Available 2024: Two-Way Pitcher, Utility with Overseas Experience as a Player & Coach
Name: Carissa McBirnie
Height: 180cm
Weight: kg
DOB: January 5, 1995
Date Available: October 31, 2023
Bats: R
Throws: R
Positions: 1B, SP, RP
Positions (alt): Utl, 3B, OF
College: AIB College of Business; Dordt College
Personal
Carissa is a utility player, pitcher, and right-handed hitter/thrower. She has a full season of overseas experience in Poland where she has pitched and coached for the Wroclaw Panthers during the summer season of 2021. She has a full season of experience in Australia where she pitched for the Glenelg Rebels during the 2022-2023 winter season. She recently finished a full season playing for the Guggenberg Legionäre’s in Germany this summer. Carissa is actively looking for a team to play for the second half of this 2023-24 winter season.
While in college, Carissa was awarded “MVP Freshman of the Year” in 2014. In 2015 she was nominated “MCC Softball All-Conference Team Honorable Mention.” While attending AIB and Dordt as a student-athlete, she was a 2-year starter (2 years at each school) and a consistent asset in the pitching line-up. She is a multi-position player that can play infield and outfield if needed. Out of the pitching circle, she is most experienced at the infield corners and assisting in the outfield.
Carissa has extensive coaching experience. Back in Ohio she has been a professional trainer for youth and collegiate athletes for almost 6 years. She was part of the coaching staff for the Polish National Team in the 2021 European Championships, and has served as a player/coach for the Wroclaw Panthers over the 2021 summer season. She also participated in the 2021 European Cup with the Wroclaw Panthers and her team placed second in the overall tournament.
In addition to having a passion for playing, she loves to share her knowledge of the game with teammates and the youth. She is always striving to improve as a player and also help others around her. Other than being an instructor at the youth, collegiate and international levels, she has organized and ran camps and clinics as a professional softball instructor.
Playing Experience
Coaching Experience
| YEAR | ROLE | ORGANIZATION | LEAGUE/DIVISION | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | Player, Assistant Coach | Regensburg Legionäres | Bundesliga Süd, Division 1 | Analyze each players swing and adjust or find what works best for each individual. Refine each pitchers technique and mechanics to aide in accessing as much power & accuracy as possible. Find the best drills to meet each pitchers specific needs. (etc. shoulder safety, overall strength & flexibility...) |
| Winter 2022-23 | Volunteer Coach | Boys SAPSASA | Youth After School Program | Teach young athletes about softball and develop new skills. Also help them to develop a good understanding of the sport as well as building respect and confidence within the aspect of a team sport. |
| Summer 2021 | Player, Assistant Coach | Wroclaw Panthers | PLSK, Division 1 | Build up new players basic fundamentals in multiple areas. Analyze batters swings and find what works best for each player. Teach pitchers proper technique and mechanics to stay in the best shape for shoulder safety/ strength. |
| Summer 2021 | Assistant Coach | Poland National Fastpitch Softball Team | European Championship, 2021 | Build up technique and power of the pitching staff. Teach the mental side of the game to build up confidence and knowledge with pitchers and catchers as a unit. Evaluate each pitcher to find patterns they could be successful using with their different pitch variations. |
| 4-5 Years | Professional Instructor | D-Bat Columbus East & North | Youth, High School | Teach young athletes new softball/ baseball skills to improve the skills already possessed. Also help them to develop good character, respect, and confidence within themselves. |
| 2 Years | Assistant Coach | Ohio Stingrays 10u | Youth (travel team) | Analyze players and develop individual positions to help strengthen areas that need focused on. Help to advance their skills and improve on new ones. Develop self confidence and respect for the game and others. |
| 1 year | Practice Instructor | Travel 16u Team | High School | Design indoor drills to layout a plan for each practice. Develop each player in their individual positions and help them build and develop new skills. |
Stats
Pro/Overseas Batting
| Years | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Regensburg Legionäres | 9 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .529 | .556 | .824 |
| 2022-23 | Glenelg Rebels | 27 | 67 | 12 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 0 | .447 | .525 | .552 |
