About me

I’m Melissa Whitehead, mother, wife, owner sole proprietor of Rise Softball Development. Since I was 8, I have had a love for softball. I love the grind, challenges and game within the game. In fall of 2006  my playing career ended and I had a huge void. As I finished college I began becoming a personal trainer at In-Shape in Ceres, CA.

In November 2006 I walked into All American and spoke to Debbie Nelson. I had trained with Coach Simon summer of 2004. I truly love the impact coaching can bring and with the encouragement from my future hubby I pursued my dreams. Thankful daily for that conversation and opportunity she gave me. From then on I’ve engulfed myself in all the training, knowledge, coaching I could get my hands on. I truly have a passion to help people in all areas of life. I love learning and creating long lasting relationships.

Experience

Owner-Sole Proprietor Rise Softball Development 2015-Present

Training 60 students weekly at my home facility and ONLINE in the areas of pitching, hitting and defensive skills. Training both physically and mentally. Along with guidance in recruiting.

Assistant Coach 2019-2023

Assistant Coach Role on and off 2019-2023 for Cen Cal Angels and Oakdale Heat. Creating practice plans, running practices and working with Pitcher/ catcher staffs. Developing game knowledge, situational awareness, grit and competitors

Owner Sole Proprietor Wooldridge Softball Academy 2010-2015

Opening a physical location in Modesto, CA while training at AASA until 2011.

Owner-Independent Contractor Wooldridge Softball Instruction 2007 — 2011

Began my training career at All American Sports Academy, Tracy CA. Learned to harness my coaching skills, drill library, people skills, scheduling and running a facility.

In Shape- Personal Trainer 2007-2009

Personal Training one on one clients along with nutritional advice. Helping them reach their physical fitness goals.

Assistant Coach/Head Coach 2007

Summer 2007 Joined Steve Drewry staff to coach AASA 16U team.

Assistant Coach 2004-2005

Summers after college I was an assistant coach for San Jose Sting. 14U and 16U. Specializing in pitchers and catchers. Nationally ranked team competing ASA Nationals. Most players competed in College.

Education

CSU Bakersfield — Bachelor’s of Science Business Management 2008

Skills

Learning the ins and outs of managing a business, accounting, marketing and more. Skills to develop a successful business plan and ability to adapt. Learning High Level Throwing techniques. Brainstorming with Rich Balswick and CSUB Coach Letty Olivera and countless others. I’m a student of the game and constantly look for ways to improve my coaching, facility and ways to reach more athletes and parents.

Aspiring to be a pitcher at 9 years old, I understand the struggle to figure it out. I worked hard with not many results. My parents and I decided to change pitching coaches and I became a student of the game. Developing later than other’s allowed me to develop my full game. I became a defensive and offensive threat before a dominant pitcher. I decided at a young age I wanted to become a softball instructor. Now I train 60 students a week and need to be able to help more! I decided to do something about it. What started as a quest to conquer my own waitlist,  has now turned into a system that has helped hundreds of my members step into who they really are as a pitcher and confidently show up in their lives like never before. It’s helped parents navigate the struggles of pitching and being a pitcher’s parent.

Abuse Prevention 2025

Concussion Prevention 2025

CPR Cert. 2007-2025

NASM Cert 1 2007

Awards

2006 MVP of conference  CCAA NCAA II

2006 2nd Team All Conference Pitcher CCAA

2006 NCAA DII 4th Place Participant WCWS

2005 NJCAA 2nd Team All Conference Florida State College

2003 Davis High Most Valuable Defensive Player

2003 Davis High Most Inspirational Players

2003 Modesto Bee Player of the Week multiple times

2003 Co-CCC Champ