Our coaching staff
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated coaches, who bring many years of teamwork and experience to our players.
Danny Mercado
Program Leader and Coach 14U, 13U
Kansas City Royals
Detriot Tigers
San Juan Metros- Winter League
Assistant Coach University of Tampa
Hitting/Infield Coach
Summer College Baseball League 2023
Nyack College/Alliance University
At the University of Tampa, he's an influential figure, nurturing talents to meet their true potential. His success extends beyond campus, leading the prolific travel baseball organization, the Isotopes. Under Mercado’s guidance, the Isotopes have implemented an effective player development system that will consistently propel athletes to collegiate and professional ranks. Mercado's dedication to individualized growth and development, combined with his innovative training techniques, have been instrumental in creating a pipeline of elite players. Beyond developing exceptional athletes, his organization fosters core values like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Coach Mercado and the Isotopes are not just shaping great players, but shaping the future of baseball.
Mike Veronesi
Program Leader and Coach 14U, 13U
Mike grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY inside of a baseball family with his All-American (University of Bridgeport) father who ended up with a silver medal playing for the United States in Fast-Pitch Softball. Mike led Arlington High School in hitting earning the Cecil Kinard award while playing SS. He then attended Dutchess Community College playing 2B and 3B where his combined teams went 64-17 and earned a birth to the NJCAA Division 1 World Series in Grand Junction, CO. He then attended and played for Binghamton University helping to lead his team as a starting infielder and earning “All ECAC”, and “All SUNYAC” honors and was awarded the team MVP his senior year. Mike had a few MLB tryouts and went on to participate in organized adult and semi-pro ball, winning many championships throughout the country. He was inducted into the Dutchess County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018 and continues to travel and play with organized adult teams. He has also coached all levels of Baseball from college baseball through the lowest level of Little League over the past 30 years. Mike also founded the Foster Care Athletic Fund which empowers children in the Foster Care system through team sports.
Lee Carilli
Assistant Coach
A recent transplant to Dunedin in Pinellas County, Lee Carilli hails from Putnam County in the state of NY. Lee has been a player/manager for adult men’s baseball in the MSBL for 15 years, having won 5 Championships in Cooperstown with his Isotopes Team; and one MSBL National Tournament with the same in 2019 in West Palm Beach. In his Career, Lee has thrown over 3000 Innings as a Pitcher, and competed with and against, many former minor and major league ballplayers. His coaching philosophy is to utilize a player’s strengths, and to work diligently on converting any weaknesses into competitive tools. Locally, Lee has been working with young people to improve all aspects of their game from approach to execution.
Tico Mota
Assistant Coach
Tico grew up playing baseball in NY before coming to FL and playing MS & HS ball. He has eight years of coaching experience to include multiple certifications in physical training to get players ready for any position. Tico has a passion for teaching/coaching and is a certified instructor in the state of Florida. He is currently responsible for the 12U Isotopes Summer team.
Vince Babyak
Assistant Coach
Vince grew up in Youngstown Ohio and excelled at football, basketball and baseball in High School. His top sport though was Boxing where he was a 3 time Golden Glove Champion out of the Paterno AC Gym. Vince has been leading and assisting young athletes for the past 10 years. He is extremely focused on instilling teamwork, discipline and how to adapt and overcome challenges on or off the ballfield. Vince has assisted both the 12U and 13U team during this summer session.
"It ain't about how hard you're hit, it's about how you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done." -Rocky Balboa
Danny Sahno
Administration/Staff and Dog Whisperer:
Danny is responsible for the day to day administrative aspect of the Isotopes. This includes all tournament participaion/scheduling and field/facility scheduling throughout the year.
Lonnie Veasley
Admin and Treasurer
