Triple Crown Sports Academy is a non-profit (501c3) youth baseball organization founded by former MLB catcher and Coach with Cleveland Indians by Omir Santos and his wife Gelitza. OUR PROGRAMS Triple Crown Sports Academy programs are designed to build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices, fitness and sports learning and development.  Triple Crown Sports Academy wants to impact the live of children and youth through the utilization of sports, health and educational programming.

TRIPLE CROWN SPORTS ACADEMY 16U WELCOMES JOSHUA TO THE LIONS FAMILY 

LIONS STAND UP TO CANCER AND EVERYONE WHO HAS FAUGHT THE BATTLE

(AKRON, OHIO) January 17, 2017 - The Cleveland Indians have announced the organization's staff alignment within its Player Development System for the 2017 season, and former Akron outfielder Mark Budzinski will be the new Akron RubberDucks manager.

Budzinski will be joined on the field staff by pitching coach Tony Arnold, hitting coach Johnny Narron, and bench coach Omir Santos. The support staff will include trainer Jeremy Heller and a strength and conditioning coach who has yet to be named. Of that group, only Arnold and Heller return from last season's championship club.

Santos, 35, is in his second season with the Indians' Player Development Department after serving as a coach with Triple-A Columbus in 2016, his first as a professional coach. Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 21st round of the June 2001 draft, Santos had a 12-year professional career as a catcher, including 122 games at the Major League level over five seasons, hitting .248 with seven home runs and 41 runs batted in. He appeared in one game for Cleveland in 2013 and 62 games for Columbus that season. He retired following the 2014 season where he was a catcher with Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and defending Eastern League champions. The 2017 season will be the franchise's 21st since moving to Akron and its fourth since becoming the RubberDucks. The 20th year of Canal Park kicks off with the Home Opener on Thursday, April 6, at 6:35 p.m. vs. Bowie Baysox.

For more information about the team, please visit the RubberDucks' website.

We would like to give special thanks to my friend, Gold Glove and All-Star, Franciso Lindor, for making time to speak to Triple Crown Sports Academy members. Thank you for inspiring our kids with a question/answer session, sharing your personal experiences and demonstrating your amazing batting skills.