Deanna Waddell Named First General Manager of the Davie Crocketts

The Davie Crocketts have named Deanna Waddell the first General Manager in franchise history, bringing minor league baseball work experience and a community-focused mindset to the organization ahead of its inaugural season in Mocksville.

A standout softball player at Montreat College, where she currently works as a graduate assistant for athletics, Waddell will oversee day-to-day team operations in Mocksville while helping establish the identity and culture of the new college wood-bat franchise coming this summer at Mando Field.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to be chosen as the first GM of the Davie Crocketts,” Waddell said. “Bringing summer baseball to a town like Mocksville is an opportunity I am truly grateful to be a part of. I know this community will rally around the team, and I’m excited to give my all to Mocksville and help build something special.”

HoneyHunter to Cannon Baller to crockett

Waddell’s background includes direct experience with minor league baseball organizations, most notably the Gastonia HoneyHunters (now named the Gastonia Ghost Peppers), where she served as a Marketing Associate, and the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, where she worked as a General Intern.

In those roles, the Concord native gained exposure to game-day operations, promotions, sponsorship activation, and fan engagement, providing a practical understanding of what it takes to operate a successful baseball organization beyond the field. 

"Having operators with good baseball experience is critical," said Blue Ridge League chairman Greg Sullivan. "We're very excited to have a leader like Deanna come in and work with us in Mocksville and start this franchise off the right way."

Waddell has also held operational roles in collegiate athletics, including work in intramural sports and game management, further strengthening her background in event operations and crowd experience. A left-handed pitcher for her college team, Waddell led Montreat in ERA, wins and strikeouts in multiple seasons and was recognized as an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete.

'you can feel the difference the moment you walk into the ballpark'

Waddell says the strongest baseball teams are those that are deeply connected to the communities they represent.

“The most successful minor league and summer baseball teams all share one thing in common: an unmatched relationship with their community,” she said. “You can feel the difference the moment you walk into the ballpark. When a team and its fans genuinely care about one another, it creates an energy that is second to none.”

When it comes to the fan experience, Waddell has clear expectations for Mando to give Davie County fans a sense of what to expect for their first season, beginning this May.

“I want Mando Field to be the loudest ballpark in the Blue Ridge League,” she said. “Every game will be packed with energy, excitement, and fun. I want every fan to feel like they are part of something special.”