A local insider guide to the best Minor League Baseball in NC's Triangle
Here is your guide to minor league baseball in the Triangle. What to know about ticket prices, mascots, unique concessions and the best promotions for a family day at the ballpark.
Posted — UpdatedThe closest Major League Baseball teams to Raleigh are the Washington Nationals to the north and the Atlanta Braves to the south.
It takes baseball fans several hours in the car to go see either MLB team play at their home stadium, and the idea that MLB could one day expand to North Carolina is a popular topic of conversation.
Until that time, however, fans of the national pastime have several minor league baseball teams to follow, all within a short drive. Central North Carolina is home to the Durham Bulls, Carolina Mudcats, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and the Holly Springs Salamanders.
Here’s what you need to know about each team in the Triangle area:
Durham Bulls
Former Bulls owner Miles Wolff granted former Capitol Broadcasting Co. President Jim Goodmon an option to buy the team on May 9, 1990. CBC officially bought the team in 1991.
After a playoff game on Sept. 6. 2007, the playing surface was named Goodmon Field, in honor of Jim Goodmon, owner of the Durham Bulls and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting.
CBC is the parent company of WRAL-TV.
The Bulls played at Durham Athletic Park from 1926-1994.
- Tacos and Tallboys Tuesday: Tacos are $2 and select tallboy canned beers are $5 every Tuesday
- Kids eat free Wednesday: Kids age 12 and younger can get a voucher at Lowes Foods Guest Services. It’s good for a free hot dog, chips and Pepsi drink at all Wednesday home games.
- Dollar Dog Thursday: Fans can enjoy Sahlen's hot dogs for just $1 at every Thursday evening home game.
Every Friday night and Saturday night home game features a postgame fireworks show. Plus, kids age 12 and younger can run the bases after every Sunday home game.
Here’s a look at the previous team affiliations:
- Atlanta Braves: 1980-1997
- Unaffiliated: 1970-1971
- Philadelphia Phillies: 1969
- New York Mets: 1967-1968
- Houston Colt .45s/Astros 1962-1966
- Detroit Tigers: 1948-1961
- Unaffiliated: 1947
- Boston Red Sox: 1945-1946
- Brooklyn Dodgers: 1941-1943
- Cincinnati Reds: 1936-1940
- New York Yankees: 1933
- Philadelphia Phillies 1932
- Unaffiliated: 1902, 1913-1917, 1920-1931
Previous classes:
- Triple-A: 1998-present
- Class A-Advanced: 1990-1997
- Class A: 1963-1971, 1980-1989
- Class B: 1949-1962
- Class C: 1945-1948
- Class B: 1932-1933, 1936-1943
- Class C: 1921-1931
- Class D: 1913-1917, 1920
- Class C: 1902
Carolina Mudcats
In addition to standard ballpark food like hot dogs and burgers, the Mudcats also feature Big Boppers Pizza, Catfish Corner Grill, Can Pole Cantina, Grand Slam BBQ and Whiskers Cafe. Treat yourself to a catfish po’boy.
Receive a Mudcats-themed beach towel on July 22 and a Mudcats-themed backpack on Aug. 26.
The Mudcats will also give away replicas of Milwaukee Brewers-inspired game jerseys on Aug. 12.
- Atlanta Braves: 2015–2016
- Cleveland Indians: 2012–2014
- Cincinnati Reds: 2009–2011
- Florida Marlins: 2003–2008
- Colorado Rockies: 1999–2002
- Pittsburgh Pirates: 1991–1998
The Mudcats have played in Single-A since 2022. They played in Low-A in 2021, Class-A-Advanced from 2012-2020 and Double-A from 1991-2011.
In 2011, the club moved from Kinston to Zebulon. The team previously operated as the Kinston Indians from 1987-2011.
Fayetteville Woodpeckers
At Segra Stadium, an Amtrak train station is located along the facility’s third-base side. Another train track runs between the concourse and woods along the stadium’s outfield. The trains often transport troops and military cargo to Fort Liberty.
Many of Segra Stadium’s concessions pay homage to the military theme in honor of nearby Fort Liberty.
Bowley’s BBQ is named for the general who commanded the military post from 1921-1928.
The hot dog selection at Sgt. Stubby’s is named for an actual dog. Stubby was a brave K-9 that took part in 17 battles during World War I.
Every Sunday, you and three others will get four tickets, four hotdogs and four small drinks all for $44.
Other events:
- July 14: Nightmare on Hay Street: Come dressed in costume and dare to go through the haunted house in the team's batting cages.
- July 15: First 1,000 fans receive a Woodpeckers Snuggie Blanket courtesy of the Salvation Army.
- July 28: Wizards and Magic night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Wizard soccer jersey.
- July 29: Star Wars night: The first 1,000 fans will receive a “the future is here” T-Shirt.
- July 30: The first 1,000 fans will receive a Jeremy Peña bobblehead
- Aug. 5: Marvel Super Hero Day: The first 1,000 fans will receive a Marvel bucket hat.
- Aug. 17: '70s night
- Aug. 18: '90s night
- Aug. 19: Airborne Appreciation Night: The first 1,000 fans will receive Airborne retro jerseys.
- Aug. 20: Y2K 2000s night
They’ve played at the Single-A level since 2022. They played in Low-A in 2021 and Class A-Advanced from 2017-2020.
Fayetteville has had other minor league teams, including the Cape Fear Crocs (1997-2000) and the Fayetteville Generals (1987-1996).
Holly Springs Salamanders
In August 2022, Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC) has signed a contract to buy and run the Coastal Plain League (CPL), a summer collegiate wood-bat baseball league that includes the Holly Springs Salamanders.
CBC is the parent company of WRAL-TV, The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, the Holly Springs Salamanders of the CPL and other media and real estate ventures across central North Carolina. The company is purchasing the Coastal Plain League from the Petitt family, who have owned and operated the league since 1997. CBC has owned and operated the circuit’s Holly Springs Salamanders since 2017.
- July 15: Sal’s Birthday/ Fins rally towel giveaway
- July 16: Web-tastic Character Night
- July 21: Pink Out
- July 23: Christmas in July
- July 27: Bark in the Park (dogs get in free, one per customer)
- Aug. 3: Bark in the Park (dogs get in free, one per customer)
- Aug. 6: Fan Appreciation Night
The Salamanders were founded in 2015. They’ve had several players get selected in the MLB Draft, but they have yet to see a Salamanders alum reach MLB.
Pitcher Matt Frisbee has reached AAA with the San Francisco Giants after getting picked in the 15th round in the 2018 MLB Draft.
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