My name is Katie Hedderman and I run HomePL8 Training LLC, a softball training facility with only female athlete instructors.  I graduated from SRU in 2014 and have been giving lessons and coaching softball in the Pittsburgh area since fall of 2014. HomePL8 (pronounced like home plate) came from my college softball number being #8 and my primary position as a catcher spending all my time behind of home plate. 

My philosophy with lessons is that every athlete is different, they learn different and are motivated different. It is my job as a coach to figure out what works for each athlete. My goal with lessons is to not talk at them, but to them. I aim to focus on teaching them to understand what they are doing, so they feel confident and able to work on their own- because that is where real change happens, taking what you learn and applying it on the field.  

I believe that rest and balance are important. I want this game to be fun for them, it shouldn't feel like a job. I focus a lot on the mental game and where their heads are at each lesson and how we can improve if needed. 

My goals are your goals. Every time someone walks in the door, I ask them that question: Why are you here? I have athletes with a goal to play in college, I have some trying to make their first travel team and some that just want confidence to compete on their local rec team. Whatever reason you come in, my goal is to meet you where you are and work together to get where you want to be.

A catcher with a big bat from Hampton High School, she was the captain her junior year and again her senior year of high school. Mackenzie will be headed to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall to continue her academics and her softball career.

She made first team All Section "Big 56" her sophomore year 2022 and was MVP her junior year. Mackenzie carried the highest batting average on her team .586 for her junior year and .507 for her senior year. She had a breakthrough senior year as she earned First Team All Section, Top 10 in the WPIAL and First Team All-State.

 For her travel ball team, Mackenzie made the $10,000 catch allowing her team to win the "Show Me the Money" tournament!

Lesson details:

Mackenzie's lessons are the junior lessons. She can work with your athlete on catching or hitting 1 on 1 for an hour. She also runs a group class for catching.

Schedule:

Thursdays 3:00-6:00pm

Ansley is a Junior at Slippery Rock where she is majoring in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Leadership. She hopes to give back to the athletic community by teaching young players, perfecting mechanics and walking families through the recruiting process. She will be available for lessons at HomePL8 Training on Tuesdays.

Meet coach Brandi

"After 15 years of trudging along that college career path,  never truly making a life choice for myself…  I transitioned away from the Architecture & Graphic Design, strapped to a desk to an active coaching career. The best part of this pivot was becoming a more present mom, wife and learning how to be the BEST VERSION of ME. 

I am your loud, high energy coach who is going to hand you the heavier weight when I see you putting in the work. Or a lighter weight to achieve the best form and prevent injuries. My passions are female health, resistance training and primal movements. My hobbies include reading P.D. books, swimming for fun and being a small town competitive Crossfit athlete."

Coach Brandi's July Schedule:

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:00-4:00pm

Caroline Schoenewald played four years of Division I softball at Virginia Tech (2014-2018), all while securing her Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. As the starting centerfielder and a consistent line-drive hitter, she made a huge impact on the ACC team. During her tenure, she was a two-time Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year (2016, 2017), two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient (2015, 2018), and also named Team Captain her senior season (2018). She enjoys sharing her knowledge and coaching girls of all skill levels regarding not only their softball skills, but also how to succeed in life off the field. 

Four year letter winner and starter at Elmira High School in upstate New York.

Played three years of Division ll softball at Slippery Rock while also earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and Management in three years.

Received a Masters Degree in Health Information Management from Slippery Rock in July 2023.

Honored on the Easton Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Scholar Athlete list for the 2020-21 school year

Lefty power hitter and outfielder

Looking the most forward to helping young athletes become confident and fall in love with the sport that brought me various opportunities and an abundance of friendships 

Coach Ally Dejidas is joining the team as a hitting coach after wrapping up a remarkable career at Mercyhurst. She now holds the single season homerun and the career season homerun record.

In her senior season, she was awarded the 2023 PSAC Player of the Year, First team all PSAC, NFCA ALl Atlantic first team, DII CCA All Atlantic first team, and Mercyhurst's Athletic Director Award.

Dejidas matched her performance on the field in the classroom on the Dean's List all 4 years, a 4-year PSAC Scholar athlete, CSC's Academic All-District Team and NFCA All American Scholar Athlete.

She graduated with a Bachelor's in Sports Medicine with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy.

She will be attending The University of Pittsburgh this fall to obtain her doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).

Coach Kaylee is joining the team as a pitching coach.

She graduated from La Roche University with a bachelors in health science and medical imaging.

