The Atlanta Braves own all but one of their minor league affiliates, hence why just about every Braves minor league team is the CityName Braves. The lone exception is the Lynchburg Hillcats. The Braves signed a four-year Player Development contract with Lynchburg prior to last year, which makes them the Braves Advanced-A affiliate through the 2014 season. The Braves could be laying the groundwork for what comes after that.
The Wilmington, North Carolina, Star News reports this interesting bit of news:
Former Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox traveled to Wilmington a couple weeks ago to meet with local elected leaders and talk about baseball in the Port City.
Councilman Kevin O'Grady said Tuesday that Cox and other Braves officials dined with a couple council members and New Hanover County commissioners. He said there were not enough elected leaders to require public notice of the meeting.
He did not divulge details but said the dinner was a "general discussion" about baseball in Wilmington.
The article goes on to note that a stadium in downtown Wilmington has been discussed for several years, but the usual refrain of lack of funding has been a reason it hasn't gone anywhere.
Far be it for me to speculate about the state of politics in Wilmington, so beyond this specific spot for a team I believe this gives us a clear insight into what the Braves are thinking regarding their last independent minor league affiliate. They want to bring their Class-A Advanced team into the CityName Braves family of organization-owned teams -- whether it be Wilmington or somewhere else. That type of conversation would need to get started now, especially if the Braves want a new minor league ballpark for this affiliate -- as I'm sure they do.
We'll keep an eye on this, and see if anything else develops.
0 recs | 16 comments
Dreaming...
The Portland area is looking to build a single-A stadium for a new NWL team.
Dandretti - December 6, 2011
I think it’d be interesting in an “expand the fanbase” kind of way, but I don’t see us moving a team out of the south.
Lennox - December 6, 2011
Personally, I like it better when minor league teams have their own unique name/logo/mascot, I’ll miss that if we get the Wilmington Braves.
Lennox - December 6, 2011
Agreed
ThePetis - December 6, 2011
Same here
I appreciate that the Brewers have allowed their Huntsville SL affiliate team to continue to call itself the Stars.
Cornutt - December 6, 2011
I think this would be cool. Wilmington has always been one my favorites cities I’ve visited and this would give me another excuse to go and spend a day whenever I’m in NC.
Chapel420 - December 6, 2011
Is there any way this count be an additional team rather than a replacement? The braves used to have more minor league teams than anyone else and I wouldn’t mind seeing the braves increase their minor league footprint.
telemakhos - December 6, 2011
I’m game for them to be in Wilmington as my sister lives in Swansboro, so any trip to her house in the summer (one of my nephews birthdays is in the summer) would prompt a trip to the Braves minor league team there. Make it happen Braves!!!
Dave_D - December 6, 2011
I think Greensboro or Winston might be open to the Braves- Greensboro could support an A+ team easily (or even AA)
Broccoman - December 6, 2011
There’s already a Minor League team in Greensboro – The Grasshoppers. And they apparently have a very good beer special on Thursdays according to my cousin.
Chapel420 - December 6, 2011
↑
According to my liver: They do, in fact, have great beer specials on Thursdays.
CMassey - December 6, 2011
Charlottesville Braves has a nice ring to it, I think.
CarverM - December 6, 2011
not really a fan
As a long time richmonder, I was never a fan of how the Richmond Braves were ran. Now I feel that a locally owned and operated team is better. I may be way off with this comment because I’m not very knowledgeable in this subject though
JHey1212 - December 6, 2011 via mobile
YES!!!
As a resident of Wilmington I have been hearing rumors about this but never actually thought it would happen. I know his granddaughter goes to UNCW as I have met her before in class and she said Skip loves visiting the area whenever the chance arises.
If you don’t know about the area, one sport Wilmingtonians love is baseball. Our summer league team, the Sharks pack to stands every year, especially on dollar beer Thursdays. And having no advanced sports teams in the area, if they brought a team here they would rake in the dough.
jnrumsey - December 6, 2011
lets move back to Myrtle Beach
buy out Chuck Greenberg. Speaking from many years of experience in the area, the community really enjoyed the Braves there and was very upset when Texas moved in. It was also top choice for rehab stints. And rangers project isn’t going well at all
JKowalek - December 6, 2011
Please make it happen!!!!
This would be so awesome for me as a Wilmington resident. Make it happen!!!!
jbeachbum24 - December 7, 2011
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