HOME RUN ENTERTAINMENT Minor league baseball teams keep the hits coming throughout and around the Triangle
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BY KURT DUSTERBERG
mong America’s many summertime traditions, minor league baseball is a go-to in many regions of the country, and nowhere more so than in North Carolina. Across the state, fans can enjoy leisurely evenings and warm weekend afternoons root-root-rooting for the home team in an environment that attracts both ardent baseball lovers and casual fans. That’s because the minor league experience offers some real advantages over the major leagues. For starters, a family of four can spend less than $100 at a minor league game— a fraction of the cost at a big league stadium. The seating capacity at minor league facilities generally run between 6,000–10,000, making it an up-close and personal event. And let’s face it, no one really goes home disappointed when the home team loses. Most fans don’t know the players’ names or the team’s record, and that’s part of the charm. Minor league baseball is a family entertainment option as much as a professional sport. The production values are part of the pitch, and the players enjoy having an audience as they chase their dream. The term “minor league” generally refers to teams affiliated with Major League Baseball. Players drafted or signed out of high school try to advance through
Single-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, which is the doorstep to the majors. After a major realignment of the minor league system in 2021, there are also partner leagues and collegiate summer leagues under the Major League Baseball umbrella. Additional independent and collegiate leagues operate across the country, mostly at lesser skill levels. In the Triangle, the Durham Bulls play Triple-A baseball, where the roster is filled each season with players waiting for a call to the “The Show”—and players who are trying to earn their way back. In Zebulon, the Carolina Mudcats play in Single-A, where prospects are just starting out. A fast-rising prospect might reach the majors in two seasons, while others will chase the dream for 10 years. And many Single-A players won’t ever make it to the next level. But if you’re headed to the ballpark this summer, a primer is hardly necessary. Minor league baseball is a night out. It’s cold beer and plenty of food options. It’s taking a photo with the oversized mascot or buying a ball cap with that clever team logo. Maybe you will catch a foul ball— or be chosen to go on the field for a dizzy bat race. And if you end up cheering a home run, so much the better.
DAVID ROBERTSON
HIGH POINT ROCKERS The Rockers play at Truist Point as a member of the Atlantic League, a “partner league” of Major League Baseball, which is a new designation in the realignment of the minors. The 10 Atlantic League rosters are made up of unsigned free agents who have progressed through baseball’s development levels. More than 40% of the players have previously played in the major leagues. And fans are guaranteed to see at least one former major league star when they visit the ballpark—retired Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox pitcher Frank Viola is the Rockers’ pitching coach. He was the World Series MVP in 1987 and won the American League Cy Young Award in 1988. The $36-million stadium opened in 2019 and holds 4,500 spectators. A Rockers game is kid-friendly, too, with a playground inside the stadium and a splash pad at the adjacent Blessing Park. The team’s mascot is Hype the Rocking Horse.
CAROLINA MUDCATS The Mudcats, a Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, play at Five County Stadium in Zebulon. The stadium was built in 1991 and features a steep upper deck that makes fans feel close to the action. The team has long been a hit at the merchandise stands, with its logo of a catfish swimming through the letter C. Minor league teams are always searching for clever promotions, and the Mudcats have a couple good ones. The team plays as the “Carolina Micro Brews,” an alternate identity with separate logos, colors, jerseys and hats. The name not only pays homage to the team’s parent club, the Milwaukee Brewers, but it also celebrates North Carolina’s history of microbrewing and craft beer culture. The hat features an interlocking M and B, also in tribute
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to the Brewers. The team also plays under the identity of “Pescados de Carolina,” with a special logo of a sugar skull fish in celebration of Mexican culture in the Carolinas. Merchandise is available for both identities. Food and drink specials are available for Thirsty Thursdays, while Winning Wednesdays earn fans a free ticket for the next Wednesday home game. Bark in the Park (bring your dog!) and Souvenir Saturdays are among the most popular nights at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats have a handful of famous alums, including knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield. He won 15 games for the Mudcats in 1991, his best minor league season, before winning 200 games in 19 major league seasons.
