Coaching is the most important component of player development in any youth baseball program The techniques and habits formed at a young age will determine how far a players career will advance. Young players grow and mature at different rates. The mechanics that are introduced at a young age must be biomechanicly correct to allow players to be able to compete and continually improve as there bodies mature. Diamond Dawg players receive consistent and proven instruction from the areas best baseball staff.
The Pittsburgh Diamond Dawgs were created in 2004 by the areas most successful and qualified full time professional baseball instrutors. Former Professional pitchers Frank Merigliano (White Sox) and Ryan Flanagan (Twins) along with Dom Merigliano (Univ of Pittsburgh) oversee all Diamond Dawg activities from team selection and travel to setting up all practice sessions and spring scrimmage games..
Our coaching staff includes seven coaches with professional baseball experience and numerous others that have played collegiatley. No other area program has a staff that is even remotely comparable.
All Diamond Dawgs coaches for the individual teams are hand selected by the Diamond Dawgs staff. Each coach has been involved with the program for a minimum of two years.All of our coaches possess excellent communication skills along with an understanding of all our teaching techniques and are able to relay it to our players in an age appropriate manner.
THE BEST INSTUCTION PRODUCES THE AREAS BEST PLAYERS
SINCE 2001 DIAMOND DAWG STAFF HAS PRODUCED
Over 80 College scholarship players
16 players selected in th Major League Draft
3 Plyers that pitched in the Major Leagues Zach Jackson (Brewers) Kevin Slowey (Twins) Scotty Patterson ( Yankees)
WPIAL Highschool player of the year 2001,2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008
Additional Diamond Dawgs coaches
Mike Conte: Played collegiately at Virginia Tech...Played 7 years with the Oakland As....current head coach at California Pa. Todd Stepehn: Played collegiately at Point Park....Played professionally with the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs Josh Hungerman: Played collegiately at Cleveland State...Currently pitches for the Colarado Rockies Tom Hoffman: Played collegiately at Miami Dade....Pitched professionally with the Pittsburgh Pirates Scott Bischke : Played collegiately at North Dakota State Rick Bubash : Played collegiately at West Liberty State Andy Bednar: Played collegiately at Cornell University Jim Burns: Played collegiately at California University of PA Ralph Serafino: Played collegiately at Cleveland State Brian Chrisman: Played collegiately at Marshall University and the University of Pittsburgh Frank Craska: Played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh Patrick Sadler: Played collegiatley at Gulf Coast (FLA) and California Univ of PA Tom Vey Jr.: Played collegiatley at Theil College Scott Winkler: On Dawgs staff since 2006 Has been on the staff of teams that have won over 15 tournament championships Brian Walker: Part of the 2010 9 Gold staff that won 4 Chmpionships Frank Reynolds: Part of the 2010 9 Gold staff that won 4 Championships Scott Calloway: One of the winningest AAU coaches in the last 10 years.....Teams have won tournament championships in several states Joe Marcheletta: Very successful Dawgs coach since 2005 Bob Ridgeway: Has been a part of numerous championships since 2007 Duffy Winek: Has been on the staff of the winningest team in Dawgs history...on staff since 2005 Eddie Edwards: Has been on the staff of the winningest team in Dawgs history...on staff since 2005 Tom Vey Sr: Part of North Catholics WPIAL championship team....on staff of the winningest team in Dawgs history Mike Monaco: Has teamed with Todd Stephan for the past 5 seasons to win championships in 5 different states Sam Ginsburg: Integral part of successful Sq Hill Baseball program.....one of the most knowledgeable Baseball minds anywhere Big Willy Podvasnik: Part of the Dawgs since the innaguaral season... Kerr AA legend
Our Ability, experience, and coaching philosophies are unmatched. No other area program even comes close!