She was a 4 year starting pitcher, was named athlete of the week, and made academic all-conference team as a peak performer. She was selected as the captain during her junior and senior year.

She has helped with defense hitting and pitching instruction at the collegiate level.

She enjoys teaching athletes of all skill levels and helping to develop the basic fundamental of pitching.

Kaylee's pitching lessons are for new pitchers or those with 1-3 years experience

Brittany Knight played five years of Division 1 softball at the University of Pittsburgh where she was a both a pitcher and hitter. She is a four year letter winner, ACC Pitcher of the week, ranked 4th all time in appearances in Pitt history, and was part of the ACC Coastal Division Champions in 2018. She has been giving lessons in her primary location in Pittsburgh for over a year and enjoys teaching girls of all skill levels about pitching fundamentals, spin, and being competitive. 

My love for softball started as soon as I stepped on that diamond at age 8 and I quickly found my

strength in the circle, pitching. I was a four-year letter winner at Butler High School, where I had a hand

in taking our team to playoffs for the first time in 13 years as the starting pitcher. While in high school, I

had the rare opportunity to move to Montana and was a member of the Belgrade Wolfpack where I was

a part of a pitching staff who went to become Montana State Champs! In addition to playing in

Montana, one of the most amazing memories I have is being able to play and pitch on the USA Hall of

Fame fields in Oklahoma. I attended DII Wheeling (Jesuit) University where I held the highest batting

average, homeruns, and runs batted in for three consecutive years. In addition, I was the recipient of a

WVIAC Honorable Mention, MEC 1 st and 2 nd Team All-Conference, MEC All Tournament Team, and

Dean’s List. I graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education. The best thing

about being a coach and instructor is having a hand in helping girls fall in love with the game that has

given so much to me. Softball is much bigger than just a game. It has given me lifelong friendships and

understanding that hard work and dedication does pay off. I am a mother of two amazing little kiddos,

and I can only hope that one day they find a passion and love for something as I have for softball.

Coach Kassidy, a current Sophomore at Seton Hill University, is joining our team as a hitting coach. She is available for lefty slapping lessons or regular hitting.

A lefty power hitter, the four year varsity letter winner at North Hills High School, Wittig was an outfielder and was captain her senior year. She was first team all Section WPIAL and first team PIAA outfielder for 2022.

Her junior year NH won WPIALs and got to semi finals in PIAA tournament. She was first team all section WPIAL 5A and second team PIAA for outfield

She had the highest batting average for her high school team junior and senior year

Wittig was a medical redshirt during her freshman year at SHU

Lesson details:

Kassidy will be available for lessons during the summer before returning to school in the fall.

Meet Charlotte, a 2024 Utility/Pitcher Junior at Hampton High School and a standout athlete on the softball field. She has lettered on the varsity team since freshman year, demonstrating her consistent dedication and talent as a player. In fact, she is ranked in the top 1% nationally for 2024 players in ODM for player metrics, and showcases her impressive skills on a national level as a member of the renowned Rhode Island Thunder 18u National Lotti Team.

Charlotte is also nationally ranked by Extra Innings for 2024 players, holding the #177 spot overall and #37 for infield. Additionally, she is ranked by Legacy and Legends for 2024 players at #558, further highlighting her abilities as a softball player.

Not only is Charlotte an exceptional player, but she is also a Certified Intermediate Pauly Girl Pitching Instructor; and personally trains in the High Level Pitching, Tincher, and Pauly Girl styles of Internal Rotation Pitching. 

She has trained with Austin Wasserman and his High Level Throwing Program since 2020, and has taken her throwing velocity to an impressive 73 mph. She has trained with Howard Kobata in the Kobata Style of Defense, as well as has been trained in the legendary Coach Bill Edwards style of defensive play. Charlotte is also well-versed in the Barrel Turn Style of hitting and has been hitting that style since 2019.

She offers lessons in Pitching, Hitting, and Softball Skills/Throwing and really enjoys providing training and encouragement to aspiring athletes.

With her impressive skills, rankings, and experience, Charlotte is a valuable asset to any team and a dedicated instructor for those looking to improve their game.

Lesson details:

- 1 hour lessons, $50

- Lessons can be 1 on 1 or up to 3 athletes per hour. 

To schedule, one person must book the lesson and pay in full - if you would like to bring additional athletes, you must email Coach Kate at Homepl8training@gmail.com to add the additional players to the session. Everyone must have an EZ facility account.