Home of the 5 Star Mafia01Baseball & Softball Instruction

Take Your Game To The Next Level

Our professional instructors help you refine your skills on and off the field, for any skill level, age 5 through professional. We offer hitting, pitching, fielding, and catching lessons for both baseball and softball.

Fall 2026 Schedules

Fall 2026 schedules are coming soon — check back here or reach out for the latest updates.

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Strength & Speed Training

Build explosive strength and speed with online training programs designed to boost your athletic performance on and off the field.

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Player Development & Recruiting

VALD and Rapsodo-backed assessments paired with real scouting evaluation to help players get seen by college programs.

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1985
Legacy Dating Back To
30+
Years Combined Coaching Experience
9U–17U
Travel Teams
7,500
Sq. Ft. Training Facility
02Who We Are

5 Star National – Florida

5 Star National – Florida is dedicated to helping young baseball players reach their maximum potential in the game.

We pride ourselves on teaching the game the right way — proper mechanics, goal setting, and mental training.

Our coaches bring decades of combined professional playing and coaching experience, and we love nothing more than helping athletes succeed.

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Become A 5 Star Member!

Discounts on lessons. Plus, free cage rentals!

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035 Star Staff

Meet Our Team

Joe Conti

Joe Conti

Owner

Joe Conti has been the owner of 5 Star Baseball Academy since 2017, overseeing the development of more than 1,500 travel baseball players and helping guide 150+ athletes to college commitments. He is Rapsodo Certified in both hitting and pitching and Driveline Certified in hitting and pitching. Joe also serves as a 5 Star National Recruiting Director and National Coach, helping identify, develop, and create opportunities for players at the next level.

Patrick Schuster

Patrick Schuster

General Manager

Patrick Schuster is a former professional pitcher, drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of high school in Holiday, FL, turning down a commitment to the University of Florida to sign. He went on to pitch in the major leagues for both the Oakland Athletics and the Philadelphia Phillies. Patrick brings that pro-level experience and perspective to every player he works with at 5 Star National.

BJ Leach

BJ Leach

Facility Manager / Pitching Instructor

BJ Leach brings decades of baseball experience, leadership, and service to the Five Star staff. A former college pitcher at Florida Southern who went on to play professionally, BJ began his professional baseball career in the Boston Red Sox organization before transitioning into public service with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. After retiring from law enforcement, BJ returned to the game he has been passionate about throughout his life, joining Five Star as a Facility Manager and Pitching Instructor. Drawing from his experience competing at the collegiate and professional levels, BJ is committed to giving back to the community by helping young athletes develop their skills, confidence, discipline, and understanding of the game.

Paul Coumoulos

Paul Coumoulos

Operations Manager

Paul Coumoulos starred at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, earning four-time All-County first team honors and a Perfect Game Florida Region Honorable Mention All-American selection before committing to play college baseball at the College of Central Florida. Now Operations Manager at 5 Star National, Paul draws on his own playing background to help hitters at every level sharpen their swing and approach at the plate.

Mike Butler

Mike Butler

CSCS | Public Speaker | Podcaster | Sports Performance Coach

Michael "Trainer Mike" Butler, CSCS, is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA with a degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology from Florida State University. His background spans sports performance and athletic development, professional softball strength and conditioning, collegiate strength and conditioning, and time as a minor league baseball strength coach.

Teran Whalen

Teran Whalen

Head of Strength & Conditioning

A United States Marine Corps veteran with four years of service, Teran brings the same discipline, accountability, and commitment to excellence into developing athletes. Since transitioning out of the military, he has dedicated himself to strength and conditioning and performance development, with a focus on helping athletes become stronger, faster, more explosive, and more confident in their abilities. Currently pursuing his CSCS certification with plans to earn a Master's degree in Strength and Conditioning, Teran is committed to continually advancing his knowledge and applying proven training principles to every athlete he works with. His mission goes beyond improving performance—it's about developing disciplined, resilient athletes who are prepared to compete at a high level and carry those qualities with them on and off the field.

Liana Dimovski

Liana Dimovski

Social Media Manager / Assistant Trainer

Liana brings a strong background in athletics and youth development to the Five Star team. A former high school softball player, Liana currently attends the University of South Florida, where she is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Anthropology. She also spent five years working within the Toronto Blue Jays organization, gaining valuable experience in a professional baseball environment. At Five Star, Liana manages social media and serves as an assistant trainer for athletes 14U and younger. Her athletic background, energy, and ability to connect with young players help create a positive environment where athletes can build confidence, develop their skills, and grow their love for the game.

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04Our Facility

5 Star Facilities

7,500 square feet built for serious training — batting cages, pitching tunnels, and a full conditioning gym.

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05Data-Driven Development

Advanced Analytics

Design your optimal swing or dial in your pitching mechanics in a single session, with video playback and instant data feedback. Built for coaches and players alike, our player profiles allow for ongoing monitoring even away from the facility.

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