Justin has been instrumental in my development as a player over the last 10 years. His attention to detail has always stood out. Early on, he identified areas of the game that I was good at, and what I could improve on. With his personal approach to coaching, we were able to really harness and refine my individual strengths as a player. That has become a primary focus in not only training, but my career. Justin understands what it takes to play this game at an elite level and I would highly recommend him to any player that is looking to get the most out of themself
Playing for the Stars is what got me ready to play at the collegiate level. Justin and the coaches constantly pushed me and shared their knowledge with me. Having the workouts and Driveline programs that they offer was definitely beneficial and I would not be where I am now without it all. My favorite part of the Stars was the coahces constantly staying up to date with the new developments in the game and implementing things such as Driveline and now HitTrax into the program. Playing for the Stars gave me the opportunity to succeed..
We are the parents of two boys who have received outstanding training and development from The Academy Stars baseball program. Our oldest began as a 11u player and is currently playing in college. His brother began as a 10u player and is currently in his last year with the Stars, on track to be ready for college. The boys have participated in various trainings, lessons and programs offered at The Academy in addition to their regular season schedules and we’ve found that the cost to us has been rather affordable compared to some other programs. While we were looking for experienced instructors and coaches at the start, we also wanted a program that promoted a sense of belonging, encouraged strong character and provided positive role models to help the boys grow into the young men they are today. The boys have both found success beyond our expectations and have made lifelong friendships during their years with The Academy. We are incredibly proud of both of our boys and thank everyone at The Academy for their influence on them along the way!
Since joining the Academy Stars organization in 2018 we could not be happier with Justin and his wonderful staff. From the one on one instructional offerings to the well organized practices, Driveline and now the Hit Trax tool, it has reinforced our decision in joining the Academy. With already having prior knowledge of the Stars organization and watching games through our nephews we looked forward to working with Justin and his staff. We are excited to watch Josh improve as a ballplayer and as an individual on and off the field. Keep up the great work!
The Academy provided me, second to none, development of my physical skill set as well as my mental approach to the game. Playing for the Stars placed me into a competitive, college like culture and prepared me for playing at the next level. Coach Justin Santonocito helped me through every step of the recruitment process and helped to advise me through that stressful time. Without the Academy I would not be where I am today as a player, as a student, and most importablty as a person.
As both a player and coach at The Academy, I have a unique perspective of the benefits that the program has to offer. As a player, I was provided the training and instruction that allowed me to develop the necessary skills to play at a collegiate level. The training I received at The Academy exposed me to professional drills, techniques, and ideas that I never would have experienced if I played in another organization. Even more, the coaching staff created an environment where instructors and players of all ages worked collaboratively. Not only did I see my performance on the field improve, but my respect and knowledge for the game increased. I grew to appreciate what a good work ethic can do for an individual, whether it be on the field or in the classroom. As a coach, I was fortunate enough to witness the dedication and commitment that the coaching staff and instructors put into The Academy. While we seek to enhance our player’s skills and performance, we also aim to foster a sense of teamwork, selflessness, and respect for the game. While coaching at The Academy, my goal was to not only improve my player’s performance, but also shape their attitudes about the game, their teammates, and coaches. In a day and age where so much emphasis is placed on skill development, many programs loose sight of fostering selfless and hardworking players. However, The Academy prioritizes character and attitude development, which is what drew me to coaching within the organization. I wholeheartedly recommend The Academy to all players and place trust in the coaching staff and instructors.
My time spend with the Academy Stars were the best years of baseball of my life. The coaches care about you on and off the field. You are constantly surrounded by hard working individuals which makes you want to better yourself. Justin is like a second father to me, I respect and trust him completely. When the UB program was cut, he was the first one to reach out to me and help me with my next steps. He has always been in my corner, even after I was not playing for him. There is nothing I would change about my time with the Academy and I will continue to urg young athletes in the direction of Justin and his staff.
We have been so pleased with the level of instruction, options for training in various forums from strength training, private lessons, clinics, to hitting leagues but most importantly the coaching environment that has our son wanting to spend his free time outside of school at the facility to develop as a baseball player. The coaches are always focused on well-rounded development of their athletes. We appreciate the care and focus that goes into all of the programs that are offered. This will impact him both on and off the field.
My son joined the Academy Stars organization last Fall(2018) and I’ve been very pleased with the lessons, coaching, team practices, and facility. The lessons & coaching I’ve found to be truly top-notch with high level instruction/mechanics taught in a way that is easy for a young player to understand. Practices are well designed and the addition of HitTrax to the facility has added another level of feedback and fun that my son has really enjoyed.
Our 12 year old son has been a part of the Academy Stars organization for two years. Through the various driveline programs, physical training, and outstanding team coaching, he is developing mental and physical toughness and is learning how to be a positive and productive member of a team. Through private lessons with Justin, he is building sound baseball fundamentals and improving his overall game. Justin is quick to identify weaknesses and provide the feedback and tools necessary for a player to turn those weaknesses into strengths. We look forward to watching Eric’s development continue under the guidance of the professionals at the Academy.