Meet The Coaches

---

Coach Adam brings passion, leadership, and a proven track record to the Firecrackers Illinois – Ring softball program. With over 12 years of fastpitch head coaching experience, he is deeply committed to developing young athletes by building both their skills and character.

Coach Adam brings firsthand knowledge of the game’s demands, strategy, and heart - experience that now fuels his coaching and player development approach.

This past season, he led his team to a 91-32-5 record while competing within the nation’s most elite fastpitch associations - culminating in a USSSA Southeast Nationals Championship Title in July 2025. Over the past four seasons, his current team has compiled an outstanding 257-97 record and securing 16 tournament championships. His success is built on a foundation of grit, heart, and a team-first culture that consistently drives performance and personal growth.

Coach Adam holds a Motor Preferences coaching certification, allowing him to tailor training to each athlete’s natural movement patterns and learning style - maximizing both development and confidence. He is also committed to continuing education through programs such as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and actively participates in premier fastpitch coaching networks to stay on the cutting edge of instruction, strategy, and leadership. He hosts local clinics and development programs, sharing his knowledge to strengthen the wider softball community.

His coaching philosophy emphasizes fundamentals, effort, and resilience. He fosters a positive yet competitive environment where players are encouraged to challenge themselves, support each other, and represent their team with pride.

Coach Adam leads his teams through a clearly defined set of Core Values. These values are essential in creating strong team chemistry, game IQ, and mental resilience.

Team-First: Putting the success of the team ahead of individual recognition. Every decision and action serves the group’s goals.

Outwork: Consistently giving maximum effort in practice and games, striving to be the hardest-working team on the field.

Kindness: Showing respect, support, and empathy toward teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials.

Fierce: Competing with intensity, determination, and focus - never backing down in pursuit of excellence.

Family: Creating a culture of trust and unity where players, coaches, and parents support one another on and off the field.

Fun: Enjoying the game, celebrating growth, and maintaining enthusiasm that fuels passion.

Thanks to his unwavering dedication and leadership, Firecrackers Illinois – Ring continues to grow into a well-respected and formidable program - defined by its strong culture, relentless work ethic, and love for the game.

“My goal is to build athletes who not only succeed on the field, but also develop the confidence, resilience, and teamwork that will serve them for life. At the same time, create a true sense of family throughout our entire program.” — Coach Adam

Coach Emma Fionda is a passionate and dedicated softball coach who finds immense joy in mentoring the next generation of athletes. Her coaching philosophy centers on building long-term relationships and trust with players and their families. Emma’s goal is to develop each athlete and provide them with greater knowledge, improved performance, enhanced confidence, and a resilient, positive mindset.

Emma’s softball journey began at age seven. After two years of recreational play, she transitioned to competitive softball at age nine, continuing through high school with top-tier organizations including the Richmond Rockets, Northern Ice, and Northern Illinois Lightning. She earned a varsity roster spot at Richmond-Burton Community High School as a freshman/sophomore and competed as a RHP/OF (2011–2013), later finishing her high school career in Track & Field—competing in sprints, relays, long jump, and triple jump (2013–2015).

At the collegiate level, Emma played center field for the Carroll University Pioneers (2015–2016) before transferring to the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where she was a starting left fielder (2016–2019). During her first season with the Titans, she contributed to the program’s longest NCAA Division III Championship run in nearly a decade. Throughout her career, Emma showcased exceptional versatility—pitching for 11 years and playing both infield and outfield. Notably, she transitioned from a right-handed hitter to a left-handed slapper as a high school freshman, demonstrating adaptability and relentless drive to improve.

Since 2019, Emma has provided private instruction in pitching, defensive mechanics, hitting, and slapping. She began her official coaching career in 2023, spending one season with the 12U Warren Wave – Ring (2023) and one season with the Illinois Firecrackers 13U Ring (2024). She has coached for a total of two seasons and now enters her third in 2025. In addition to her role as pitching coach and caller, she supports all facets of team development—focusing on skill growth, softball IQ, recruiting, and mental resilience.

Emma brings a strong academic and professional background to her coaching. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a Healthcare emphasis and a Master’s degree in Environmental Health and Safety. She currently works as a Certified Safety Professional in the biotechnology–pharmaceutical industry. She actively incorporates her expertise in health, heat/cold safety, nutrition, and hydration to prepare athletes to perform at their best while protecting their overall well-being. To further her coaching knowledge, Emma pursues continuing education through the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Coach Emma is committed to shaping well-rounded athletes—not just stronger players, but confident young women prepared for the mental demands of the game and the challenges of life. She also offers guidance through the recruiting process, drawing from her own experiences to support players and families with clarity and encouragement.

Rob Chapman has been coaching softball for 6 years and has developed a reputation for passion, dedication, and success on the field. During his time in the sport, Rob has helped guide his teams to 15 tournament championships. His ability to teach fundamentals, develop advanced skills, and prepare players for high-level competition has consistently resulted in strong team performances and individual player growth.

As an assistant coach for Firecrackers IL, Rob is heavily involved in all aspects of player development. He works closely with athletes to build confidence, strengthen fundamentals, and apply advanced game strategies in both practice and game situations. Rob takes pride in fostering a competitive but supportive environment where players are encouraged to push their limits, learn from challenges, and achieve their goals.

Away from the field, Rob is a Director of Operations for a large health system. His leadership in managing complex teams translates directly into his coaching, where organization, accountability, teamwork, and communication create an environment for players to thrive.