Growing up, Clemente Sosa didn¡¯t have access to a facility like the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota.

It¡¯s one of the reasons he appreciates coaching at the Academy today.

¡°I was unable play baseball and get instructions due to our financial situation until I was 14 years old. I want to give young boys the opportunity to get training and learn the game regardless of their financial situation,¡± Sosa said.

The Bronx native brings a wealth of baseball and life experience to his role at the Academy, having played four years of Division I baseball at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.

In 1993, the pitcher and outfielder was being scouted by New York Mets scout Ramon Pe?a and attended the club¡¯s baseball academy in the Dominican Republic for three months looking to sign a professional contract.

Although he didn¡¯t sign a professional contract, that wasn¡¯t the end of Sosa¡¯s days playing the game.

¡°I received my BA degree in Criminal Justice. Became a Police Officer in 1996 for NYPD and played 19 years with the NYPD Baseball team,¡± Sosa recounted.

As a detective in the New York Police Department, Sosa conducted homicide investigations and worked other major crimes. As a pitcher for New York¡¯s Finest Baseball Club, Sosa competed with fellow New York police officers in games and tournaments across the country for 18 years.

After he retired, baseball and weather brought Sosa to Texas. He took the job at the Academy and became an assistant coach at Fort Worth Christian School, where he was promoted to head coach after the 2018 season.

In both roles, he¡¯s working to share important lessons with his athletes.

¡°Life is very similar to the game of baseball. In life some choices will not be favorable for them, but they have to make the adjustments and keep pushing forward. In baseball, some choices will result in losing a game. They have to make an adjustment and keep pushing forward,¡± Sosa said.

18U Softball Training Added to Fall Slate

The Academy will host an 18U Softball Training program on Wednesdays beginning Oct. 14 and running through Nov. 4. Programming will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The softball programming joins the Academy¡¯s previously announce fall RBI league as options for softball players to continue honing their skills. Games for the RBI league are slated to begin Oct. 12. Dallas Parks and Rec will host the fall season of RBI baseball.

For 18U baseball players, programming will begin Oct. 12 and run through Nov. 2. Intermediate baseball will be held on Monday evenings, and advanced baseball on Tuesday evenings.

Registration is available at texasrangersya.leagueapps.com.

12U Fall Training Program Underway

The Academy¡¯s 12U Fall Training program is now underway and runs through Oct. 29.

Mondays are geared towards advanced baseball, Tuesdays focus on intermediate baseball, Wednesdays are devoted to 12U and 9U softball, while Thursdays are tailored for 9U advanced and intermediate baseball.

Programming follows all of MLB¡¯s return to play guidelines with the goal of keeping athletes, coaches, and staff safe and healthy.

Registration is available at texasrangersya.leagueapps.com.

West Dallas Little League

Mercy Street Dallas¡¯s West Dallas Little League opened play Monday, Sept. 21.

Games are being played at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex. Registration is available at mercystreetdallas.org.

Buckner Virtual Programming

Academy athletes are continuing to take part in virtual classes offered by Buckner International¡¯s Family Hope Center at the Rangers MLB Youth Academy. Online classes in both English and Spanish are being offered, while in-person classes will resume at a future date.