ABOUT US
At In The Zone, we believe our impact goes beyond the game itself. Our goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the athletes we work with. We support our athletes in reaching their current goals while encouraging them to aim even higher and pursue the next level of their development.
We take pride in creating an environment where athletes enjoy coming to train. Seeing the smiles on their faces and knowing they are having fun while improving at the game we all love is important to us.
In The Zone is not an “in-the-door, out-the-door” training atmosphere. We genuinely care about our athletes and the goals they are working toward. We take the time to build relationships, communicate regularly, and support them beyond the time they spend inside our facility.
Our approach is built on trust, commitment, and doing what is best for each athlete. Every lesson is tailored to the individual, focusing on the areas they want to develop and progressing at a pace that works best for them.
MEET THE TEAM
JOHN CHAPMAN
John ("Johnny" or "Coach Chappy") brings more than 20 years of experience in the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League, with a proven track record as both an elite player and a respected coach. During his playing career, John earned League MVP honours and was a two-time recipient of the Gary MacDonald Gold Glove and Silver Bat awards—recognizing excellence on both sides of the game.
His passion for baseball transitioned seamlessly into coaching, where he quickly became known for his commitment to athlete development and strong leadership. John’s impact has been recognized provincially, earning honours as Baseball Nova Scotia’s Major Athlete of the Year, followed by Baseball Nova Scotia Coach of the Year.
In 2023, John founded In The Zone out of his backyard garage with a vision to provide high-quality, accessible baseball training. That vision has since grown into a premier baseball training facility, located in central Nova Scotia, just outside of Truro, which officially opened in 2026.
At In The Zone, John’s approach goes beyond drills and repetitions. Training is built around all aspects of the game (hitting, pitching, fielding, and strength and conditioning), while fostering confidence, discipline, and a deep understanding of baseball. His goal is to help athletes at every level reach their full potential, both on and off the field.
BRADY MACKINNON
Brady (“Ferda”) is a dedicated athlete and trainer who brings leadership, work ethic, and a team-first mindset to everything he does. A standout right-handed pitcher and centre fielder, Brady earned MVP honours for pitching in both 2023 and 2025, recognizing his impact on the mound and his competitive edge.
Brady was a key member of the 2023 Truro Bearcats 15U AAA team, named Baseball Nova Scotia’s Minor Team of the Year, and helped lead Cobequid Educational Centre to back-to-back provincial championships in 2024 and 2025. His commitment extends beyond the field, as the recipient of the Ernest H. Abbott Award, recognizing his contributions to student life while maintaining strong academics.
Known for his character, Brady serves as an in-school mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester and as a Healthy Relationships for Youth (HRY) Facilitator, consistently giving back to his community.
As a trainer, Brady is committed to helping athletes build confidence, develop their skills, and feel a true sense of belonging. Known as the go-to guy when someone needs a pick-me-up, he brings a positive, fun approach to In The Zone, creating an environment where athletes feel supported, motivated, and ready to grow, compete, and thrive.
KATELYN MUNRO
Katelyn (“Katie”) is an experienced high-performance softball coach who brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to her role as a trainer. Deeply involved in the Team Nova Scotia Women’s Canada Games Softball Program, she has served as an Assistant Coach through the 2017, 2022, and 2025 cycles, and previously represented Nova Scotia as an athlete at the 2009 Canada Games.
Katelyn is NCCP Competition-Development certified and also serves as an NCCP Coach Developer, supporting the growth and development of coaches across the province. Her experience spans provincial, national, and U.S. competition, both as a player and a coach, and she is highly skilled in athlete identification, long-term development planning, and preparing athletes for high-performance competition.
With a background in kinesiology, Katelyn is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA) and Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM), bringing a strong performance-based approach to her coaching.
As a trainer, Katelyn is passionate about helping athletes build strong fundamentals, develop confidence and leadership, and reach their full potential. She brings a knowledgeable, supportive, and high-performance environment to In The Zone.
CHRIS DECOSTE
Chris (“The Candy Man”) is a versatile and driven athlete who brings a strong understanding of the game and a competitive edge to his role as a trainer. Primarily a catcher, he also pitches and switch-hits, giving him a well-rounded skill set and a unique perspective on all aspects of the game. His experience behind the plate allows him to provide specialized instruction to athletes looking to elevate their catching skills.
Chris played for Team Nova Scotia’s Provincial Program from 2023 to 2025 and earned recognition as the 2023 U15AAA All-Star Catcher. He was also selected to the Nova Scotia 17U Selects, the provincial team that competed at the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
At the high school level, Chris played a key role in leading Cobequid Educational Centre to consecutive provincial championships in 2024 and 2025.
As a trainer, Chris is committed to helping athletes build confidence, sharpen their fundamentals, and better understand the game. He brings a focused, detail-oriented approach to In The Zone.
MIKAEL FIELDS
Mikael (“Kael”) Fields is a rising leader in baseball and a dedicated trainer who brings elite-level experience and passion to every athlete she works with. At just 16 years old, Mikael holds a roster spot on Team Canada’s National Women’s Team, an honour reserved for the country’s top 20 female athletes.
A five-year member of Team Nova Scotia’s Provincial Girls Program, Mikael has competed at the 14U, 16U, and 21U levels, earning a bronze medal at Nationals with the 21U team. She also represented Team Nova Scotia as a member of the 16U girls’ baseball team at the 2025 Canada Games, competing in the inaugural women's baseball tournament.
Recognized as Baseball Nova Scotia’s Minor Female Athlete of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, Mikael’s work ethic and leadership set her apart. Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, she developed a strong athletic foundation before focusing on baseball, where her love for the game continues to grow.
As a trainer, Mikael brings a high-energy, athlete-first approach to In The Zone, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where athletes, especially young girls, can see what’s possible, compete with confidence, and grow their passion for baseball year-round.