Staff Spotlight featuring Don Petrere, Concessions Manager

Petrere will be entering his first season with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Petrere originally hails from the great state of Michigan, however, he has come to love and adopt the South as his own. Although this will be his first season with Kannapolis, Don has over 10 years of food service experience, with previous stops in NASCAR, NBA, NCAA and MiLB. Petrere will oversee the food and beverage operation outside of the premium areas, such as the concessions stands, the outfield bar, and all food and beverage carts around the concourse.
What's your claim to fame?
I have a Hole in One

What would your perfect room look like?
A Lazy boy recliner, comfy couch, HD big screen TV and pictures of my family all over the walls
What's the best way to start the day?
Having a sausage McMuffin and Unsweet tea from McDonalds.
What's the farthest you've ever lived from home?
750 miles.....From Detroit to Charlotte

What is something special about the place where you grew up?
We would fill up old milk jugs with water and head to the school a few blocks away and play pick up baseball all day. At night, after dinner, we would sit on the front porch and talk as a family and listen to the Tigers broadcast on the radio.
What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend?
at a hotel on the beach, listening to the waves crash and playing putt putt
What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I am looking forward to warm weather, cold drinks in the backyard, the smell of my BBQ and sounds of families and friends getting together laughing and having fun.
Why did you decide to work in baseball?
I grew up with a love of baseball having played it growing up, as an adult and having the privilege to coach my Sons teams for years. There is nothing like hearing the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, seeing a perfectly manicured diamond, smelling a grilled to perfection hot dog and to know you are part of helping people and families making memories at the ballpark, who wouldn't want to do this everyday?

Who inspires you to be better?
My wife, she is one of the strongest, kindest people I know...…..wait, was I supposed to say "my Boss"?
What is your favorite family tradition?
For Thanksgiving we have a lot of family and friends over, deep fry turkeys and the best part is the annual family whiffle ball home run derby contest we have in the back yard.
What is your favorite baseball memory?
That's to hard to limit it to just one. I remember going to the old Tiger Stadium with my Dad as a kid and we saw Hank Aaron hit a home run that day. I took my Wife, Kids, Brother, Mom and Dad to New York to see a Yankee game and tour the city for Fathers day in 2001- 2 months later the city and world would be turned upside down. We went to an Arizona Diamond Back spring training game and sat in the front row. I'll never forget the look on the faces of my sons when 6'10" Randy Johnson stopped and bent himself in half to shake hands and talk to them.
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I used to work in the Tower at the Philadelphia and Charlotte airports directing airplanes
What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Sitting in the back yard with a cold drink, grilling some burgers and hanging out with my family

What's the best compliment you've ever received?
That I was a good Dad