COACH
Joseph Mannarino – Founder & Head Instructor, Albany Softball Training
Joseph Mannarino is the founder of Albany Softball Training and a lifelong student and teacher of the game. A 3-year varsity starter at Guilderland High School, Joe graduated in 1990 after earning 1st and 2nd Team All-Area honors and being recruited by the Montreal Expos during the 1989/1990 season. He received professional playing opportunities from the San Diego Padres and the International Baseball League (IBL), and went on to compete at the collegiate level for Ramapo College and The College of Saint Rose.
Joe's playing career is marked by standout performances in summer leagues, including the Schenectady Blue Jays and the Albany Twilight League, where he posted a remarkable .600+ single-season batting average. Internationally, he was named MVP in Prague with a .446 average. His elite athleticism—reflected in a 6.71-second 60-yard dash—was matched by a deep understanding of the game, honed under the mentorship of Coach Larry Carr, former head coach of Coastal Carolina and hitting instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Coaching Philosophy
Today, Joe brings that experience into coaching and instruction. He currently serves as the JV Head Softball Coach at Albany High School and the 16U Head Coach for Westland Hills Travel Softball, with over 13 years of travel softball coaching experience. His coaching philosophy is built on “We Over Me”—a team-first mindset where leadership, accountability, and character drive performance. He believes leadership drives behavior, and behavior drives outcomes.
Joe strongly emphasizes the TNT mindset—Take No Talent—hustle, effort, preparation, and attention to detail. These non-negotiables require no athletic ability but create athletes who compete the right way. He focuses on daily improvement, using positive reinforcement, honest feedback, and video review to help players grow mentally and physically. While winning matters, Joe prioritizes “wins and learns” as opportunities for long-term development.
Outside the Fences
Family is everything to me. I’m a proud girl dad to three amazing daughters, and my wife Donna and I have been married for over two decades. Donna is a dance teacher at Albany High School and also owns The Drop Inn, a local dance studio, so our household has always been a mix of athletics, creativity, and a lot of energy.
Our oldest daughter, Angelina, is currently in Los Angeles pursuing her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Our middle daughter, Liza, is a sophomore at Caldwell University where she plays collegiate softball on both an academic and athletic scholarship. She was also a three-year starter at Guilderland High School before moving on to the college level. Our youngest, Natalia, plans to attend Aesthetic Institute this spring to pursue a career as an esthetician.
Watching my daughters chase their goals and work hard at what they love has been one of the greatest joys of my life. It’s also a big part of why coaching means so much to me. For me, coaching isn’t just about the game—it’s about mentoring young athletes, building their confidence, and helping them succeed both on and off the field.
