All American Baseball Center

Dan Ninemire – Professional Baseball Instructor

Dan Ninemire photo We are pleased to introduce Dan Ninemire as General Manager of the All American Baseball Center. Dan has an excellent background, serving as a college baseball coach for several years, as well as playing at the collegiate and minor league levels. Currently, Dan serves as an Associate Scout with the Seattle Mariners.

Dan worked four years as an assistant baseball coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Dan’s responsibilities included serving as recruiting coordinator as well as working with the infielders and catchers.

The recent success of the University of Pittsburgh baseball team has been triggered by Ninemire's recruiting efforts as the Panthers' last three recruiting classes were ranked among the nation's best by The Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Additionally, under his direction, the Panthers boasted one of the top fielding and defensive squads in 2004. Pittsburgh was the top fielding team in the Big East and had the fewest stolen bases against.

Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, Ninemire served as head coach at Onondaga Community College (OCC) from 1999-2001. While at OCC, Ninemire lead the Lazers to a 16-game turnaround in a one year period. He also served as pitching coach for the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, and helped lead them to a NECBL championship. Adding to his experience, Ninemire served as field manager and general manager for the Watertown Wizards of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.

"One of the reasons we asked Dan to join our staff is because of his head coaching experience and his connections in New York" stated Pittsburgh head coach Joe Jordano. "We have done a great job in attracting New York talent, including 2004 Big East Rookie of the Year Jim Negrych."

In the fall of 1996, Ninemire took on his first coaching job as an assistant at Mercyhurst College under current Pittsburgh head coach Joe Jordano. Prior to coaching, Ninemire played professional baseball for the Newark Barge Bandits in the North Atlantic League. He also served as an associate scout for the Cleveland Indians from 2000 to 2001.

Ninemire's college baseball days began in 1993 at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) in Utica, NY. In his first season he helped lead his team to the Junior College World Series. He later was named to the NYS Junior College All-Star Team. After his tenure at MVCC, Ninemire transferred and finished his college career at Gannon University in Erie, PA. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1997 in therapeutic recreation, and later received his master's from Syracuse in special education in 1998.

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Matt DeSantis – Director of Baseball Operations, East Campus / Professional Baseball Instructor

Matt DeSantis photo Matt attended the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 and 2004 as a catcher, graduating with scholastic honors in 2004. Prior to joining Pitt, Matt attended Keystone College for 2 years, where he was a catcher. At Keystone, Matt was an academic All American in 2001 and 2002. He was team captain in 2002, and received all-region honors. Matt is a graduate of Knoch High School in Butler, PA. Matt played on 2 section championship teams (1999 and 2000), and was team captain in 2000. Matt also was named MVP of the team in his senior year, with Knoch going 18-1.

Since joining the All American Baseball Center, Matt has coached the 12U, 13U & 14U Revolution baseball teams. We are very pleased to have Matt as a professional baseball instructor at the All American Baseball Center.

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Tommy Atkinson – Professional Instructor

We are pleased to announce Tommy Atkinson as the newest member of The All American Baseball Center. Atkinson has an extensive background in college baseball at the junior college and division 1 ranks. He spent the 2009 season as an Assistant Coach at East Carolina University where they won the Conference USA regular season as well as the Greenville Regional.

Atkinson was instrumental in helping the 2009 Pirates rank among the league leaders in stolen bases and outfield assists. Under his direction left fielder Stephen Batts and center fielder Trent Whitehead earned Conference USA All Conference honors. Whitehead was also named The Most Outstanding Player of The Greenville Regional.

Off the diamond, Atkinson's primary role was heading up ECU summer and winter baseball camps which have continued to grow under his supervision and are known for their high level of structure and organization.

Prior to his appointment at ECU, Atkinson spent eight overall seasons at Louisburg Junior College. He served as the programs Head Coach from fall 2005 to spring 2008. As Head Coach, Atkinson posted an impressive 124-49 record including a 43-14 mark in 2008 and finished second in the Region Tournament. In 2007 the Hurricanes won the regular season Region 10 Title with a 41-17 record and Atkinson was named Region 10 Coach of the Year.

From 1999- 2005, Atkinson served as an Assistant Coach at Louisburg College where his primary duties included; recruiting coordinator, third base coach, and hitting instructor. Offensively, the Hurricanes flourished under Atkinsonís direction ranking among the statistical leaders in batting average and runs scored in Region 10.

In addition to his stint at Louisburg, Atkinsonís background includes Head Coaching positions in college wood bat leagues. In the summer of 2003, he was the Head Coach of the Fayetteville Swampdogs of the Coastal Plains League while the summer of 2004 saw Atkinson head up the Riverpoint Royals of the New England Collegiate League.

Atkinson has coached over 30 players that have gone on to play professional baseball. He also saw over 30 players move on to the D1 level from his tenure at Louisburg.

Before his nine year stay at Louisburg, Atkinson spent four years as an Assistant Coach at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He also was the Head Coach of the North Raleigh Legion Post 297 that won the 2000 Area 1 championship and competed for the state title in Granite Falls, NC.

Atkinson earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Mount Olive College, where he played baseball, before earning a Master's Degree in Counseling from Campbell University in 1996. He is married to the former Kathy Williford of Fayetteville, NC. The couple has two children; Gabrielle 8 and William 5.

