Coastal Plain League Adds Spartanburg to Lineup

Summer baseball is returning to Spartanburg and South Carolina’s oldest ballpark. The city council Monday gave the Coastal Plain League the OK to use Duncan Park for a team of top collegiate athletes to play a 52-game season, from late May to mid-August.  Read more here.

RedWolves, City of Florence Partner on New Facility

PRESS RELEASE – The Florence RedWolves of the Coastal Plain League, along with the City of Florence (S.C.) are excited to announce a $15 million sports complex coming to Florence in 2022. This will be the new home of the RedWolves, who currently play at Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium on the campus of Francis Marion University.

Coastal Plain League Announces Season Delayed Until July 1

PRESS RELEASE – The Coastal Plain League and its 15 franchises released the following official statement on Wednesday, April 29th in regards to their upcoming 2020 season.

Going Bananas for Ad-Free Ballpark

PRESS RELEASE – The Savannah Bananas have announced that Grayson Stadium will become the first known stadium to go completely Ad-Free. Starting this season, Bananas fans will not see any billboards or signage featured in the stadium.

Upgrades Coming to Mustangs Ballpark

When the Martinsville Mustangs (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) open the season on Memorial Day weekend, fans will be sure to notice many changes both on the field and around it.  Greg Suire, the new president of the Mustangs, said one of the biggest goals of his team to is make improvements to Hooker Field.  Read more here.

Newnan (GA) Considering New Coastal Plain League Ballpark

The city of Newnan (GA) is soliciting public comments on a proposed 14-acre sports and entertainment complex that could host an Coastal Plain League (Summer Collegiate) baseball team.  Read more and view renderings here.

Brunswick (GA) in Discussions with Coastal Plain League

Baseball has always been America’s pastime.  Despite the popularity of other sports, the timeless appeal of baseball still draws millions to ballparks each year.  The question now is how many would come if the coastal town of Brunswick (GA) built a stadium to bring a Coastal Plain League (Summer Collegiate) franchise to town?  Read more here.  Read more details here.

Atlantic League In, Coastal Plain League Out in Gastonia?

Gastonia (NC) leaders are leaning toward a new partnership that would bring a professional baseball franchise to the city, with the team playing in a new stadium just west of downtown and the ownership group also managing the multipurpose facility.  Read more here.

Coastal Plain League Announces Expansion

With an estimated 25 million television and livestream viewers tuning in to the 2019 Coastal Plain League All-Star Showdown, Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Justin Sellers made the exciting announcement that the league plans to expand to Colonial Heights (VA) in 2020.  Shepherd Stadium is being targeted as the home ballpark for the team.  Read more here.  Read about ballpark renovations here.

Steamers to be Sold, Moved

Frank Burke, owner of the Edenton Steamers (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League), confirmed last week that he’s in the process of selling the team he bought in 2016.  According to multiple sources, a buyer plans to purchase the franchise and move it from northeastern North Carolina.  Read more here.

Editorial: Gastonia Wise to Explore Options for New Stadium’s Primary Baseball Tenant

The question now facing Gastonia (NC) city leaders as they move toward building a new multi-use stadium to serve as the anchor of the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment District, is whether the Gastonia Grizzlies (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) will be one of the primary tenants of the new facility or if a different baseball franchise will play that role.  Read more here.

Blowfish to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of First Moon Landing

The Lexington County Blowfish (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) will honor the 50th anniversary of the historic moon landing on Saturday, July 20th when they host the Forest City Owls.  The “Concert in the Sky” musical fireworks show will be moon-themed with songs such as “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Moondance,” and “Dancing In The Moonlight.”

Blowfish to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Man landing on the Moon-GM Theo Bacot is ready to take off!

The @GoBlowfish to take "1 small step for man, 1 giant leap for man-kind" on July 20. pic.twitter.com/gRQRAKZhbL

— Thomas Grant (@lexchronsports2) January 23, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Grizzlies Promote ‘Ticket Leprechaun’ to Assistant GM

The Gastonia Grizzlies (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) have announced the promotion of long-time employee, Jake Brewer, to Assistant General Manager.  Brewer, also known as the Ticket Leprechaun, is going into his 6th season with the organization.  Read more here.

