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About Us
PRO ADVANTAGE
Baseball enters it’s 6th year of service to the baseball
world, you may ask how did we begin and what can we accomplish. The
center was founded by Major League catcher Matt Merullo, a much
respected and popular player, who in 1991 led the American league in
pinch hit appearances. Matt has many distinctions but as a New
Englander, two of his finest moments came when he went 2 for 2 with 2
RBI’s against Roger Clemens and also hitting a home run in Fenway Park
against Jeff Reardon, all with family friends and fans supporting him.
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His years in baseball convinced
him that players were developed, not just born. He realized that
to be proficient at baseball requires mastery in a set of intricate
skills and the self-assurance to make quick choices during complex
game situations. Matt should know, his Grandfather was a Major
Leaguer with the Chicago Cubs , and one of the most respected scouts
in the game of baseball. His father played professional baseball
with the Pirates organization, and now Matt. He learned the game
from the ground up, by playing many games incorporated with a daily
regimen of instruction and practice. Matt believes that players
learn better in smaller specialized groups, improve more rapidly
when relaxed and excelled when a non threatening atmosphere was
fostered.
“It is only
through a recipe of responsibility, dedication, discipline and hard
work that collectively, we achieve our dreams.”
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When Matt retired from Major
League Baseball, an idea was born to create an environment for
young players, dedicated to advancing their talents and
enhancing their appreciation for the game of baseball he so
loved. Today PRO ADVANTAGE baseball continues to grow
striving to build character, skills and well developed players,
in both the game of baseball and in life.
Matt and son
Nick at Twins Father Son Game. |
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About Our Staff
MATT MERULLO - Director of
Baseball Operations:
A member of the
1983 USA High School Team, Matt attended the University of North
Carolina. Matt was a Baseball America All American Prospect at the
University of North Carolina. As a member of TEAM USA Matt hit a
grand slam against the Japanese during the Intercontinental Cup for
a 6-4 victory. He played in the prestigious Cape Cod League for the
country’s top college players in 1984. Drafted by the Chicago White
Sox in the 7th round of the 86 draft, Matt went on to win
championships and a batting title while attaining All Star Status at
each minor league level. A backup catcher to Hall of Famer Carlton
Fisk Matt played 10 years at the Professional level and 6 in the
Major Leagues. Matt’s expertise covers all facets of the game. As a
major league catcher for three teams and over 16 years of
Professional Baseball, Matt has trained under numerous coaches.
Having successfully rehabilitated 1 knee and three elbow operations,
Matt knows about physical therapy and building strength from a
players perspective. His pitching/throwing development programs are
a direct result of the times spent with both players and coaches at
all levels of Professional Baseball. Rick Peterson Major League
Pitching Coach, formerly of the Oakland Athletics and currently with
the New York Mets is a close personal and professional friend and
they continually exchange thoughts on pitching and all changes in
theory. Currently in addition to his developmental work with
baseball players, Matt is an area Scout for the Arizona
Diamondbacks. This comes as no surprise to baseball enthusiasts as
Matt is the son of Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand Len “Boots” Merullo,
and the grandson of Lennie Merullo Sr, a legendary scout in the
Northeast, and former Major Leaguer with the Chicago Cubs’45 World
Series Team. Matt his wife Chris and their three children, Allie,
Nick and Carli live in Madison CT.
Matt's
Major League Stats. |
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