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Brian Chrisman – Professional Baseball Instructor / Speed and Strength Coordinator

Brian Chrisman attended Marshall University from 2003-2006 earning a bachelor's degree in Sports Marketing. Upon graduation Brian transferred to the University of Pittsburgh where he completed through the 2008 season as a starting pitcher for the Panthers. In April 2009 he graduated with a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh. During the 2004-2006 season as a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd Brian led the team in strikeouts, starts, and tied for the team high in wins. During the summer of 2005 Brian competed in the Alaska Baseball League as a member of the Mat-Su Miners and was named to the ALL-Alaska All Star Team. From 2003-2006 Brian served as a member of the Marshall University Student Athlete Awareness Committee and was also the recipient of the Buck Harless Endowment Scholarship sponsored by former Major League Pitcher Rick Reed. A graduate of Baldwin High School Brian was named to the Terrific 10 in 2003 and was also named team Captain and team MVP. We are very pleased to have Brian as a professional baseball instructor at the All American Baseball Center.

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Jessica Bova – Professional Softball Instructor

All American Baseball Center is pleased to announce Jessica Bova As the newest member of our professional staff.

Jessica Bova comes to All American Baseball Center from the University of Pittsburgh where she served as an assistant coach for the past two seasons. Prior to joining the coaching staff, Bova starred at Pitt from 2004-2008. As a Panther, Bova was a four-year starter at either outfield, third base or shortstop. Bova led Pitt to each of its three Big East Championship berths. She set or tied school career records for RBI (113) and doubles (45), and set single-season records for hits (66), doubles (17), runs scored (43) , RBI (44), at-bats (184), and set the school record for the longest hitting streak (22 games). She is second all time in career batting average (.327), hits (209), runs scored (116), and single season batting average (.377). She was Pitt's first three-time All-Big East selection. In 2007, she ranked 33rd nationally for the "toughest to strikeout", and in 2008 she was 2nd team ECAC Softball All Star selection. She graduated from Pitt with a degree in communications and sociology.

Jess continued her softball career professionally in the NPF with the Washington Glory as a utility player. Jess holds the distinction of being the first Pitt Panther to play at the professional level. As a member of the Glory, Bova was an integral part in the team's 30-win season. In 2009, Bova joined the USSSA Pride and played with Olympians Monica Abbott, Caitlin Lowe and Kelly Kretschman. We are very pleased to have Jessica as a member of our professional staff.

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John Tavares – Professional Instructor

John is a graduate of Norwin High School and Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. John was a 4 year starter at Allegheny from 1993-1997. During his college career, John received the Glenn Beckert Award for Outstanding Defense (1996), Honorable Mention NCAC All Conference Team (1996), and was selected for the Division III Baseball All Region Team (1996).

John was honored with the Annual Point Stadium Award (AAABA Johnstown, PA) where he received an academic scholarship and was given the prestigious honor of receiving the Key to the City for a day.

John spent a month and a half in Europe instructing kids and playing in tournaments, as a result of being a member of Team America. Completing his college honors was the Allegheny College Coaches Award for Leadership and 2nd Team NCAC All Conference Team.

John comes to All American Baseball with a varied background and experiences in the field of Baseball. Some of those experiences are represented below:

1997 Adirondack Lumberjacks-Northeast League
1998 Ohio Valley Redcoats-Frontier League
1998 Assistant Baseball Coach, Allegheny College
1999 Dubois County Dragons-Frontier League
2000 Dubois County Dragons ( player/assistant manager)-Frontier League
2001 Richmond Roosters-Frontier League
2002 Richmond Roosters-Frontier League
2003 Allentown Ambassadors-Northern League

In addition to the above experiences, John holds the following records:

2000 Frontier League All Star Team-starting shortstop
2001-2002 Frontier League Champions (1st Team to ever win back to back!)
Frontier League Career Record for Runs Scored-315
Frontier League Career Record for At Bats-1626

All American Baseball Center is pleased to welcome John Tavares to our staff.

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Joe Vicini – Professional Baseball Instructor

Joe Vicini joins the All American staff as an instructor. Joe comes with a varied baseball experience.

Joe graduated from West Shamoken High School in 2005. He went on to further both his educational as well as baseball career at Indiana University. While at Indiana University Joe was a pitcher and also served as team captain for two years.

During his final captainship, Joe led the Hoosiers to their first big ten title since 1966. Joe also holds the distinction of being the first two time captain under Head Coach Tracy Smith.

Joe's successful baseball achievements did not go unnoticed. He was honored by his high school when they recently retired his number 11 jersey.

All American is pleased to have Joe as a member of their instructional staff.

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Michael Ryan – Professional Baseball Instructor

Michael Ryan is a current minor league outfielder, most recently completing his 12th season in professional baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Michael was drafted by the Minnesota Twins organization in the 5th round of the 1996 draft. He played for the Minnesota Twins organization from 1996 to 2005. He also played in the Atlanta Braves organization for their AAA team, the Richmond Braves. Michael will be looking to have another successful season this year, potentially duplicating the award he previously received as the American League player of the month for the Minnesota Twins. We are very pleased to have Michael as a professional baseball instructor at the All American Baseball Center.

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You need a system to hold runners on base. You need signals for a step off, long hold, and different kinds of moves to the bases and to home.