About

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Daniel Almonte brings a lifetime of baseball and softball experience to his teaching, combining a successful playing career with more than two decades of coaching, instruction, and player development. A Central New York native, Dan has experienced the game from nearly every perspective — as a high school standout, Division I player, Cape Cod Baseball League competitor, professional player, high school coach, travel coach, and private instructor.

His approach to instruction is built on a simple philosophy: develop the player, not just the skill. Dan believes that strong fundamentals, baseball IQ, confidence, preparation, and a competitive mindset are the foundation for long-term success. His goal is to help each athlete understand not only how to perform a skill, but why it matters and how it translates to the game.

Over the years, Dan has worked with athletes ranging from young players learning the fundamentals to advanced high school and travel athletes pursuing opportunities at the collegiate level. He takes pride in creating an environment where players are challenged, supported, and held accountable while developing the confidence to compete at their highest level.

At The Sports Yard, Dan specializes in hitting, catching, throwing, fielding, defensive development, baseball IQ, and position-specific instruction. His experience as both a player and coach allows him to bring a unique perspective to training and provide athletes with practical instruction that translates directly to game situations.

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Playing Career

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Professional 

1997 Player, St. Paul Saints, Northern League, St. Paul, Minnesota1995-1996 Player, Long Beach State University, California, Baseball America’s #1 College Baseball Transfer

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College

1995 Player, Cape Cod College Summer Baseball League (SS)1992-1995 Player, Old Dominion University, 1994 2nd Team All-CAA (SS), CAA Champions 1994, 1995, Eastern Regionals at Clemson University 1994, Atlantic 1 Regionals at Florida State University 1995, One of Baseball America’s Players to watch in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)

High School

1990-1992 Player, Varsity Baseball ESM H.S. East Syracuse, NY, 1st Team All-League (SS) 1991/1992, Honorable Mention All-League (SS)
1990, Most Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award 1992, Only Male Athlete in Section III to make 1st Team in Football, Basketball and Baseball.​​Holds six school records in baseball including career hits, stolen bases and runs. Hit .507 in 1992

Awards:
The East Syracuse Minoa High School Athletic Hall of Fame 2021
#4 ESM Greatest 52 Athlete Since 1975
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https://www.syracuse.com/sports/g66l-2019/05/8e7d2b85e96736/the-52-greatest-athletes-in-east-syracuse-minoa-history.html

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Past Coaching Experience

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2019- Present : The Sports Yard Dirtbags and Diamonds Head Coach
2021-2023 ESM Varsity Softball Head Coach

2015-2019 ESM Varsity Baseball Coach
2010-2018 Baseball/Softball Hitting, Catching, Fielding Instructor, Baseball U NY Head Coach.
2008 Head Modified Coach, Lyncourt School, Syracuse, NY
2008 Graduated with a Master's Degree in Education Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix
2005-2007 Assistant Varsity Coach, Bethel H.S. Hampton, Virginia, District Tournament Champions
2003-2004 Coach, Freshman Baseball, ESM, East Syracuse, NY
2001 Graduated from Cortland University with a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education (K-12

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Dan's ultimate goal is to help athletes become better players, better teammates, and more confident competitors — while giving them the tools and understanding necessary to take their game to the next level.