Chris Carminucci – C.E.O.
Chris Carminucci founded the Carminucci Sports Group to oversee the off-the-field operations of the Brockton Rox Professional Baseball Club (Can-Am League), and the Shaw’s Convention Center as C.E.O. and President. He spent, both, the 2009 & 10’ seasons as the Rox’ field manager, leading the team to its highest win total in club history, including back to back playoff appearances. On July 20th, 2010, Carminucci won his 250th game as a professional baseball manager
In 2008, Chris served as President of The Atlantic City (Can-Am League), helping lead the Surf to its highest average attendance in club history. In 2007, Carminucci was Atlantic City’s field manager, where he earned recognition as Can-Am League’s Manager of the Year while leading the team to a playoff appearance. The 2006 season saw Chris named Vice President of Player Procurement for Ventura Sports Group (El Paso Diablos & Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association), a position that he still holds to this day. Chris also served as the field manager for the St. Joe Blacksnakes (American Association), that same season.
Carminucci’s managing career began in the 2004 off-season, when he was named skipper of the Bangor Lumberjacks (Can-Am League); He managed he Grays (Can-Am League), the league’s road team, in 2005. Carminucci has also coached at the collegiate level with St. John’s University (Big East Conference) and the Brewster Whitecaps (Cape Cod League), and played professionally in the Frontier League, Big South League and the Northeast League. Chris has also worked as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals.
In 2010, Carminucci founded the Western Connecticut Baseball Academy, Operated out of the Newtown Youth Academy in Newtown, Ct. In addition; Chris will serve as the C.E.O. of the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks, playing their inaugural season in 2011.
A native of Westchester County, N.Y. When away from the ballpark, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lauren, and their daughters, Emma and Kate.
Michael Canina – Vice President Operations (CSG) & President (Brockton Rox)
Michael Canina has been the executive vice president of the Brockton Rox and The Shaw’s Center since 2005, overseeing a baseball club that welcomes over 100,000 fans per season, and a 15,000 square-foot catering and banquet facility that sees another 50,000 patrons pass through its doors every year. In December 2010, Michael was named President of the Rox overseeing all aspects of the operation. 2003, Michael was recruited by Brockton Professional Baseball’s management team to help build the Shaw’s Center, directing the facility’s catering company and overseeing the Campanelli Stadium food and beverage operation.
From 2000 to 2002, Canina led all divisions of Special Events Catering, a company that also included the South Shore County Club in Hingham, Mass.; Leighton’s Clambakes and Barbecue; and Special Events, a high-end off-premise catering company. There, he led the company to its highest revenues and profitability, and secured clients such as the Kennedys, the Shriver family, Best Buddies, and the Figawi yacht race. The company was also a preferred caterer at venues such as the Science Museum in Boston and the John F. Kennedy Library.
A native of Weymouth, Mass., Canina began his management career in 1998 at the age of 24, when he was named the general manager of the Ridder Country Club in East Bridgewater, Mass. He managed the day-to-day operations of the 1.8-million dollar catering division at the country club, and led it to double-digit growth in each of his first two years.
Barry Moss – Director of Player Procurement
Barry Moss, drafted in 1975, out of Pepperdine University in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Reds. He played eight seasons in the minor leagues with the Reds and Toronto Blue Jays organizations, reaching as high as the Triple-A level.
A switch-hitting outfielder and first basemen, Moss won two batting championships and a silver glove award. After his playing career ended, he was named hitting coach with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs minor league systems. In 1991, Moss was named New York-Penn League manager of the year. Prior to his year in the NY-Penn League, Moss later managed, and scouted for seven years in the San Diego Padres organization.
He has been with USA Olympic Committee assisting in the roster selections, and as a hitting instructor, for two World Cup and two Pan-American Games. Moss has spent the past eight seasons as a Player Personnel Director in the American-Association and Can-Am Leagues with the Brockton Rox, Fort Worth Cats, and the St. Paul Saints. Moss currently works, and resides in Studio City, California.
Hannah Schley – Director of Communications & President (Martha’s Vineyard Sharks)
Hannah Schley, a recent graduate of Pepperdine University, has been involved with baseball her entire life. Hannah’s father, Van Schley, a long time owner of minor league baseball clubs, is one of the founding members of the first modern Independent League, founding the Northern League in 1993. Hannah currently holds stock in several minor league baseball teams.
