motivational speeches and pep-talks that rally the troops regardless of the game, conditions, or obstacles. She’s passionate to push catchers to the next level of the game, no matter their experience or age group, as she works to build strength, speed, knowledge, and a love for the sport and position that’ll never fade.
Olivia Darby
Fielding Coach
Olivia is a current softball player of 10 years, with competitive playing experience at the Gold and A level in softball. She’s grown to love and skillfully play all positions on the field, with a competitive heart for diving both offensively and defensively. She’s attended D1 college camps at both Texas University and Ohio State, and traveled all across the states to play. When she’s in her off season, you can find Olivia giving back to the younger teams, her big heart and passion for the sport helping her connect with each player both on and off the field as she helps them grow and reach their softball goals.
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