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Personnel news for Tri-City ValleyCats, Normal CornBelters

Tri-City ValleyCatsWe have personnel news today from the Tri-City ValleyCats (short season A; NY-Penn League) and the Normal CornBelters (independent; Frontier League).

Michelle Skinner is the new Assistant General Manager of the Tri-City ValleyCats. The announcement was made by ValleyCats General Manager Matt Callahan.

“In her six seasons with the team, Michelle has done a tremendous job developing strong relationships with our fans and the Capital Region community as a whole,” Callahan said. “She is an integral part of the ValleyCats organization and I look forward to working with her in her new role as Assistant General Manager.”

Skinner, 30, has been with the ValleyCats since 2010, most recently serving as the team’s Fan Development / Community Manager where she oversees the ValleyCats community relations efforts.

“I am honored to be named Assistant General Manager and am grateful for the opportunity,” Skinner said. “The ValleyCats are one of the best organizations in Minor League Baseball on and off the field. We have a great staff in place, which will continue to work hard to serve the Capital Region community and provide a great experience for fans at “The Joe.”

Under her leadership, the ValleyCats dedicate thousands of hours to community outreach and charitable initiatives. Each season, the front office and players make over 160 community appearances, and the organization makes over 400 donations to a wide variety of causes throughout the Capital Region.

Skinner is also responsible for coordinating the team’s travel, and serves as the liason with the Houston Astros on many levels, including community outreach involving alumni of the Tri-City ValleyCats.

In 2014, Skinner was the recipient of the New York-Penn League’s prestigious JoAnn Weber Female Executive / Staff Member of the Year Award, presented annually to a woman who has made outstanding contributions to her club, the league, and within the baseball community.

The Normal CornBelters promoted Jeff Holtke and Michael Petrini to the roles of Assistant General Managers. Holtke most recently served as the CornBelters Director of Stadium and Game Operations, while Petrini served as the Director of Sales.

“I am extremely honored to accept this role after working within the CornBelters’ organization the past three seasons,” said Holtke. “I am excited for the opportunity to help bring affordable family entertainment to the Bloomington/Normal community. We will strive to make the Corn Crib a premier destination in Central Illinois.”

Holtke is in his fourth year with the Normal CornBelters and the 2016 season will be his tenth season working in baseball. The Pekin, Ill. native, has spent time in the Frontier League prior to coming to Normal when he worked for the Southern Illinois Miners and was apart of the 2012 Frontier League Championship team.

Petrini is in his second season in the CornBelters front office as the Assistant General Manager by way of Charleston, S.C. Originally from Ridgefield, Conn., Petrini earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management from Endicott College of Beverly, Mass.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to take on this role. After finishing of our best season in franchise history I am excited for what the future holds for the CornBelters. We have a great staff of passionate and dedicated people that want to give Bloomington/Normal the best in affordable, fun, family friendly entertainment,” said Petrini. “I am honored the owners have placed their trust in Jeff and me to assist in the day to day operation and help bring the team to the next level.”

He began his career in baseball as an intern with the Charleston RiverDogs (Low A; Sally League). Upon finishing school he joined the RiverDogs front office as a Sales Manager focusing on group and season ticket sales while maintaining and generating the Grassroots marketing campaign as a well as overseeing the Kidz Zone on game nights. After four seasons Michael left the RiverDogs for The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, where he earned a Masters in Sports Management.

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