Her career in the game began in 2006, as a marketing and sales intern for the legendary St. Paul Saints (American Association) in 2006. During the 2007 & 2008 seasons, Schley pursued internships for the Brockton Rox, having been involved in all aspects of the operations. In season Hannah resides in the Greater Boston area, during the off season Hannah resides in Malibu, California.
Peter Caliendo – Director of International Scouting
Peter Caliendo’s baseball experience covers a wide range of geography and responsibilities. Newly appointed Technical Commissioner for the 2009 World Baseball Cub to be held in Europe September of 09. 2008 was on the Jury of appeal for baseball in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. He’s been a head coach and assistant coach, instructor and clinician, scout and evaluator, author and lecturer, President and General Manager. President of Caliendo Sports International and Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago. On the Board of the International Sports group a non for profit promoting coaches education worldwide.
Technical Commissioner for the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), governing baseball worldwide. Serves on the IBAF Steering Committee. Pete has served twice in Taiwan for the World Games, in Holland for the World Games, in Rio DeJaneiro Brazil for the Pan Am games and just recently in Beijing, China for the Pre Test Olympic games He is also the President of the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago, a professional baseball club which honors individuals in professional baseball and raises money to promote our national pastime.
2011 was given the American Baseball Coaches Association Meritorius Award, the Illinois High School Man of the Year and the Pitch and Hit Club Paul “Dizzy” Trout Ambassador Award.
He’s been in charge of Belgium’s National Team and responsible for the selection, training and development of U.S. entries in the Pan American Youth Championships, guiding those teams to gold medals in 1992, 1993 and 1996. In 1999, Pete was an assistant coach on the USA team in the International Cup in Australia. Pete Caliendo has lead clinics for Major League Baseball International, USA Baseball and many other baseball organizations in various Latin American and European countries, and throughout the United States. Pete has organized and coached a team from Japan to compete against the White Sox minor league teams at the Chicago White Sox spring training program. He has also done some private coaching for Japanese players.
He has been an associate professional scout for the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays, responsible for identification and evaluation of potential Major League prospects.
Pete has lectured on baseball all over the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America, has written articles for various publications and an international coaches book. Has a set of 5 baseball instructional DVD’s developed specifically for the voluteer coach to help them organize, teach and have fun throught thier practice and games.
Jerry Murphy – General Manager (Martha’s Vineyard Sharks)
Jerry joined the Carminucci Sports Group in November 2010 as the 1st ever General Manager of the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. Jerry’s background is in business. He was a senior vice president responsible for operations, financial control and risk management for a European bank operating a $25 billion branch in New York City for 22 years. During his banking days he has been the controller, responsible for financial control and taxation, head of risk management, head of the technology area and operations before being collectively responsible for all aforementioned areas. After leaving banking in 2002 Jerry became a founder and the CEO for a software company from 2003 through 2008. He then participated as a founder and CFO for a renewable energy project in New Hampshire from 2008 through the summer of 2010.
Jerry and his family have been coming to the Vineyard since the early 1990s before buying a summer home in 1999. Jerry and his family moved from NY to the Vineyard in June of 2007. Jerry’s passion is baseball and still enjoys playing softball on the Vineyard from March through mid-November.
Sander Stotland – General Manager (Torrington Titans)
Sander Stotland enters his first year as the Titans General Manager for the 2012 season. Sander will be in charge of all facets of the Titans operation. Previously Sander was the director of food and beverage for the Brockton Rox of the Can-Am league during the 2011 season. Prior to that Sander owner and operated the food and beverage company that provided services to the El Paso Diablos, Saint Joseph Missouri Blacksnakes, and the Atlantic City Surf. Sander assisted in the opening of Quik-Trip Park for the Grand Prairie Air Hogs. Sander also held the title of Assistant general manager for the Atlantic City Surf.
Sander has also been a district manager for Pizza Hut, Papa John’s pizza and H&R Block. Prior to that Sander was a member of the opening team of the Toyota Center for the Houston Rockets and Reliant Stadium home of the Houston Texans. Sander has worked the entire spectrum of events from Super bowls; MLB all-star games, and helped in the promotion of mega star concerts.
