CBA BASEBALL STAFF
Owner
Michael Pirro
- Professional infield and hitting instructor
- Drafted out of High School by the San Francisco Giants (3B) 1984 21st Round
- 3x High School 1st Team Central New York (CNY) and Team MVP
- 1984 CNY Player of The Year and Named Honorary Captain of the 1st Team All-CNY
- Set a record senior season batting average of .600 with 9 HR’s and 25 BB’s
- JUCO 2X – 1st Team All-Region
- Played at Auburn University 1986-1987
- Batting Champion of the Northeast Collegiate League 1987 with a .438 average
- Scout San Franciso Giants – 4 years
- Scout Houston Astros – 3 years
- High school baseball coach for 15 years
- Coached/trained over 150 players who went on to play college and/or professional baseball
- Head coach of several top PG ranked teams at the following age levels: 18U, 17U, 16U, 14U, 13U, 12U, 11U
- Proven track record of dedication, development and success.
Staff
Matt Pirro
- Spent 3 years in the Washington Nationals system before retiring due to injury
- Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 21st round of the 2015 MLB Draft
- 3 Year starter at Wake Forest
- 2014 Cal Ripken League All Star & Named to the Top Prospect list
- 2013 Cape Cod League, Brewster Whitecaps
- 2012 Perfect Game Leage All Star & Named to the Top Prospect List
- 2x NYS Gatorade Player of the Year Runner Up
- 2011 Under Armour & Perfect Game Pre-Season All American
- Selected to the 18u Team USA 36 Man Roster
- 2010 Central New York Player of the Year
- 3x All State, Region, CNY, & League
- Owns Bishop Ludden High School single game strikeout record with 18k’s
Staff
Tommy Small
Tommy Small serves as the Program Director for the Charlotte Baseball Academy 2028 class and Head Coach of the 2028 National Elite team. Coach Small has been with CBA since its inception in 2023 assisting Coach Pirro with his inaugural team before starting the 2028 team.
Coach Small has been coaching at the high school level for 15 years, 12 of which have been as a Head Coach. He has coached at Mount Pleasant, North Rowan, Olympic, and Porter Ridge High Schools, where he accumulated over 120 career wins at the varsity level. Throughout his time as a head coach, Coach Small built a reputation for developing winning programs and producing players who excel both in their athletic careers and academically. Under his leadership, 34 players have signed National Letters of Intent to play at the collegiate level.
Outside of baseball, Coach Small resides in Concord and is married to Courtney Small, a former professional basketball player. The couple shares three children, Hayden, Colton, and Adelyn.
Staff
Riley Moonan
- 4-year starter (CF) at Division 1 Fairleigh Dickinson in the NEC
- Top 10 career stats in every major offensive category in FDU baseball history
- Varsity Baseball coach at Watertown High School in NY for 5 seasons
- 3 seasons as an assistant coach for the Watertown Rapids of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League
Staff
Mel Wearing
Wearing comes from a background in baseball spanning over 15 years professionally as a player and coach. Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1988 and 1989 he went on to play 6 years within the O’s farm system ending his stint with the Rochester Redwings of the International League. In 1998 coach Wearing was hired by the Bridgeport Bluefish in the 1998 inaugural Atlantic League season. He later went on to become the teams Hitting Instructor under the tutelage of Manager Willie Upshaw. Some of best managers coach Wearing has played under include Willie Upshaw, Duffy Dwyer, Chico Lind, Wally Moon, Mike Young, Don Buford, Jerry Narron, Bobby Tolland and Houston Jimenez.
Player highlights and accomplishments,
- West Haven High School Hall of Fame
- Connecticut State Player of the Year
- Virginia College Player of the Year
- Norfolk State University Hall of Fame
- Baltimore Orioles 1989 June Draft
- NCAA 1st Team All-American
- NCAA 2nd Team All –American
- Statistical Champion multiple years
- Most Valuable Player multiple years
- 8 Championships Rings
Staff
Jeff Sheets
- Head Coach
- A.L. Brown High School (1995-1998)
- East Carolina University (1998-2001)
- Coaching Experience:
- Assistant Coach | North Mecklenburg High School
- Varsity & Jr Varsity Baseball
- February 2017-May 2019
- Vice President of Baseball Operations | Lake Norman
- Little League
- February 2011-2022
- President | Lake Norman Baseball Club
- August 2013-2022
- Head Coach/Instructor |Canes Baseball
- 2019-2021
- Head Coach/Instructor |Charlotte Baseball Academy
- 2022-Present
- ACHIEVEMENTS:
- 4-year Varsity Letterman (1995-1998)
- 4 Time All-Conference Selection (1995-1998)
- All-State Selection (1997,1998)
- Most Valuable Player Award (1998)
- Golden Glove Award (1996-1998)
- Recipient of the Lug Leazer Community Award (1998)
- Recipient of the Dixie Youth Baseball Scholarship (1998)
- Head Coach / Assistant Coach Varsity, Jr Varsity Baseball,
- Showcase, Little League, Youth Programs (2011-2019)
- Head Coach/Instructor CBA National (2022-Present)
Staff
Rick Best
To Follow
Staff
Bryant Williams
- Assistant Head Coach Fairfield Central High School
- USC Sumter
- 2nd Team All-American
Staff
Greg Garcia
To Follow
Staff
Andy Sutter
Andy Sutter began his coaching career in 1995 at La Salle Catholic High School in Wyndmoor, PA, where he played a key role in developing the running backs for the school’s back-to-back Catholic League Championship teams under legendary coach Joe Colistra.
After relocating to Florida, Coach Sutter transitioned into baseball, managing the All-American Pride travel baseball team for four years. His commitment to player development continued with the Diamond Dawg baseball organization, where he served as an assistant coach for 12 years before stepping into the role of 14U manager for the past two years.
In addition to his travel baseball experience, Coach Sutter has been a key figure at Trinity, spending four years as a varsity assistant coach before taking over as head coach for the past three seasons. His leadership and coaching excellence were recognized immediately, as he earned the district’s Coach of the Year award in his first season at the helm.
With decades of experience across multiple levels of competition, Coach Sutter brings a wealth of knowledge, a strong track record of success, and a deep passion for developing young athletes.
Staff
Ryan McElhinny
To Follow
Staff
Tyler Finley
To Follow
Staff
LJ Hoes
LJ Hoes is a former professional baseball player who spent time as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his versatility and strong work ethic, Hoes played for multiple teams during his career, including the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros.
A native of Washington, DC, Hoes was a standout in high school before being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He quickly made a name for himself in the minors with his solid bat, keen eye at the plate, and ability to play multiple outfield positions. His dedication to refining his craft earned him a spot on the Orioles' major league roster in 2012.
Hoes made his MLB debut in 2012, with the Orioles and went on to play in both the outfield and as a utility player. Later in his career, he joined the Houston Astros, where he continued to showcase his defensive skills and batting discipline. Hoes left a lasting impact on both teams and their fanbases.
After retiring from professional baseball, Hoes has remained active in the sport, engaging with the community and mentoring the next generation of players.