(March 1, 2011) The last day of February was a memorable one for Carmine Vetrano. In the morning, Vetrano learned he has been named Announcer of the Year in the Federal Hockey League. In the afternoon, the news was even better. Vetrano landed his first play-by-play job in minor league baseball.
An STAA client, Vetrano has been named Communications Coordinator and Broadcaster for the expansion Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League. The Boulders will play in Rockland County, NY – 25 miles north of New York City.
In addition to play-by-play, Vetrano will handle game notes, press releases, game recaps, website, and press box accommodations.
“This is a great step for me personally and it was a goal of mine to make it into professional baseball this summer; and I have!” Vetrano says excitedly.
Vetrano has spent the past two summers broadcasting summer collegiate baseball in New York and Vermont. He has also gained considerable hockey play-by-play experience the past two years with the FHL’s New York Aviators and the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In Bridgeport, he worked alongside, and learned a lot from, veteran broadcaster Phil Giubileo.
“I owe a lot of my success to Phil Giubileo from the Sound Tigers,” Vetrano says. “He took a chance on me. I did not have that much broadcast experience and he allowed me to get reps in the AHL. More importantly, he is been a mentor and even better friend.
“To have him in my corner and STAA [CEO Jon Chelesnik] is the perfect package. I sent over my Talent Page [to the Boulders], and they had everything they needed right there.”
Vetrano contacted the Boulders on his own, then asked the Sound Tigers to place a call on his behalf, which led to an interview.
“ I sold them on how ready I am to make the jump,” Vetrano says.