Directors
Mike Giovanditto
President & Director of Recruiting
Mike has had aspirations to develop a unique baseball organization here in New Hampshire for many years. One that’s predominant focus is on skills training personal/team development and growth, rather than strictly playing in tournaments with little focus on practice.
Mike has been involved in all aspects of baseball. His playing resume includes high school, college and currently moonlighting for the local GSBL team, The Winnipesaukee Muskrats. Mike was fortunate enough to tryout for the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves in his early years.
Mike’s coaching career started in 2002 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. It was then he discovered his passion for coaching. Mike has coached T-Ball through Collegiate levels. He has been involved in the Gilford Youth Baseball Organization for 12 years; serving 8 years as President or Vice President as well as coaching all 12. He has coached 8 different District Championship 10U and 12U teams during his tenure. Along with his Gilford Youth Baseball roles, he serves as an Assistant State Commissioner for New Hampshire Cal Ripken. In Spring 2025, Mike will be entering his fourth season as the Varsity Head Coach for Gilford High School.
Aside from baseball, Mike is a small business owner and a family man, with a household of 7. With that said, he knows a thing or two about wrangling our youth and bringing them together as one. Mike is looking for forward to a successful future with the NHBA’s Nighthawks.
Mike Bryant
Vice President & Director of Scouting
Coach Bryant is the co-founder of the New Hampshire Baseball Academy, home to the NH Nighthawks. He has been coaching baseball since the age of 14 in both Maine and New Hampshire. Coach Bryant’s 35 year coaching career spans from players of the ages 4-18, including Little League, Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, AAU, and high school baseball. His career includes coaching multiple All Stars teams in both the 10U and 12U divisions of Gilford Cal Ripken Baseball while currently coaching the Gilford High School Varsity baseball team. Coach Bryant has helped capture 9 straight NH District 2 championships for Gilford Cal Ripken and has helped lead Gilford High School baseball to three straight playoff appearances. His passion for the game was instilled by his late father, Dennis “Bear” Bryant, who’s message of “leave it better than you found it” has contributed in strengthening multiple baseball communities, but more importantly, strengthening the lives of his players. Coach Bryant focuses on building kids not just to be better players on the diamond, but shaping their lives into being more positive, disciplined and hardworking versions of themselves off the field. His attention to detail and knowledge of the game makes him an asset to the growth of all players at all levels. Coach Bryant currently resides in Gilford, NH with his wife, Kate, daughter, Bella, and dog, Kobe.
Dan
Gilman
Director of Marketing & Fundraising
Coach Gilman began his baseball coaching career at age 18 and has been involved in the game his entire life as both a player and coach. A lifelong student of baseball, he is often found watching, studying, and discussing the game. He has coached and mentored youth players at every level, from T-ball through 17U Babe Ruth. In 2024, Coach Gilman was selected as head coach of the 17U Nighthawks and led the team to the playoffs in the organization’s inaugural season. Beyond baseball, Coach Gilman has dedicated much of his adult life to public service. He served 12 years in the United States Army, including overseas service during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is also a nationally registered EMT, firefighter, and police officer. Coach Gilman resides with his wife, Allison, and their son, Aidan, and values the balance of family, service, and coaching.
Bella
Bryant
Social Media Director
Bella Bryant is currently a student at Gilford High School who will pursue a sports communications and media degree in college. Bella has spent countless hours supporting multiple Gilford Varsity Baseball teams as their manager and fundraiser coordinator. Bella is widely known for announcing, creating, and playing walk up music for a multitude of sporting and community events. Bella’s experiences include announcing at the Baseball Hall of Fame at Double Day Field in Cooperstown, NY and numerous Cal Ripken Baseball tournaments around the state. Bella brings a wealth of experience to the New Hampshire Baseball Academy in the area of social media as she runs websites, media pages, and social media platforms for organizations like Gilford High School Baseball, Gilford Cal Ripken Youth Baseball, Speaking in Taps Dance Company and now the New Hampshire Baseball Academy. Outside of baseball, Bella is a dedicated competition dancer, teacher, and captain at various dance studios and companies around New England.
