Ballpark Visit ALERT: Grainger Stadium (Kinston, NC)

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com recently visited Grainger Stadium, home of the Down East Wood Ducks (Single-A, Carolina League).  Read more and view photos here.

Down East Wood Ducks Unveil Branding

PRESS RELEASE – The Down East Wood Ducks, the Texas Rangers’ new Carolina League franchise, today unveiled its team logo and marks. The unveiling, which took place in conjunction with Wednesday’s Hot Stove League Banquet, included the team’s crest and three Wood Duck logos that will be used on official club merchandise. The club also revealed its Down East Wood Ducks lettering.

It’s the ‘Down East Wood Ducks’ for Kinston

It was announced Wednesday that the name for the new Single-A Carolina League franchise in Kinston (NC) will be known as the Down East Wood Ducks.  The Wood Ducks logo, designed by San Diego-based Brandiose, is scheduled to be unveiled Nov. 30.  Read more here.

Kinston’s Name the Team Campaign Narrows List to Five Contenders

After more than 1300 name submissions, fans have a chance to choose one of the five following names for the team moving from the California League (Single-A) to Kinston (NC) and the Carolina League (Single-A):  Down East Eagles, Down East HamHawks, Down East Hogzillas, Down East Shaggers, Down East Wood Ducks.  Learn more and vote here.  Watch news report about unhappy fans here.

Kinston Welcomes Back Baseball

Governor Pat McCrory was part of the celebration in Kinston (NC) as the city formally recognized the return of baseball there for the first time since the end 2011.  Read more and watch news report here.

Adelanto Makes Plans for Ballpark Without Mavs

After being informed of Minor League Baseball’s realignment reducing the size of the Single-A California League to eight teams, Mayor Rich Kerr said he would start making phone calls immediately. His intent: Filling Stater Bros. Stadium’s calendar as early as the beginning of November, following the city’s planned rodeo.  Read more here.  As for the High Desert Mavericks, the team is headed to the Single-A Carolina League and Kinston (NC).  Read more and watch news report here.

Blaze, Mavs Heading to Carolina League

Minor League Baseball will reportedly announce today that the Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks will be contracted from the Single-A California League at the end of the 2016 season.  In the worst-kept industry secret, the two franchises will head east for the Single-A Carolina League.  The Cal League will become an eight-team, one-division circuit.  Read more here.  Read background story here.

Grainger Hosting JC World Series, Still Eyeing Affiliated Ball

The Division III Junior College World Series is coming to Kinston (NC) for the third straight year, and locals are looking forward to showcasing Grainger Stadium with an eye toward a possible return of affiliated ball.  Read more and watch news report here.

Rangers Anticipating California League, Carolina League Shift

Carolina League franchises are just waiting for the first California League domino to fall.  The city of Kinston (NC) even has a signed lease in place with the Texas Rangers. Read more here.

Kinston Approves Lease for Carolina League Team

The Kinston (NC) city council voted Monday to approve a lease for a potential baseball team at Grainger Stadium.  The deal is expected to be with a Single-A, Carolina League team and include $1.6 million in improvements and enhancements to the facility.  Read more here.  Read background story here.

Appy League Holds Off on Expansion, Kinston (NC) Waits

The Rookie-level Appalachian League has been considering expansion, but it is off the table for 2015.  The hope of securing an Appy club is reportedly one reason Kinston (NC) has held off bringing a summer collegiate Coastal Plain League franchise to Grainger Stadium after losing the Single-A Kinston Indians (Carolina League) after the 2011 season.  Read more here.

Kinston’s Grainger Stadium Still Sits Empty

Ever since the Single-A Kinston Indians (Carolina League) fled Grainger Stadium for greener pastures in 2011, city officials have been working to find a replacement to anchor the ballpark.  Meanwhile, they are doing their best to keep the facility busy.  Read more and watch news report here.  With a population under 25,000, we still believe the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League is Kinston’s best bet.