Mint Hill Voters Reject Ballpark Bonding

Voters in Mint Hill (NC) this week rejected a bond proposal that would have funded a $15-million, 2,500-seat baseball stadium for a Coastal Plain League (Summer Collegiate) franchise.  Read more here.

Blowfish Unveil 2019 Season Theme: Lexington County Fair

On Wednesday at the Annual World Series Luncheon, the Lexington County Blowfish (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) announced the theme for next season. 2019 is the 150th anniversary of the South Carolina State Fair, and to honor that anniversary, the team will be hosting the Lexington County Fair during the 2019 season. As part of the campaign, the Blowfish are creating County Fair-themed jerseys, along with food, fun and games all summer long at Lexington County Baseball Stadium.  Learn more here.

Martinsville to Address Future of Mustangs

As costs continue to rise, while revenues remain flat, the city of Martinsville (VA) has tough budget decisions to make, including evaluating the future of the Martinsville Mustangs (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League).  First, over the last four years, the league has managed the team, as part of a five-year contract with the city that expires after the 2019 season.  Second, Hooker Field needs an estimated $1.5 million in repairs and renovations.  Read more here.

Mint Hill (NC) Ballpark Plan on Nov. 6 Ballot

A bond referendum will be on the ballot for Mint Hill (NC) residents on Nov. 6 for the public to vote on two bonds, including one that would fund a 2,500-seat ballpark would be the home of local youth baseball and a Coastal Plain League (Summer Collegiate) franchise.  If approved, construction would last approximately 13 to 15 months with a targeted opening date of May 2020.  Read more here.

War Memorial Stadium to Host Craft Beer Bash

From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, historic War Memorial Stadium in Hampton (VA), home of the Peninsula Pilots (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League), will host the third annual Craft Beer Bash, featuring more than a dozen local breweries. Popular food trucks Stuft, Flame and Pie, and Sinful Treats will provide edibles, and there will be games, activities and live music.  Read more here.  Learn more and buy tickets here.

Gastonia Officials Get a VR Look at Proposed New Ballpark

Gastonia (NC) Mayor Walker Reid donned a virtual reality headset this week to take a stroll through the proposed multi-use stadium that will anchor the FUSE District on the city’s western side.  Read more and view photos here.

Pancakes vs. Bacon Tonight in South Carolina

This Friday the Lexington County Blowfish (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) will become the Lexington County Pancakes for the first time, as the club takes on the Macon Bacon, the league’s newest franchise, at Lexington County Baseball Stadium starting at 7:05pm.  Learn more here.

Hot off the Griddle — It’s the Lexington County Pancakes!

PRESS RELEASE – The Lexington County Blowfish Baseball Club announced today that on Friday, June 8, the Blowfish will become the Lexington County Pancakes when the club takes on the Macon Bacon, the newest team in the Coastal Plain League.

Stars, Stripes and a Dog

PRESS RELEASE – 2018 will be a very colorful, star-studded and patriotic theme that will dominate the summer at Lexington County Baseball Stadium.

Blowfish Announce Front Office Promotions

PRESS RELEASE – The Blowfish announced today that Brian Larkin has been promoted to Vice-President of Shanahan & Company Sports Management/Blowfish Baseball and Theo Bacot has been named the new General Manager of the Lexington County Blowfish Baseball Club.

Luther Williams Field Renovations Underway

More than 100 community members and officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony at Luther Williams Field on Monday, signaling the start of renovations of the historic venue in Central City Park.  When the new Macon Bacon (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) take the field next summer, fans will be able to enjoy a ballpark with old charm and updated features.  Read more here.

Capitol Broadcasting Company Buys Salamanders

Capitol Broadcasting Company Inc. has purchased the Holly Springs Salamanders (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League).  The Salamanders, which were owned by league co-founder Jerry Pettit, join the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, International League) as CBC-owned baseball properties.  Read more here.

It’s the ‘Macon Bacon’

The new Coastal Plain League (Summer Collegiate) franchise in Macon (GA) will be known as the Macon Bacon.  The team’s name, logo and uniforms were unveiled today.  Watch reveal here.  See unis here.

