Girls Fastpitch Coach · Hitting Instructor · Player Development
Shaun Smith
A Bergen County girls fastpitch coach and player-development leader with 14 years of experience. Currently Head Coach of New Jersey Thunder Fastpitch.
A coach for the whole athlete
Shaun Smith is an experienced girls fastpitch softball coach and player-development leader serving as Head Coach of New Jersey Thunder Fastpitch (NJ Thunder) for the 2026–2027 season, associated with Northvale, New Jersey, and The Fieldhouse.
With 14 years of coaching experience, he brings extensive knowledge of competitive youth softball and athlete development, with an emphasis on hitting instruction, offensive development, player confidence, mental toughness, leadership and personal growth.
Shaun’s goal is to develop fundamentally strong softball players while helping young athletes become confident, resilient, disciplined and accountable individuals prepared to handle challenges on and off the field.
Instruction with purpose
His background includes a Life Coach certification and experience in school administration. That perspective informs how he mentors and communicates with young athletes, combining softball instruction with positive reinforcement, accountability and an understanding of student-athlete development.
- Hitting and offensive development
- Confidence and mental toughness
- Leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship
- Preparation and personal responsibility
More than the game
“I coach because it gives me a chance to teach far more than the game of softball. It gives me the opportunity to help every girl who comes through my program become not only a better player, but a better person—more confident and mentally tough, and better prepared to handle the everyday challenges that life throws at us.”
For Shaun, success also shows in how athletes respond to adversity, support teammates, accept responsibility and grow as young adults.
Build the player.
Strengthen the person.
After 14 years of coaching, Shaun continues to lead with a development-first philosophy and a commitment to helping each athlete reach her potential.
New Jersey Thunder Fastpitch
Head Coach for the 2026–2027 season in Northvale, New Jersey, associated with The Fieldhouse.
