Leland could get the ballpark, the Texas Rangers minor league baseball team
Minor league baseball could return to the Wilmington area.
According to a Wednesday release from the city of Leland, REV Entertainment and the Texas Rangers have expressed interest in working with Leland and Brunswick County to develop a sports and entertainment venue in the city.
Month:A look at the history of minor league baseball in Wilmington
“We look forward to hearing more about their interest and developing a potential partnership in the coming months,” the city said.
REV Entertainment, along with the county and city, are planning a press conference in the coming weeks to provide more details about the potential development and minor league baseball.
when did this happen
According to email records obtained by StarNews, REV Entertainment first expressed interest in Leland as a potential stadium location during the summer of 2022.
Records show representatives from REV Entertainment and the Rangers, a Major League Baseball organization, were in Leland the week before Christmas to hold briefings with elected leaders and staff from Leland, Brunswick County and surrounding municipalities.
What is proposed?
REV Entertainment is proposing the venue built on more than 1,400 acres of property along US 17 adjacent to Brunswick Forest, which is part of the planned Jackeys Creek development. According to city staff email records, the Texas group is proposing a “smaller version” of its Globe Light Park.
Current plans have the potential stadium about one-tenth the size of the 40,000-seat Arlington, Texas, development.
Why Leland?
The Rangers’ current closest franchise is located in Kinston. The Down East Wood Ducks play at Grainger Stadium, which was built in 1949 and is one of the oldest active parks in minor league baseball. The Rangers may move the Wood Ducks to Leland.
Wilmington has been a stop in the minors several times in the last century.
UNCW’s Brooks Field hosted the Port City Roosters for two seasons in the mid-1990s, and the Wilmington Waves’ lone campaign in 2001. The Roosters were an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, while the Waves were part of of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Prior coverage:Could Wilmington Support Minor League Baseball?
And long before Brooks Field existed, the Wilmington Pirates competed on and off for 11 seasons from 1928 to 1950.
New Hanover County is currently home to the Wilmington Sharks, who play summer wooden bat baseball in the Coastal Plain League. This team plays annually from late May to early August at Buck Hardee Field on Carolina Beach Road.
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