A local insider guide to the best Minor League Baseball in NC's Triangle
Posted July 13, 2023 5:00 a.m. EDT
The 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
Overview: The Durham Bulls are the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Bulls play in the International League.
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.
Stadium: Since 1995, the Bulls have in Durham Bulls Athletic Park, a $20 million, state-of-the-art stadium designed by the award-winning architectural firm of HOK Sports.
The Bulls are known throughout the country for the classic movie “Bull Durham,” which was released in theaters on June 15, 1988. The movie was filmed at Durham Athletic Park, the former home of the Bulls. It stars Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon.
The Bulls played at Durham Athletic Park from 1926-1994.
Tickets: Tickets start at $10 for adults and $8 for kids 12 and younger.
Mascot: Wool E. Bull
Unique concessions: Local options include Brookwood Farms BBQ, Chick-fil-a, Derby Coffee, El Jefecito Tacos, Jimmy’s Gourmet Popcorn, Loco Pops, Pie Pushers Pizza, Rita’s Italian Ice and Two Roosters Ice Cream.
Best promos:
- 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.
Fireworks/special nights:
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.
In 2023, the Savannah Bananas are due to play on July 14 at the DBAP. The Bananas are known for their performative exhibitions, similar to the Harlem Globetrotters in basketball. Many of the Bananas’ videos have gone viral.
MLB affiliations: The Durham Bulls have served as the Tampa Bay Rays’ (previously the Tampa Bay Devil Rays) Triple-A affiliate since 1998.
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
Famous players: Joe Morgan, Chipper Jones, Bob Boone, Steve Avery, Andruw Jones, Evan Longoria, David Price, Wander Franco and Lawrence “Crash” Davis.
Carolina Mudcats
Overview: The Carolina Mudcats play in the Carolina League as the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Stadium: The team plays at Five County Stadium in Zebulon.
Tickets: Ticket prices range from $11-$17, plus taxes and fees.
Mascot: Muddy the Mudcat
Unique concessions: In July 2023, the Mudcats and Smithfield-based Low and Slow Smokehouse announced a new partnership. Low and Slow Smokehouse will operate a food stand at Five County Stadium for the remainder of the 2023 season and beyond.
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.
Best promos/special nights: Taco Tuesday features $2 tacos. Thirsty Thursday also features drink specials on select beer and Pepsi products.
Some of the best giveaways in the 2023 season include:
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.
Click or tap here for the Mudcats' full promotions schedule.
MLB affiliations: The Carolina Mudcats have served as an affiliate for the Milwaukee Brewers since 2017. Here’s a look at the previous team affiliations:
- 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.
Famous players: Miguel Cabrera, Matt Holliday, Adrian Gonzalez, Tim Wakefield, Francisco Lindor, Anibal Sanchez, Josh Johnson, Job Lieber, Bronson Arroyo, Chone Figgins, Dontrelle Willis, Josh Willingham, Didi Gregorius, Jason Vargas, Juan Pierre, Yasmani Grandal, Mark Johnson, Jason Kendall, Gaby Sanchez, Dave Sappelt and Travis Wood.
Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Overview: The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are the Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros and play in the Carolina League.
Stadium: The Woodpeckers have played at Segra Stadium since 2019. From 2017-2018, they played at Jim Perry Stadium.
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.
Tickets: Single-game tickets start from $12-$25, plus taxes and fees.
Mascot: Bunker
Unique concessions: Cooperstown Cantina, Dippin’ dots, Sherwood Steaks, Liberty Sausage, Homeplate Bar, Liquor Cart, Beer portable and popcorn.
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.
Best promos/theme nights:
$2 Tuesdays: Fans can enjoy select concession items for only $2 every Tuesday.
Waggin’ Wednesdays: Fans can bring their dogs for only $1. Dogs must have the following up-to-date vaccinations to enter: Rabies; Distemper; Parvo; Bordatella. Free pup cup with a concession stand purchase.
Thirsty Thursdays: Enjoy 16-ounce beers and nine-ounce wines for only $4. Plus, 16-ounce Pepsi products are only $2.
Fireworks Fridays: Every Friday night home game there is a postgame fireworks show.
Every Sunday, you and three others will get four tickets, four hotdogs and four small drinks all for $44.
Sunday Funday: After the game, kids can run the bases and families can play catch in the outfield.
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
Visit the Fayetteville Woodpeckers’ website and Minor League Baseball’s website for a full list of promotions and theme nights.
MLB affiliations: The Woodpeckers have been associated with the Houston Astros since 2017. The club was known as the Buies Creek Astros for their first two seasons.
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).
Famous players: Humberto Castellanos, Christian Javier, Enoli Paredes, pitcher Nivaldo Rodriguez and Carlos Sanabria and Jonathan Arauz.
Holly Springs Salamanders
Overview: The Holly Springs Salamanders is an amateur baseball team that plays in the East Division of the Coastal Plain League, a 16-team league. The CPL is a collegiate wood-bat summer league that runs from the end of May to mid-August, with teams composed of students who play for their respective universities or colleges and then join their CPL summer team.
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.
Stadium: The Salamanders play at Ting Park, an 1,800-seat facility featuring a synthetic turf field, two locker rooms and digital scoreboard among other amenities, and is owned and operated by the town of Holly Springs.
Tickets: Single-game tickets for the Salamanders start at $10 if purchased in advance. Children ages 2 and younger do not require a ticket as long as they are going to be sitting in a parent or guardian's lap.
Mascot: Sal the Salamander
Unique concessions: Traditional ballpark food is sold, including hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, Crackerjack, chips, soft drinks, beer and Gatorade.
Best promos/theme nights: Thursdays are Bark in the Park nights and Sundays kids run the bases after the game.
- 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.
