When North Carolina Struck Out with MLB Two Decades Ago

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred caused a stir among North Carolina sports fans this week, when he said Charlotte would be in the top three cities considered for a future league expansion.  Read more here.

New Stadium, Team Coming to Holly Springs (NC)

Holly Springs (NC) has reached and agreement with Creative Sports LLC to build a new $5.5 million, 1,800-seat baseball stadium to host a new franchise from the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League.  Holly Springs, about 20 miles southwest of Raleigh (NC), serves as the headquarters for the CPL.  Read more here and here.

Holly Springs sports complex rendering by Withers & Ravenel

Pondering Minor League Ball in Lake Norman Area

This isn’t much of a story, but Aaron Burns from The Herald Weekly ponders whether the Lake Norman (NC) area could support a Single-A baseball team.  In the process, he talks with Andrew Moon from the W.B. Grimes & Company Sports Advisory Group and Mark Seaman, general manager of the Single-A Hickory Crawdads (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

After Vote, Hillcats Staying Put

PRESS RELEASE – The Lynchburg Hillcats announced today that the pending sale of the Hillcats’ (Carolina League) franchise to the Atlanta Braves is now void. The sale was contingent on many different events occurring, including the city of Wilmington, NC voting to publicly fund the construction of a brand new stadium. That referendum was voted down 70% NO to 30% YES

Developer Eyeing Property Near Proposed Ballpark Site

A Charlotte-based real estate investment firm could bring a mixture of high-end residential units and ground floor retail shops to property next to the site for a proposed new ballpark in Wilmington, if voters approve the funding plan for the baseball project on Nov. 6.  Read more here.

Wilmington Zeros In On Two Properties for New Ballpark

The City of Wilmington is targeting two possible locations on the Cape Fear River for the proposed new ballpark for a Single-A Carolina League team, including an 8.5-acre site north of PPD’s headquarters and the adjacent 8-acre Sawmill Point Marina tract, which is at the corner of Cowan Street and the Isabel Holmes Bridge.  The city has already been in negotiations with developer Chuck Schoninger

Tentative Ballpark Deal Reached in Wilmington

A tentative ballpark deal has finally been reached between the City of Wilmington (NC), the Atlanta Braves, and Mandalay Baseball Properties.  The agreement is expected to go before the city council next Tuesday.  The proposed 2.5-cent property tax increase to pay for the new stadium will go before the voters in November.  Read more here.

Still No Deal on Wilmington Ballpark Plan

The Wilmington City Council was hoping to vote next Tuesday on a plan to build a new ballpark for a Single-A Carolina League franchise, but a final deal with the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties remains a work in progress.  Read more here

Holly Springs (NC) Approves $84K for Preliminary Ballpark Planning

As a follow up to our previous post in March about a proposed new ballpark in Holly Springs (NC) for a summer collegiate Coastal Plain League club, the city has voted to spend $84,000 for early planning for an athletic complex that could include the stadium.  Read more here.

Voters to Decide Future of Proposed New Ballpark in Wilmington

The Wilmington (NC) City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to place a $37-million bond referendum on the November ballot to cover the cost of a new stadium for a Single-A Carolina League that would be brought to town by the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties.  Read more here.

Wilmington Delays Decision on Ballpark Agreement

The Wilmington (NC) City Council has put off signing an agreement with the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties to build a new ballpark for a relocated Single-A Carolina League club.  The council is still scheduled to vote Tuesday on placing a bond referendum on the November ballot for the cost of land and stadium construction not to exceed $37 million.  Read more here.

Wilmington Ballpark Referendum a Go, Negotiations Continue

The Wilmington (NC) City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to move forward with a bond referendum in November to fund a new $42 million ballpark for an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, despite an invalid petition.  Meanwhile, the city and Mandalay Baseball Properties are still negotiating the numbers.  The city says $42 million is too much for the new park.  Mandalay has offered up

Anti-Ballpark Petition Falls Short, But…

The petition to stop any taxpayer funds from being used to build a new ballpark for a Single-A Carolina League franchise fell 14 signatures short of the 2,842 needed to force a public vote on the issue.  However, it appears organizers can continue to add new names to the list.  To be on the November ballot, the issue must be certified by August 1.  Read more here.

Board of Elections Verifying Petition Signatures

The New Hanover County (Wilmington, NC) Board of Elections has reviewed 2,447 of the approximately 4,000 signatures submitted to force a public vote on taxpayer funding for a new ballpark for a Single-A Carolina League franchise.  So far, 1,880 have been verified.  A total of more than 2,900 must be valid to trigger the referendum.  Read more here.

Anti-Ballpark Petition Could Throw Wrench into Wilmington Ballpark Plans

A citizens group opposed to any public funding for a proposed new ballpark in Wilmington (NC) has filed a petition with more than 4,000 signatures to force a public vote on the project.  The broad language of the petition could also impact the summer collegiate Wilmington Sharks (Coastal Plain League) and Wilmington Hammerheads pro soccer team, which are not paying the full rate to rent city stadiums.

Lynchburg Watches as Wilmington Moves Forward

National Sports Services released a survey Tuesday showing support for a new ballpark in Wilmington (NC) and identified the three potential sites for the project.  Read more here.  This is making baseball fans in Lynchburg (VA) increasingly uneasy, as the Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats (Carolina League ) are being eyed for relocation.  Read more here.

