Director of Operations and Player Development​
​Professional Baseball Scout: Texas Rangers, NY Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, S.F. Giants
​Baseball U New England/Baseball U CT

PATRICK VIGILIO

Newley retired after teaching 26 years as a public educator in the Norwalk Public School district. Currently, he is working as an Associate Scout with the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Club since January of 2024. He first began scouting in 2002 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and spent five years there before moving on to the Royals in 2008, then to the Giants from 2011-2014 and back to the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2014-2016.

Patrick founded the New England Hardball Academy and Baseball U New England. Baseball U New England is now known as Baseball U CT. This is a college-based high school development program, providing players with a balanced scheme of practice and showcase tournaments in the New England region.
Baseball U New England/ CT is an affiliate of its nationally ranked parent program Baseball U out of West Long Branch, NJ. Baseball U has recently expanded and now has affiliates in North NJ, Pa, and NY state. The standards that Patrick has set for Baseball U New England/CT and its mission of developing the whole student/athlete have quickly grown throughout the New England area with college coaches. The organization's success is now recognized nationally and has one of the top development programs in the country.

​University of New Haven: Assistant Baseball Coach (2000–2002)
Before working with the Royals and the Pirates, Patrick returned to his undergraduate Alma Mata as an assistant coach for the University of New Haven. As a UNH graduate, he earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration and played under legendary head coach Frank “Porky” Vieira from 1984-1986. His responsibilities from 2000–2002 included: national recruiting, practice implementation, team defense, and base running. During these two years, UNH compiled a 51–22 record.

​Norwalk Community College: Associate Head Baseball Coach (1997–2000)
​Success at the collegiate level began early for Patrick in is capacity as the Associate Head Baseball Coach at Norwalk Community Technical College and as a member of UNH’s nationally ranked teams in the early ’80s. During his three years at NCTC, the program was ranked #1 nationally by the NJCAA (1997-2000). The Panthers compiled an astounding 142–15 record during those three years. The crowning moment came when Patrick and the Panthers captured the 1998 NJCAA National Championship. The 1999 season saw the team finish with a 50-2 record including an amazing 50 straight wins. Even though a second national championship eluded them, the NCTC program had five players selected in the 1999 MLB draft. The highest selection in the third round was Baltimore Orioles LHP Eric Bedard. Patrick has coached and developed more than twenty additional players that have been MLB draft picks or have signed professional baseball contracts.
As the Associate Head Coach at NCTC, Patrick was also responsible for a national recruiting effort, on-field coaching duties included work with infielders, outfielders, catchers, hitters, and base runners, enforcing athletic policies, and conduct governing athletics and academics. Patrick also provided guidance and counseling for students/athletes in the areas of academics, financial aid, and admissions.

Player Development​ & Catching Coach​
​Former Northeast Area Scouting Supervisor for the Arizona Diamondbacks

MATT MERULLO

A baseball lifer, Matt Merullo has spent 25 years inside the baseball world in a variety of avenues. As the Northeast Area Scouting Supervisor for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Merullo has helped sign over 50 players to professional contracts in his 12 years.​
 
Matt Merullo has also spent time as a professional baseball manager, heading the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Short-Season Single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, for two seasons. He led Aberdeen to the New York-Penn League McNamara Division Championship, the first-ever division championship in Aberdeen history.
 
As a player, Merullo was drafted in the seventh round out of the University in North Carolina in 1986 by the Chicago White Sox. He spent six seasons in the big leagues as a catcher and first baseman, amassing 116 hits for the White Sox, Indians, and Twins. He led the American League with 47 pinch hits in 1991, including a ninth-inning game-tyingtwo-outt pinch-hit homer against the Boston Red Sox.
 
Most recently, Merullo has been doing player development and instruction at BatterUp! In Guilford, Conn. He was also inducted into the Fairfield Prep Hall of Fame in 2020. Ironically, Coach Merullo drafted and signed, current Baseball U CT staff member, Chris LeSuire out of the U of New Haven. Coach Merulllo will be working with our catchers/hitters and with overall player development. 

Player Development​ & Coach​
​Former Northeast Area Scouting Supervisor for the Arizona Diamondbacks

JOE MANCINI

A baseball lifer, Matt Merullo has spent 25 years inside the baseball world in a variety of avenues. As the Northeast Area Scouting Supervisor for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Merullo has helped sign over 50 players to professional contracts in his 12 years.​
 
Matt Merullo has also spent time as a professional baseball manager, heading the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Short-Season Single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, for two seasons. He led Aberdeen to the New York-Penn League McNamara Division Championship, the first-ever division championship in Aberdeen history.
 
