Interested in joining the Greenwich Cannons coaching staff?
2023 Cannons Coaching Staff:
Cannons Senior Head Coach - Mike AbateDirector of Baseball Instruction – Bobby Valentine’s Baseball Academy
Owner, Abate Training
One of the most celebrated athletes to come out of Fairfield County, Mike has had an illustrious baseball career that was cut short only by injury. Along with his valuable professional experience, Mike brings outstanding skills and an even more impressive baseball resume:
As a four-year starter at Norwalk High School, Mike was named to the All-Conference team three years in a row, while twice earning All-State recognition
After his career at Norwalk High, Mike was drafted by the California Angels, but he felt it was more important to continue his athletic development
Mike took his passion for baseball to Norwalk Community College where he quickly amassed a number of honors including included two-time Northeast Player of the Year, two-time First Team All-American, and 1998 Rawlings National Junior College Player of the Year
After setting a number of school records at NCC, Mike decided to sign with the Seattle Mariners to pursue his professional baseball dream. Mike played in the Mariners organization for three years before his career was cut short by injury.
After his professional career ended abruptly, Mike enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University where he did what many people would consider impossible. Showing the drive that made him such a phenomenal baseball player, Mike fulfilled his dream to play college football by first earning a position on the SCSU football team and subsequently becoming the starting quarterback
Not only did Mike make the successful transition to football, but he again demonstrated his significant athletic talents, twice making the All-Northeast 10 team, as well as finishing his two-year stint having shattered a number of school records
Mike then took his football passion to the next level, signing to play quarterback with the Manchester Wolves of the Arena Football League
In 2007 Mike began working at Bobby Valentines Sports academy. He has served as director and curriculum coordinator for BVSA since his arrival. Abate, along with his mentor Bobby Valentine, produced one of the most respected curriculum and training programs in the industry.
In 13 seasons as the Senior Cannons coach ,Mike has amassed a 270-89 record and earned the American legion coach of the year award for CT in 2008. His teams have also won zone/state and regional titles in 2008, while winning the zone again in 2011, 2012 and 2017. His amazing work caught the eye of the NY Mets organization, who hired him as a spring training hitting coach in 2014 and again in 2018. Mike has been professional Northeast scout for the Mets since 2015. Mike has also built his own business in "Abate training” where he continues to help athletes accomplish their goals on and off the baseball field. www.abatetraining.com
Cannons Senior Coach - Rich Sullivan
Cannons Senior Assistant Coach - Alex Loparco
2015 Greenwich High School Baseball Alumni - Captain of 2015 team
Back-to-back All FCIAC player during career at Greenwich High School
3-year starter for Senior Cannons
Standout All-Conference and Player of the Year during career at Western New England University
3-time All-CCC Shortstop
2018 conference player of the year
2018 second team All-New England SS
5th in Western New England history for hits, runs, and stolen bases
Named Captain as Junior and Senior
Joined Cannons coaching staff in 2019
Has helped previously with Cannons and high school off-season workouts
“I am involved with Greenwich baseball because the coaches and mentors I had throughout my playing career had a tremendous impact on my life both on and off the field. I love coaching because I am able to pay that forward and hopefully help the next generation of Greenwich baseball players. You will simply not find a group of coaches who care more for their players. This program is all about teaching kids the fundamentals and discipline it takes to succeed at a high level, in order for them to flourish later in life, as young men.”
Cannons Junior Head Coach - Frank Carbino
Greenwich High School Baseball 1985-1987
Varsity Captain 1987
University of Connecticut-Avery Point -1987-88
Won 1987 CSCC Championship
Babe Ruth Baseball Coach 1986-1990
13 Year Old All-Star Coach 1986-1990
Greenwich High Freshman Coach-2007
Greenwich High Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach-2008
Frank was born and raised in Greenwich. He currently lives in Greenwich with wife Lynn and their two daughters
Frank says "The reason I'm involved: Greenwich baseball, from little league through college, gave me memories that will last a lifetime. While I'll never forget my teammates, it was the coaches that really made the experience memorable. Some 30+ years later, those memories are still alive and laughed about today. My goal is to be that coach."