| 2021 | Wroclaw Panthers | 11 | 34 | 6 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .382 | .523 | .529 |
| 2021 | Wroclaw Panthers: European Cup | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .250 | .500 | .500 |
Pro/Overseas Pitching
| Year | Team | ERA | GS | CG | IP | H | SO | BB | HBP | R | ER | Wins | Losses | SV | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Regensburg Legionäres | 2.98 | 8 | 6 | 51.2 | 46 | 70 | 29 | 3 | 35 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1.45 |
| 2023 | Guggenberg Legionäre: Finkstonball Tournament | 0.00 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.70 |
| 2021 | Wroclaw Panthers | 3.06 | 7 | 6 | 47 | 28 | 52 | 24 | 2 | 26 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1.10 |
College/Amateur Batting
Testimonials
These Testimonials Have Been Verified
Carissa played for me for several years in a very strong club program in the Midwest where she was one of our primary pitchers. Then I had the pleasure of coaching her again in college at AIB, an NAIA program in Des Moines, Iowa before the school closed. She has always carried herself with nothing but class and brings with her a passion and work ethic that earns the respect of her coaches and teammates. She showed great poise and control on the mound and transitioned from a fairly dominant power pitcher to a pitcher with explosiveness and movement. She would represent any team well.
I had the pleasure of coaching Carissa McBirnie in 2014-15 at AIB College of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. During our time together, I never questioned Carissa's commitment to the game, her teammates, and coaches. She was a determined pitcher/1st basemen for us, with natural power and a will to get better. More importantly, her commitment in the classroom was evident and exemplifies her strong work ethic. I saw a lot of growth in Carissa that year, she came into our program with raw athletic ability. Her game improved with instruction and her dedication to elevate her game.
I am more than happy to recommend Carissa to your program and believe she would be a great addition to any team.
When Carissa pitched at AIB College of Business, she was relatively new to full-time pitching responsibilities. She is strong and powerful and worked very hard. With continued work and coaching, she began to throw two great breaking pitches including the rise ball and screwball. Her change-up was one of her BEST pitches. She could throw her change-up at two speeds with a downward break. Her pitching precision improved throughout my time with her. Her velocity grew as she became more conditioned. One of her strengths was when there is a gameplan and she prepares ahead for the hitters--she can be highly focused. She works well with catchers and by the time she left AIB in 2015, she was extremely powerful and effective.
Additional Info
- Daria Krupińska (Manager/Assistant Coach, Panthers Wroclaw and Vice President, Polish Baseball & Softball Federation): dkrupinska@gmail.com
I played and coached on the same field alongside Carissa for a little under a year, with the Wroclaw Panthers in 2021. Carissa was a great addition to our team and one of the biggest contributors to our win in the Polish League along with earning our second place finish at the European Cup. She showed an amazing talent for coaching all skill levels, together with great leadership on and off the field. With her help a lot of girls improved in hitting along with their pitching techniques and skills. Carissa was always eager to help in all of the club departments and she’s consistently working to improve herself. She also strove to include all our athletic programs, American Football & Lacrosse, by inviting them to participate in any and all softball hosted events; to share the sport with as many people as possible.
Overseas goals
- Extend my softball career
- Use overseas as a stepping stone into a professional league in the U.S.
- Experience new cultures and meet new people
- Use my knowledge and experience to help grow the game globally
Playing Preferences: Europe (Summer), Canada (Summer), Asia (Summer), Australia (Winter), New Zealand (Winter), Latin America (Winter), South Africa (Winter)
Living preferences: Living on my own, Living with teammates with my own private bedroom, Living with teammates in a shared bedroom, Living with a host family
Return home: I can stay as long as it takes to complete a season
Traveling with a companion: Perhaps for a short term visit
Educational background: Graduated from AIB College of Business (AIB) with an Associate’s in Contemporary Business Communications in 2015. Graduated from Dordt College (Dordt) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Communications in 2017.