As a player, Merullo was drafted in the seventh round out of the University in North Carolina in 1986 by the Chicago White Sox. He spent six seasons in the big leagues as a catcher and first baseman, amassing 116 hits for the White Sox, Indians, and Twins. He led the American League with 47 pinch hits in 1991, including a ninth-inning game-tyingtwo-outt pinch-hit homer against the Boston Red Sox.
 
Most recently, Merullo has been doing player development and instruction at BatterUp! In Guilford, Conn. He was also inducted into the Fairfield Prep Hall of Fame in 2020. Ironically, Coach Merullo drafted and signed, current Baseball U CT staff member, Chris LeSuire out of the U of New Haven. Coach Merulllo will be working with our catchers/hitters and with overall player development. 

Coach/Player Counselor & Adviser

CHRIS LESIEUR

Present: New Haven Public Schools 
HS Guidance Counselor

2010-2012: Quinnipiac University
Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach 

2008-2010: Greens Farms Academy
Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach

M.S. Fairfield University, CT
Counseling
Certified School Counselor
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
B.A University of New Haven, CT
Political Science
Baseball Scholarship
2000 MLB Draft Pick 20th Rd Diamondbacks RHP
2002-Present: Jonathan Law H.S. Milford, CT
Health Educator

2002-2010: Jonathan Law H.S
Head Varsity Baseball Coach 
(140-69) Record, 6 division titles, 2 league titles, 2008 state championship

M.S. Southern CT State College
Health Education
B.S. Seton Hall University
Physical Education
Baseball Scholarship
1991 MLB Draft Pick 23rd Rd Minnesota Twins LHP (5yr minor league playing career)
​
Allegany Community College, MD
All American: Big stick Award winner
National Batting Champion D1

Coach & Adviser

DENNIS SWEENY

Coordinator Coach​/Player Counselor & Advisor

TODD MATHEWSON

​​2013-Present: Canterbury School, New Milford, CT
HS Guidance Counselor
Head Varsity Baseball Coach

2008-2013: Greens Farm Academy, Westport, CT
Recruiting Coordinator K-12
Head Varsity Baseball Coach

M.S. Business Adm. Clarke University
Graduate Asst Baseball Coach
B.A. Management of Clarke University
Presidential Scholar (4rs)
Team Captain
ESPN All-District
Career RBI leader
​​
2012-2019: Ridgefield H.S
Head Varsity Baseball Coach

1999-2011: Notre Dame of Fairfield
Head Varsity Baseball Coach
2003 CIAC Class M Champion
2009 CIAC Class S Champion

Ed. Quinnipiac University
Leadership
M.A Fairfield University
Special Education
B.A Fairfield University
English

Coach & Instructor

PAUL FABBRI

Organizational Mental Performance Coach and Instructor

ANTHONY DANIELLO

Present: Forest Hills Elementary, Wilmington, NC​
Physical and Health Educator

2016-Present: Mental Performance Coaching
His coaching has been used by:
Team USA Olympic World Cup competitor
Professional players
NCAA athletes
High School athletes

2008-2018: Brien McMahon High School
Varsity Assitant Baseball Coach 

M.S. The Graduate Institute
Integrative Health and Healing
B.S. University of North Carolina Wilmington
Physical and Health Education

​
Present: Salesforce

#1 Most Innovative Company
#1 Top 100 Companies to Work for in 2018

B.A. University of Connecticut
Communications
Baseball Scholarship
4 Year Starter and Captain (2016)
2 Conference Titles (AAC, BIG EAST)
2016 AAC All-Second Team
2016 AAC All-Tournament Team
4th All-Time in Games Played for the Huskies
12th All-Time in Hits
17th All-Time in Doubles
20th All-Time Stolen Bases​​​
CT HS Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year
2 Time FCIAC Player of the Year 
2 Time All-State Selection

Baseball U CT Alumni

Travel Coach & Instructor​​

BRYAN DANIELLO

Guest Instructor/Advisor​​

NICK GIAQUINTO

30 seasons at the helm of Sacred Heart, and 18 at the Division I level. He guided the Pioneers to their eighth straight Northeast Conference Tournament appearance in 2016. Giaquinto reached the 600 win milestone against Bryant on April 30, 2016. His career record is 608-716-3.

Giaquinto graduated from UConn in 1979, where he still holds the school's all-time single-game rushing record of 277 yards against Holy Cross in 1976. Before coaching college baseball, he had an accomplished playing career in football that included four seasons in the NFL.  He first played for the Miami Dolphins in 1980 before joining the Washington Redskins, playing for the Super Bowl XVII squad that beat his former team for the title.