Luther Williams Field Renovations Detailed, Work Begins in October

Bibb County (GA) leaders took a tour of historic Luther Williams Field Thursday to see the new plans for their $2.5 million renovations.  The project will update 10 areas in the stadium, starting at the entrance. There will be more than 30 places to buy food, souvenirs, and more, and a 2,000-square-foot beer garden will offer local brews.  Read more and watch news report here.  View renderings here.

Gastonia Locks Down Ballpark Design Deal with Pendulum

As expected, the Gastonia (NC) City Council has voted to hire Pendulum Studio of Kansas City (MO) to the design the multi-purpose baseball stadium and events complex to be built just west of downtown.  Read more here.

Gastonia Slated to Approve Pendulum as Ballpark Designer

Gastonia (NC) City Council members will vote on whether to approve a contract totaling $1.26 million for Pendulum Studio, a Kansas City (MO) design firm, to complete architectural and engineering work for a new ballpark.  Read more here.

New Macon Team Unveils Ticket Packages, Ballpark to Received $2.5M in Upgrades

Officials representing the new Coastal Plain (Summer Collegiate) franchise setting up shop at Luther Williams Field in Macon (GA) have announced details about season ticket packages, which include all-you-can-eat food and drinks and in-your-seat wait service.  Luther Williams stadium is slated to receive as much as $2.5 million in upgrades in preparation for the new team.  Read more here.  As we previously posted, the possible nicknames for the team are Soul, Bacon, Hits, Heat, and Noise.

Deadline Extended for Naming Macon’s New Team

The contest to choose a name for Macon’s new baseball team is going into extra innings.  A deadline of Monday, July 31, was set, but the team has given fans an extra 48 hours to chime in.  The five finalists include: Macon Soul, Macon Bacon, Macon Hits, Macon Heat, and Macon Noise.  Read more here.  View contest here.

Fun First Drives Bananas’ Success, More Promotions and Entertainment Planned for Year Two

Jesse Cole likes to do things his way, but a trio of legendary promoters overlooking his desk inside Grayson Stadium might have had issue with the perceived originality.  His vision has been extracted from Walt Disney, Bill Veeck and P.T. Barnum, whose posters line his office wall.  Read more here.

HiToms Extend Ballpark Lease

PRESS RELEASE – The High Point-Thomasville HiToms have agreed in principle with the city of Thomasville to remain at Historic Finch Field.

Creating a ‘Ballpark of the Future’ in Gastonia

The first actual pitch may still be up to three years away, but Gastonia (NC) city leaders tossed out their plan to create a spark in the center city to business leaders Tuesday morning by building a sports stadium without mentioning the word baseball.  Read more here.

Petersburg Generals Heading to Macon?

Documents show the Petersburg Generals (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) could be relocating to Macon (GA).  Read more here.

Blowfish Announce 2017 as the Season of the Total Eclipse, Unveil Special Jerseys

PRESS RELEASE – The Lexington County Blowfish announced today their 2017 season-long campaign to promote the first transcontinental Total Eclipse in 99 years and the once of a lifetime view from Lexington County, S.C. for the August event.

Coastal Plain League Plans to Add Five Teams by 2018, Greenville Targeted

The possibility of a summer collegiate baseball team in Greenville (NC) will be one of the topics discussed during the City Council’s annual planning retreat on Jan. 27.  Justin Sellers with the Coastal Plain League recently discussed the possibility of adding a Greenville team to the circuit.  According to Sellers:

“We will be adding an additional five teams by 2018.”

Read more here.

Update: Proposed Gastonia Ballpark

In October, the Gastonia (NC) City Council voted 7-0 to approve an initial $4 million to ignite FUSE (Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment) — a multi-use redevelopment downtown anchored by an estimated $15 million ballpark for the Gastonia Grizzlies (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) — to purchase and begin demolition on four properties.  Architectural work will come next, with construction potentially beginning later this year.  Read more here.

New Gastonia Ballpark Plans On the Mound

Gastonia (NC) leaders have spent more than two years crafting a plan for a new entertainment and sports district just west of downtown, which could be anchored by a multi-purpose baseball stadium.  Now they are finally on the mound and firing their first formal pitch to residents.  Read more here.

Blowfish Name New GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Lexington County Blowfish are pleased to announce Brian Larkin as the team’s new general manager. Larkin joins the Blowfish from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA Affiliate/Cincinnati Reds) and will officially join the front office Monday October 17th.