WORCESTER – Ryan Petrone’s passion for baseball and helping others led him to opening an AAU baseball program, Energy Athletics & Nutrition on Stafford St, two years ago and the business has kept growing — even during a pandemic.
“It all began with a traveling baseball camp business called ‘Mini Warrior Baseball Clinics,’ Petrone said. “I ran this with my fellow baseball teammates. We would go around to local little leagues in the summer and host camps at their complex and donate $25 per child that signed up back to the league.”
WATCH BELOW: Take a Virtual Tour of Energy Athletics & Nutrition
Petrone said the baseball clinics led to a connection with hundreds of potential baseball players. And, from there, they created Energy Baseball: a travel baseball program with no parent coaching, and a commitment to building a culture that was focused on student-athletes with a strong work ethic and accountability. The facility is also home to Worcester Union Softball.
Petrone has recently opened another business within the facility — Energy Nutrition — and expanded the facility which allowed Energy Athletics to be more multi-sport compatible. Energy Nutrition offers protein shakes and metabolism boosting teas.
“By adding a gym, purchasing new equipment, and expanding the height of our cages, we have now intrigued athletes from many sports to come train at our facility. Over the past two years, the baseball program has grown, so we needed to grow with it,” Petrone said. “[Energy Nutrition] is a healthy alternative for our players and parents to enjoy.”
Petrone says Energy Athletics plans to add a nutrition coach and a physical therapy practice in the future.
Petrone grew up in Worcester playing at Joe DiMaggio Little League behind the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel church off of Shrewsbury Street — where he says his passion and his deep love for baseball started.
“I do love the game. I began playing when I was just four years old. Baseball is deep in my family history. My grandfather was the president of DiMaggio Little League until his death in 1986. His son, my uncle Anthony Petrone, took over the presidency from there and has been president for years,” Petrone said.
He would later go on to play college baseball at Merrimack College and still plays now for the Boston Athletics in the Park League and the East Boston Expos of the Yawkey League, both in Boston.
As Energy Athletics & Nutrition continues to grow, the future for the company has many exciting goals and new projects. Petrone hopes to have three locations within the next seven years, with plans to add the second location in the next two years.
The Energy Baseball program currently works with 14 baseball teams and seven softball teams and is growing rapidly.
Energy Athletics & Nutrition is open Monday to Thursday 11:30 AM to 8 PM, Friday 3 PM to 7 PM and 10 AM to 2:30 PM on weekends.
For anyone interested in checking out Energy Athletics & Nutrition, you can get a protein shake and batting cage and turf field access for just $9 before 5 PM on weekdays.
For more information and to register, click here.
Take a virtual tour of the facilities here:
