Coaching Staff

Lead Instructor - Paul Moviel

Coach Paul Moviel was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and was a 2001 graduate from Berea High School. At Berea High, Paul was an 11 year varsity letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. After turning down going pro out of high school for baseball, Paul went to play baseball in Chicago, IL at Kishwaukee College. Paul played and started his first two years as a pitcher and first baseman for the Cougars. After his sophomore year Paul had been drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2003 Major League draft and decided to leave school and pursue his pro career. Paul went on to play 4 years with the White Sox and was noted after coming back from Tommy John surgery as one of the top prospects in the White Sox organization his last two years. Paul was in big league camp his last two years with the White Sox, then was traded to Tampa Bay in the winter of 2006. Paul competed in big league camp with the Rays in 2007, but then was put on the DL for an injury and decided to end his career after that season. In 2008 Paul got hired by the United States Secret Service and served on the Presidential Protection Detail with President Obama until May of 2013. When Paul was in Washington, DC he had the opportunity to coach varsity baseball at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA with his brother Greg for 3 years. Greg Moviel and Scott Moviel, which are Paul's two younger brothers both played pro baseball as well. Greg Moviel played with the Seattle Mariners as a pitcher, and his youngest brother Scott Moviel was a second round draft pick out of high school by the New York Mets.

Team Manager and 18U Head Coach Ryan Lanigan

Coach Lanigan began the Ohio Pitbulls Baseball organization in the fall of 2016. Since that one 14/15U team the Pitbulls program has grown tremendously. The organization will field 7 boy's baseball teams and 1 girl's fastpitch team for the 2021 season. Coach Lanigan has coached baseball for over 12 years and coached for multiple club teams before beginning the Ohio Pitbulls Baseball organization. Coach Lanigan has coached the 18U team for four years and has coached multiple players who have moved on to play at the college level. In addition he has also coached at the 16U, 15U, and 14U divisions. The Pitbulls program is a family operated organization and Joy and Katelyn Lanigan are also involved with the operations.

16U Coach - Dominic Santora

Coach Santora has been a part of the Pitbulls family for 4 years where he has coached multiple age groups and divisions throughout his time with us. He was an athletic director for 15yrs at Our Lady of Mt Carmel where he also coached multiple sports. He's also coached for other travel organizations for multiple years and has a wealth of knowledge regarding the game and a love for the sport.

12U Coach - Steven Ward

Coach Ward played 3 years for Chardon High School before going to Lakeland Community College. After college he returned to the Hilltoppers to coach. Steven has been an assistant/pitching coach for the Chardon Hilltoppers and has also spent 7 years as an umpire. Coach Ward is in his 3rd year with the organization.

15U Coach - Peter Russo

Coach Russo is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School. After high school Peter attended Cleveland State University where he played outfield and pitched for the CSU Viking Club Team. He also served as Club Secretary and Coach while he was there. After college he turned his focus to coaching where he coached as Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach for the Richmond Hts High School Varsity Baseball Team. Peter has also coached for the City of Middleburg Hts and is in his 3rd year with the organization.

14U Coach - Jeff Corniello

Coach Corniello has 24 years of coaching experience in multiple sports. The last 4 years he has coached for travel baseball programs in Northeast Ohio. Coach Corniello is in his second year with the organization and strives to teach the players the game on the field and life lessons off the field.

12U Coach - Zach Holly

Coach Holly is a graduate of North Olmsted High School where he played catcher for four years. Coach Holly also played club ball for many years and contributed to the 18U Ohio Pitbulls division winning team in 2018. Coach Holly is in his third year with the organization.

13U Coach - Rich Zatta

Coach Zatta is in his first year with the organization but brings with him a great deal of experience. On top of coaching for other club teams in Northeast Ohio Coach Zatta comes to us with a great playing resume. Coach won all conference, conference MVP, and All Ohio awards during his time at St. Peter Chanel High School. He went on to play at Cleveland State University where he earned 2nd Team All Conference honors. Coach Zatta also pitched for the Kentucky Rifles in the Frontier League