Cannons Junior Coach - Phil Tarantino
Head Coach of GHS Varsity 2014 -2016; JV Coach for 9 years
Played baseball at GHS 1991-93. Phil still holds records for scoring 40 runs in 23 games
Named All American Outfielder in 1993 and had a .423 batting average
Played baseball at Central Connecticut State University
Physical Education teacher at Western Middle School in Greenwich since 2002
Phil is proud of all he does to help players reach their goals --- his attention to detail, positive attitude and strong work ethic are evident in his coaching style and results.
Cannons Junior Assistant Coach - Joseph Urbano
Coach Urbano has been coaching baseball for 35 years. Before joining the Cannons, he coached his Stamford National Lione Little League teams to two championship series, winning one.
Coach Urbano has been part of the Greenwich Cannons program for the past 5 years. In addition, he has been a coach and administrator of the Greenwich High School (GHS) baseball and football programs for the last 10 years. He is also the GHS winter site director, coordinating events and managing schedules for all winter sports.
As a youngster, Coach Urbano played baseball in Bridgeport Pony League.
Cannons Prep Head Coach - Mike Moeller
B's Baseball Academy Coach
Greenwich High School Varsity Assistant Coach 4 years
Greenwich High School captain
Honorable Mention All American
Concordia College
NYCAC Rookie of the year
NYCAC Player of the year
2X All American
All time NCAA Div 2 leader for most career RBI: 279
All time NCAA Div 2 records: #3 most career HR: 66
All time NCAA Div 2 records #6 most career total bases: 531
Professional Independent league player for Adirondack Lumberjacks & Greensville Bluesman
Cannons Prep Coach - Christopher Halstead
Varsity Baseball, Softball, Football and Basketball coach for the past 25 years
High school 3 sport athlete at Pelham
Played College Football at Iona College
Currently Head Football Coach at Blind Brook High School, Rye Brook, NY
Cannons Prep Assistant Coach - Shawn Urbano
Cannons 13u Navy Head Coach - Mike Mora
Mike has been the Director of Cardinal Baseball Camp since 2002. He was head coach of GHS baseball for 16 seasons.
He was chosen as the FCIAC Baseball Coach and Greenwich Time Coach of the Year in 2004, and FCIAC Baseball Coach of the Year again in 2010 and 2012. During the 2011 Season, the GHS Baseball Program received the Umpire’s Sportsmanship Award. In 2012, the GHS Varsity team went 20-0 in the regular season, and the league honored Mike as the FCIAC’s Spring Sports Coach of the Year.
Coach Mora was the Assistant Baseball Coach at Manhattan College (Division I) for two years, while studying for his Master’s Degree.
Playing career: GHS class of 1990 All-FCIAC and All-State honors in football and baseball, GHS Baseball Captain 1989 & 1990. University of Vermont (Division I) class of 1994: selected as All-New England Division I player 1993 & 1994. UVM Baseball team Captain and MVP 1994. Inducted into UVM Hall of Fame in 2008.Professional experience: Played six years of minor league ball, with the Lancaster Scouts (1994), Albany Diamond Dogs (1995-1997), Adirondack Lumberjacks (1998), and Quebec Les Capitales (1999).
Certified in special education and physical education, and Health Education, Mike is in his 20th year as a teacher within the Greenwich Public Schools.
Cannons 13u Navy Coach - Andrew Coffey
Cannons 13u Assistant Coach - Sean Pratley
Cannons 13u Red Head Coach - John Woodring
Cardinal Baseball Camp LLC Counselor and head coach: 2010 – Present
Cal Ripken Baseball Coach Norwalk: 2006 – 2010
Cal Ripken Baseball Coach Greenwich: 1994 – 2001
Played Baseball at Springfield High School, Pa. – 2 year starter, Senior Captain
Sons Kevin and Kyle each played four years of baseball for GHS – Kevin Captain 2016, Kyle Captain 2018
Special Teams Coordinator – Greenwich High School Football 2016 – Present
