Meet The Team
Sam DiMatteo grew up in Center Township, PA, a suburban town west of Pittsburgh. Playing sports of all kinds were a constant throughout his upbringing, with thoughts of pro baseball always his driving force.
A 2005 graduate of Central Valley High school, Sam was offered the opportunity to attend California University of Pennsylvania to further pursue his baseball career. Sam chose to major in business marketing. After a very successful college career as a 2 time All-American outfielder, receiving many awards and breaking numerous school records, Sam was selected by the Washington Nationals to attend spring training in Melbourne, FL. Sam’s professional career route was not the easiest or most ideal path for one chasing the baseball dream. Sam played for various clubs at many levels for six years. After a many rigorous years of the baseball grind, a career ending injury is what ultimately lead Sam to make the transition from player to coach.
During his professional career, Sam also served as a coach and mentor for hundreds of youth in his hometown community. Much of the teaching and coaching was done in a low-income area with at-risk youth. This is what ultimately led to his vision of the SD Project.
Over the years Sam has been traveling all over the U.S. and abroad, trying to find young athletes whose hopes to stay involved with athletics are restricted by lack of financial support or battling disability.
In addition to managing the non-profit SD Project, Sam is currently coaching and teaching in Palm Springs, California; using the opportunity to pass his knowledge and passion down to the next generation just beginning their baseball journey
"It’s just how I am made up. I root for the underdog; I am a fan of the kid who isn't supposed to make it. " SD
Richie Serritella grew up in Elmhurst, IL which is a western
suburb of Chicago. He attended York high school where he was a
three sport athlete all four years, playing a variety of different
sports including football, basketball, baseball and wrestling.
After graduating high school Richie went on to attend Southern
Illinois University Carbondale. He decided to play club baseball
where he lead the team in every category and helped them go
onto The National Club Baseball Association World Series two
years in a row.
Richie went on to pursue his baseball dream after college and
traveled cross country for an open tryout in Alamogordo, NM.
This led to his first professional baseball contract with the White
Sands Pupfish in The Pecos League. This is where Sam and
Richie first crossed paths.
Richie went on to play four more years of professional baseball,
two of which were overseas in Europe and South America. He is
currently residing in Chicago and is passing on his passion of the
game to younger athletes at the Bulls/Sox Academy in Lisle, IL
where he is the head coach of the 15u travel team and gives
hitting and catching lessons to all ages.
Nick Schreiber attended Greencastle Antrim High school in south central Pennsylvania. He lettered in both baseball and basketball. In the fall of 2006 he met up with Sam for the first time, on the campus of California University of PA. Teammates for 4 season, they helped lead the Vulcans to the Conference Championship during their senior season. After rehabbing a shoulder surgery, Nick went on to pitch professionally for two and a half seasons. After compiling a 7-2 career record in the minors he retired and now makes a living as an airline pilot flying the Boeing 767 around the world.
“I’m honored to be a part of the SD project. Sam has a wonderful vision for this organization and I’m excited to see the difference he can make in many many kids lives”- Nick Schreiber