Meet the owners
At our core, we’re driven to sculpt raw talent into elite athletes, paving their way to greatness one swing and one pitch at a time.
The 518 Clubhouse is a welcoming space for athletes of all levels to pursue their goals, offering essential tools for growth in baseball & Softball. It focuses on both the mental and physical aspects of the sport, helping athletes build a sustainable skill set for continuous improvement. The clubhouse fosters a supportive training culture defined by hard work, dedication, and positive reinforcement from coaches and peers.
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Co-Owner
Franklin Miller, is one of the driving forces behind the 518 Clubhouse. As an owner, his mission is to share the wealth of knowledge and experience he has accumulated over a lifetime immersed in baseball, guiding athletes toward the next stage of their athletic careers. Frank’s journey in the sport began humbly as an un-recruited high school athlete from Ballston Spa High School, where he threw in the mid-70s. His freshman year of college brought a harsh reality check when he was cut from the team during a walk-on attempt. Undeterred, Frank channeled that setback into a relentless pursuit of improvement.
Transferring to Hudson Valley Community College, he played under a coach who introduced DVD workout videos—an experience that sparked a transformation. That spring, Frank returned to the mound throwing 83+ mph, enjoyed a standout season, and earned a spot playing Division II baseball at Dominican College. He also spent two summers pitching in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, as well as a summer with the East Texas PumpJacks of the TCL, where he was named a TCL all-star and to the All-TCL team at the culmination of the season. It was there that his passion for strength training took root, pushing his pitching velocity to peak at 88 mph. His playing career culminated at the Division I level with Sacred Heart University, solidifying his belief that strength and conditioning were key to unlocking athletic potential.
Determined to turn his passion into a profession, Frank pursued a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition, becoming a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist along the way. While at Sacred Heart, he dove into practical experience, completing three internships and working part-time as a personal trainer at LA Fitness. He contributed to the Pioneer Performance Center, assisting in athlete testing, monitoring, and research in their human performance and biomechanics labs. Frank also interned in the university’s weight room, supporting its 32 Division I athletic teams, and spent time at Advanced Therapy and Performance in Connecticut, a renowned facility focused on enhancing performance and reducing injury risk, especially for throwing athletes.
Since completing his education, Frank has worked in the private sector, training high school, college, and professional athletes—primarily baseball players. His summers have been spent coaching in collegiate leagues, including a notable stint as the pitching coach for the 2019 NECBL Champion Keene Swamp Bats. He also coached two summers in the VBCBL, he spent the COVID summer of 2020, in the HRCBL, and the summer of 2023 as the pitching coach for the Albany Dutchmen of the PGCBL.
The 518 Clubhouse, a vision over eight years in the making, represents the culmination of Frank and Danny’s journies. Now open in Latham, the 518 Clubhouse is where he hopes to empower athletes with the tools and insights that shaped his own career. Frank looks forward to welcoming the community through its doors and continuing his legacy of building stronger, smarter athletes.
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Co-Owner
Danny Barbero is a lifelong baseball enthusiast whose remarkable journey in the sport has shaped him into an inspiring facility owner, coach, and mentor. His passion for baseball ignited during his high school years, where he dominated the field with an impressive .600 batting average and 18 home runs. After high school, Danny attended Fulton Montgomery Community College, earning 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors. He later transferred to Hudson Valley Community College, where he etched his name in the record books with a historic collegiate career. At Hudson Valley, Danny batted .503, amassing a program-record 68 hits, 8 home runs, 11 triples, and 48 RBIs, while being named Region 3 Player of the Year.
Following his collegiate success, Danny pursued a professional baseball career, playing for seven teams across the CanAm League, American Association, and Atlantic League. His pro tenure included stints with the Pittsfield Colonials, Capitales de Québec, Brockton Rox, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Sioux Falls Pheasants, Bridgeport Bluefish, and Newark Bears. After retiring from professional play, Danny channeled his expertise into coaching and continued to compete in the Albany Twilight League, where his exceptional contributions earned him a well-deserved spot in the Albany Twilight League Hall of Fame.
Today, Danny remains an active player while dedicating himself to developing the next generation of baseball talent. With over 60 athletes trained under his guidance advancing to college baseball, his impact is undeniable. In 2021, Danny founded Barbero Hitters Club, a premier facility designed to help hitters refine their skills and elevate their game. Building on that success, he opened the 518 Clubhouse in 2024, a state-of-the-art training hub where he continues to mentor elite athletes, focusing on both the mental and physical aspects of baseball to help them become the best versions of themselves.
