KINSTON, NC (WITN) – Get ready to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” because professional baseball is returning to an Eastern Carolina city after a five year lapse.
The Texas Rangers announced Monday that they’ve entered into a 12-year agreement to put a new Class-A team at Grainger Stadium in Kinston.
“I believe you got the right team in place here in Kinston with the right organization in the Texas Rangers that can make this a successful franchise, one that will be here a lot longer than the 12 years they’ve committed to,” Kinston Mayor BJ Murphy says.
The city lost its minor league team in 2011 when the Kinston Indians moved to Zebulon.
The new team will be one of two joining the Carolina League for the 2017 season that starts in April. It’s one of the reasons Kinston City Manager Tony Sears says helped attract the team to Eastern Carolina in the first place.
“The Carolina League is the premier Single-A minor league baseball affiliate,” Sears says. “Being in their footprint really helped so we were able to work out a really good deal and though it wasn’t easy getting a team here, it was helped by being the Carolina League.”
The agreement is subject to approval by Minor League Baseball and the review of Major League Baseball.
The Rangers are also planning a multi-year renovation project for the 4,100-seat stadium with home and visiting clubhouse, weight room, and concession stand expansion scheduled to be completed for the 2017 season.
Sears says as part of the deal with the Rangers, the City of Kinston is also investing $1.625 million in the stadium. Renovations will include updating the locker rooms and dugouts.
The franchise will formally be Rangers Kinston LLC with the Texas Rangers having a controlling interest. Cam McRae, former majority owner of the Kinston Indians, will also be a limited partner in the group.
Not only does the team have a new home, but it’s also looking for a new name! Texas Rangers officials told Murphy and Sears they want the community to be involved. Submit your best ideas online at www.KinstonBaseball.com The contest winner will receive two 2017 season tickets, an official team jersey and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch during the season.
The Rangers and the City of Kinston are hosting a free public event at noon on Thursday, August 25 at historic Grainger Stadium to celebrate the new team. Officials say there will be free hot dogs and soda.
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After a five year lapse, Kinston is getting back into the professional ballgame.
The Texas Rangers announced today that they’ve entered into an agreement to put a new Class-A team at Grainger Stadium.
The city lost its minor league team in 2011 when the Kinston Indians moved to Zebulon.
The new team will be one of two joining the Carolina League for the 2017 season. The agreement is subject to approval by Minor League Baseball and the review of Major League Baseball.
“Baseball has been synonymous with Kinston for many decades,” said Mayor BJ Murphy.” We are very grateful to the Texas Rangers organization for bringing professional baseball back home to Historic Grainger Stadium where folks from all over eastern NC will enjoy America’s favorite pastime once again.”
The franchise will formally be Rangers Kinston LLC with the Texas Rangers having a controlling interest. Cam McRae, former majority owner of the Kinston Indians, will also be a limited partner in the group.
The Rangers are also planning a multi-year renovation project for the 4,100-seat stadium with home and visiting clubhouse, weight room, and concession stand expansion scheduled to be completed for the 2017 season.