After his professional football career, Giaquinto took a position as an assistant baseball coach at George Mason University. There he received his master's in Education before being hired at SHU in 1988.
​

  • Led SHU to seventh consecutive Northeast Conference Championship Game in 2015, where the Pioneers won their fourth Championship in program history and third in five years. 
  • Twice he has led Sacred Heart to a program record 34 wins, in 2011 and 2013. 
  • Guided SHU to the NEC Tournament in 2005 for the first time in school history, and backed that up with another appearance in 2006, where they would go on to win the program's first-ever NEC championship.
  • During his tenure, nine Pioneers have been drafted into the MLB.
  • Has coached two All-Americans, 48 All-NEC selections, three Conference Players of the Year, two Conference Rookies of the Year, one Northeast Region Pitcher of the Year, one Northeast Region Player of the Year, and one NEC Pitcher of the Year.
  • He was honored as the Northeast Region and New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 1992, as well as the NEC Coach of the Year in 2005. 
  • He helped the Pioneers make the step up to Division I when they joined the Northeast Conference in 2000.
  • He guided the Pioneers to the NCAA Regional Tournament three times at the Division II level - finishing eighth in the country at College World Series in 1992.
  • Won back-to-back ECAC championships in 1990 and 1991 under his tutelage.

2014-Present: N.D West Haven
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

B.S. University of New Haven
Sports Management
All Northeast 10
All-East Region
NEIBA All-Star
2013 NE 10 Tournament MVP
Finalist for the Josh Willingham Award (D2 National MVP)

Baseball U CT Alumni
2018: Head Coach New Canaan HS

2009-2013, 2016, 2017: Assistant Coach New Canaan HS

2008-2009: Junior Varsity Head Coach, St. Joseph HS

2010-2011: Instructor Bobby Valentines Sports Academy

2008-2010: Instructor and Travel Baseball Coach triple Play/Xplosion

2017-Present: School Resource Officer New Canaan HS
1988-Present: Police Officer Town of New Canaan
1981-1984: United States Marine Corps​

Travel Coach & Instructor

Travel Coach & Instructor​​

PETER JAY

GEOFFREY LAMBERT

Travel Coach & Instructor​​

KYLE MILLER

2006-Present: Wentworth Hooker Elementary School 
New Haven, CT (Grade 5)
2014-Present: N.D West Haven
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

2012-2014: Hamden Hall
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

2007-2009: West Haven HS
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

​2006: West Haven HS
Head JV Coach

2005: N.D. West Haven
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

Southern CT State University:
MA in TESOL
B.A. University of Vermont
Elementary Education
Scholar-Athlete
Baseball Scholarship
All-Conference Outfielder

Pitching Coach & Instructor​​

JAMES MONDESIR

2006-Present: Wentworth Hooker Elementary School 
New Haven, CT (Grade 5)
2014-Present: N.D West Haven
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

2012-2014: Hamden Hall
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

2007-2009: West Haven HS
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

​2006: West Haven HS
Head JV Coach

2005: N.D. West Haven
Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach

Southern CT State University:
Currently pursuing an MA in TESOL
B.A. University of Vermont
Elementary Education
Scholar-Athlete
Baseball Scholarship
All-Conference Outfielder

National Director: ​Baseball U Prospects

JOHN WELLS

John founded Baseball U in the winter of 2006. Since that time 128 Baseball U Alumni have been drafted that have played for Baseball U and over 750+ players have gone on to further their education in college. What started out as one team in 2007 has now grown to over 60 teams in 4 different northeast states.

Most recently in 2020, John became an assistant coach for Montclair State where the team is off to an 8-4 start prior to the season being put on hold due to the Covid-19 virus. In 2019 John joined the staff at Stockton University where he helps lead the Ospreys to the school's best start in the school's history.

Has acted as an Associate Scout for over 17 years for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, and the Seattle Mariners. John has been coaching baseball since 1989 and in 2001 and in 2002 became the first manager to win back to back ACBL Championships with the NJ Colts in his first and only two years as their head coach.

In 2002 John joined the Brookdale Community College staff where he worked with the pitchers and ran the offense as their Third Base Coach. During his time at Brookdale under Head Coach Johnny Johnson, John helped coach the team to 5 World Series appearances in 8 years as an assistant coach.

His relationship with college coaches only continues to grow and it is important to him to not only help place a player in college but make sure it is a well-rounded fit in both the academics as well as baseball end for both the player and the school.
Baseball U has been invited to the largest amateur baseball scouting event ran by Perfect Game USA in the PG WWBA World Championships in October held in Jupiter, Florida every year since the organization started.

Pitching Advisor

BRIAN STONE

2011 University of New Haven Hall of Fame Induction

1986-1991: 36-23 record: 6 seasons (Mlk & St.Louis)

1986 MLB 6th Rd Draft pick Milwaukee Brewers RHP
2006-Present: St. Joseph High School Trumbull, CT 
Health Educator

2009-Present: Boston Red Sox
Scout

2005-2007: MLB Scouting Bureau

1997-2005: Colorado Rockies
Scout 

M.S. Southern CT State University
B.S. Springfield College

Organizational Player Scouting Adviser

DAVID SCRIVINS

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