Before his sports and entertainment career Sander achieved the rank of detective sergeant for the Manvel, TX police department. Sander participated in multi-jurisdictional gang and narcotics task forces. Sander enjoys playing indoor soccer and watching TV during his off time. Sander has just recently relocated to Torrington residing with his wife, two teenage children, and his Saint Bernard.
Toby Nylin – General Manager (WCBA)
Toby Nylin, the lead instructor and general manager at WCBA attended High School in Winsted, CT at Northwestern Regional District #7 where he lead his team to two league championships as a starting pitcher. During his senior year, Toby earned all-state honors while helping his team advance to the State Semifinals. After high school, Toby attended Southern Connecticut State University to study Communication and play baseball. His freshman year, Toby was part of a pitching staff that led the nation in Division II in ERA, and helped the Fighting Owls reach the College World Series. Nylin earned player of the week several times during his tenure as a starting pitcher for SCSU while compiling a 12-7 record in 41 appearances with an ERA of 3.51.
After college, Toby has spent time playing in the West Haven Twilight League. He has helped lead his team, A-Plus Plumbing to two straight league championships and trips to the NABF World Series in Louisville, KY. At WCBA, Toby specializes in pitching, hitting and fielding instruction to kids of all ages and loves to teach the finer points of these facets to young men aspiring to play at a collegiate level. Toby grew up in Barkhamsted, a small town in the Northwest hills of CT, and still lives there today.
Dan McNamara – Pro Tryout Coordinator
Dan McNamara is lead Pro Tryout Coordinator for all Carminucci Sports Group sponsors showcases. During the 2010 season, McNamara served dual roles as Bullpen Catcher and Bullpen Coach with the Brockton Rox of the Can-Am League. The Rox concluded with a 54-39 record in 2010 where Dan enjoyed his first taste of Professional Post-season baseball. McNamara has also coordinated professional tryouts and run various youth clinics through Carminucci Sports Group. Also in 2010, McNamara served as the hitting/infield coach for the Mercy College Mavericks, a Division II program in the East Coast Conference (ECC). McNamara helped lead Mercy to its first Conference Playoff Appearance in 20 years during the 2010 season.
McNamara started his professional baseball career late, signing a contract with the Texarkana Gunslingers of the Continental Baseball League at the age of twenty-five in 2009 out of IPB(International Performance Baseball) with the “Florida Select”. Previously, McNamara played one year at Mercy College and four years of semi-pro baseball in leagues in Hudson Valley, New York, and hit .429 in his final semi-pro season. Shortly after, Dan played at the American Baseball Institute in Clearwater, Florida, at Jack Russell Stadium(former Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies) where he had the privilege of playing with current major leaguers including Chris Coughlin (2009 NL Rookie of the Year) and Miguel Cairo (Cincinnati Reds). Most recently Dan played with Connecticut’s own Bridgeport Bluefish out of the Atlantic League which is considered the Triple-A of the Independent Minor Leagues. After his short tenure in Bridgeport Dan returned to his role with the Brockton Rox where his season was cut short due to injury.
At WCBA, McNamara specializes in teaching the game of baseball to today’s youth and instructing aspiring collegiate players and professionals through private lessons, group lessons, and clinics for all ages and ability level. McNamara grew up in Brewster, NY and currently resides in Yorktown, NY with his wife, Christine.
Matthew N. Kaufman, Esq – Director of Special Projects & Legal Counsel
Matt returns to the world of professional baseball after a lengthy absence, as the Director of Special Projects for Carminucci Sports Group.
A practicing attorney in New York, Matt brings an impressive list of credentials to CSG.
Matt has previously promoted professional wrestling throughout the Tri-State area, and has also served as a licensed matchmaker for numerous professional boxing promotions including “Star Boxing”, and has made several championship bouts.
Matt holds a Juris Doctorate from the Franklin Pierce Law Center (Concord, NH), a Masters of Professional Studies from The George Washington University (Washington, DC) and a Bachelors’ Degree from the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY).
Matt resides with his wife Marie in Ossining, NY.