Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Ripken Baseball recently announced Mike Kremblas, coach of the Knoxville Stars 9u baseball team, as the recipient of the 2015 Ripken Baseball Youth Coach of the Year Award. Together, Ripken Baseball and Baseball America set out on a mission in early July to celebrate youth coaches who represent “The Ripken Way” pillars – character, commitment, community, family, fun, integrity, passion perseverance and teamwork.
“It’s an honor to be selected as the winner amongst such deserving coaches,” said Coach Mike Kremblas. “I could not have done this without the support from my friends, family and the community. It’s my goal to continue making a positive impact on our team both on and off the field. A huge thank you to Ripken Baseball for putting this together and for its continued service to youth baseball and softball programs.”
Nominated by numerous players and coaches as a representative of the “teamwork” pillar, Coach Kremblas is recognized for his belief in having 10 players who work as a team, rather than 10 All-Stars. He has molded his players into one unit and taught them how to play with heart. As the 2015 Ripken Baseball Youth Coach of the Year, Kremblas will be honored in December at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn.
“On behalf of Ripken Baseball and Baseball America, we are thrilled to name Coach Mike Kremblas as the Ripken Baseball Youth Coach of the Year,” said Colin Clark, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Ripken Baseball. “His impact on his team is evident in the immense support he has received. We also want to congratulate the eight other finalists, all of whom were worthy candidates, as they truly exemplify what it means to do things ‘The Ripken Way,’ both on and off the field.”
A catcher at The Ohio State University (1995-1998) and an eighth round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1998 MLB June Amateur Draft, Coach Kremblas played for seven different minor league affiliates (1998-2003) before returning to Sevierville, Tenn. Currently, Coach Kremblas’s 9u Knoxville Stars are ranked third in the nation, with a 40-6 record.