Second Ballpark Meeting Sparsely Attended

The second public information meeting on the proposed new ballpark in Wilmington (NC) was sparsely attended Wednesday night, as city staff and the media outnumbered actual citizens.  That said, the first meeting was held a mere one day earlier and  included a live presentation by the city’s consultant National Sports Services — not the replay shown last night.  On the other hand, if there is any

Map Released of Six Potential Ballpark Sites in Wilmington

Wilmington city fficials have released a map of six potential sites for the proposed new baseball stadium for an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.  Read more view map here.

Wilmington Targets Ripken for Ballpark Project

Wilmington (NC) City Manager Sterling Cheatham has indicated that Ripken Design has been chosen out of 10 bidders to represent the city “in developing and analyzing all of the aspects that accompany the development of a minor league baseball facility.”  The city council is expected to review the proposal next Tuesday.  Read more here.

Pro Stadium Business Coalition Formed, Press Conference at 10am Today (UPDATED)

The Wilmington Ballpark Coaltion, a group of local business leaders supporting the proposed new baseball stadium in Wilmington (NC), was introduced to the community on Monday.  It was also announced that representatives from Mandalay and the Atlanta Braves will hold a press conference to discuss the project at 10 a.m. this morning on the lawn of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Locations Explored for New Wilmington Ballpark

As both opponents and supporters of the proposed new Single-A ballpark in Wilmington (NC) mobilize their grassroots, Wilmington officials continue to explore location options for the stadium.  Read more here.

Wilmington Council Members Tour Durham Ballpark

A number of Wilmington (NC) City Council members toured Durham Athletic Park, home of the Triple-A Durham Bulls (International League) on Friday to get a first-hand view of the stadium and talk with city leaders about their experiences with the team and ballpark.  Read more here.

Coastal Plain League Seeks Exploratory Funding for New Ballparks

The summer collegiate Coastal Plain League is asking the city of Holly Springs (NC) near Raleigh to spend $50,000 to $75,000 for an exploratory study for a proposed new 2,500-seat stadium for a new CPL club and 750-seat Miracle League ballpark for handicapped players.  The CPL set up its headquarters in Holly Springs in 2009.  Read more here.

Wilmington Considers Preliminary Ballpark Spend, Explores Locations

The Wilmington (NC) City Council on Tuesday will consider spending $123,500 over the coming months for a feasibility study, outside legal counsel, a financial adviser, property appraisal and project management in connection with a proposed new ballpark for a Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.  The city is also looking at possible locations for the project.

Hillcats Issue Statement on Possible Sale, Relocation, MiLB Replacement

PRESS RELEASE – Over the years, the Lynchburg Baseball Corp. (LBC) has from time to time received indications of interest pertaining to the acquisition of the Hillcats franchise. Consistently, the LBC’s response to any interested party has required a commitment to maintain professional baseball at Lynchburg City Stadium.

Wilmington to Begin Formal Negotiations for Affiliated Ball

The Wilmington (NC) City Council has unanimously approved a plan to begin formal negotiations with the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties to bring the Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats (Carolina League) to the Port City.  Not everyone is happy, including Darrell Handelsman, owner of the summer collegiate Wilmington Sharks (Coastal Plain League), who argued that if the Braves come

Wilmington to Take Next Steps for Affiliated Ball

The mayor of Wilmington (NC) announced today that the city council will decide next week whether to begin negotiations with Mandalay Baseball Properties and the Atlanta Braves to explore a public/private partnership to build a new minor league baseball stadium.  Read more here.

County Ends Baseball Stadium Talks with Wilmington (NC), Mandalay

New Hanover County (NC) has withdrawn from new baseball stadium discussions with the City of Wilmington (NC) and Mandalay Entertainment.  This was admitted payback, as the city recently approved an annexation deal for a new apartment complex, which the county opposed.  Read more here.  Watch news clip here.

Plans Unveiled for New Wilmington (NC) Stadium

Developer Chuck Schoninger has unveiled plans for a new baseball stadium, which would serve as a key attraction for a riverfront development that includes a hotel, restaurants, and marina.  The city is currently talking with Schoninger about financing options for the ballpark project.  The Atlanta Braves have apparently expressed interest in locating an affiliate in the Port City.  Read more here.

Bobby Cox Talking Pro Ball in Wilmington (NC)

Former Atlanta Braves skipper Bobby Cox recently visted with officials in Wilmington (NC) to discuss the return of pro ball to the Port City.  The city council is scheduled to discuss Cox’s visit and a potential new ballpark at a workshop scheduled for Dec. 16.  Wilmington is the current home for the successful summer collegiate Wilmington Sharks (Coastal Plain League).  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the story.

Daredevils Dormant and For Sale

The owners of the summer collegiate Outer Banks Daredevils (Coastal Plain League) have decided to pack it in for the 2012 season and put the team up for sale because of financial concerns.  The club has played at the First Flight Baseball Complex in Kill Devil Hills (NC) since 2006.  Read more here.

MiLB Chief Gives False Hope to Kinston?

Minor League Baseball president Pat O’Connor was at Grainger Stadium in Kinston (NC) last Thursday to visit with representatives of the Kinston Indians (Class A Advanced, Carolina League).  Unforuntately, O’Connor stroked the community into thinking that short-season professional ball could return to Kinston, after the Indians move to Zebulon (NC) to replace the Carolina Mudcats (Double-A