CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - When Cannon Ballers players arrived in town, they were welcomed with hugs and a homecooked meal by the Cannon Ballers Booster Club
“Anything they could possibly need, we’d like to provide,” said Joann Fugitt, Booster Club president.
This group of fans has become family for the players, most of whom are just starting out on their professional baseball journey.
“This is the first place they are getting acquainted to baseball and what it’s like to live away from home. Away from their wives, girlfriends, children. So, it’s truly like having a family here in Kannapolis that’s supporting them,” said Matt Millward, the team’s general manager.
When they arrived in town last week, each player got to meet and share a meal with their booster. Drew McDaniel was with the team last year and knows what a difference they make.
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“We know that they are going to be a constant support system throughout the season, and they are going to be the ones cheering us on and we know they are going to be there every night,” said McDaniel.
The boosters wear many hats when helping the players. “We take them if they’ve got a doctor’s appointment or if they have a girlfriend coming in, but they need to be here, we’ll go pick them up,” said Fugitt. They also keep the players’ town homes well stocked with snacks and supplies. Having their own place to stay is a more recent thing for players.
For years, many of the boosters housed players in their homes during the season. Joann and her family have been boosters for 28 of the team’s 30 years in Kannapolis.
“We’ve had 74 players live with us over the years. Some of them are in the big leagues now. Some of them we’ve traveled the country to weddings and they’re like our kids, too,” she said.
Now as this year’s group of “kids” hit the field, their new families will be here each night to cheer them on.
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