Ben says farewell DEWD to Grainger Stadium

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Grainger Stadium opened in 1949 and now stands as Minor League Baseball’s ninth-oldest ballpark. The first time I visited was in 2011, a farewell season. Following that campaign, the Carolina League’s Kinston Indians relocated to Zebulon, N.C., and, as part of a series of moves, became the Carolina Mudcats.

There was still more Minor League Baseball to come at Grainger Stadium, as 2017’s contraction of the California League and corresponding expansion of the Carolina League resulted in the formation of the Down East Wood Ducks (Single-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers). The Down East geographical signifier references a specific area of the North Carolina coast near Kinston and is also utilized as a catchall phrase for the portion of the state that is “down east” of Raleigh.

The Wood Ducks were owned by the Rangers until earlier this season, when they were purchased by Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH). Their acquisition by DBH was followed by the announcement that the team will move to Spartanburg, S.C., in 2025 and begin a new era as the Hub City Spartanburgers. The Spartanburgers will play in the High-A South Atlantic League, with the Rangers’ current High-A affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads, moving to the Carolina League.

Putting aside the endless machinations and maneuverings that are part and parcel of the Minor League Baseball landscape, the end result is this: The Wood Ducks are in the homestretch of their “Fowl Well” season, Grainger Stadium’s last as host of an affiliated team. It’s 75 years old and would need a lot of work (and therefore a lot of money) to meet current facility standards. Kinston has a population of approximately 20,000 people and is one of Minor League Baseball’s smallest markets.

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This is why I made sure to visit Grainger Stadium this season, as the first stop of a (mostly) North Carolina road trip on July 26. I wanted to say goodbye to a charming place, a paragon of smalltown baseball and venerable representative of a bygone era.

Grainger is a renowned surname in the Kinston area. Grainger Stadium is located on East Grainger Avenue, in a location that had previously been home to Grainger High School. The ballpark is named specifically for one Jesse Willis Grainger, a major donor to its construction. The area adjacent to it on its third-base side is quiet and residential, making for a strange juxtaposition.

Grainger Stadium’s layout is straightforward, as one would expect from a ballpark that opened during Truman’s second term. A covered grandstand, with the concourse running behind it, gives way to metal bleachers down the baselines.

A newer (2018) addition is the right-field pavilion. I was in attendance for a gray and slightly rain-delayed doubleheader that began at 5 p.m, so here’s a picture of the pavilion in more vibrant times.

The arrival of the Wood Ducks in 2017 precipitated a wave of duck-themed signage and logos around the ballpark -- including on the water tower overlooking left field -- as well as the liberal use of the acronym “DEWD” in the team’s marketing materials.

And speaking of DEWD, that’s the name of the mascot as well. (In the below photo, I’m on the right.)

Duck facts abound throughout the ballpark -- did you know that baby ducks eat unassisted as soon as they are born? -- and the bathrooms are appropriately labeled.

Friday’s evening game was a twinbill in more ways than one, with the Wood Ducks taking on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (because both ducks and woodpeckers have bills, you see). I talked to longtime fans and members of the front office as I wandered about; the overall mood was bittersweet, with ballpark regulars trying to savor what remains while wondering what the future holds. (Given North Carolina’s robust baseball scene, it seems plausible that a summer-collegiate or independent team would view Grainger Stadium as an appealing location.)

Mike Grady, a special needs fan, is the heart and soul of Grainger Stadium. He’s at every game, sitting down the third-base line, going after foul balls and giving them to kids. He gives the umps and opposing team a hard time while fervently rooting for the Wood Ducks.

“I love it,” he said. “It feels like home to me.”

Doug and Anne Barnes have been Grainger Stadium regulars for decades. Anne remembers going to games as a child, when the team that played there was the Kinston Eagles (1962-81). Doug spoke fondly of the Indians era (1990-2011), rooting for the likes of Jim Thome, CC Sabathia and Manny Ramirez.

“There’s going to be a void. We’ve been doing this for so many years,” he said.

Donald Speight saw his first game at Grainger Stadium in 1958 (!) and he went on to play amateur games there as well. He remembers rooting for the dynamic pitching duo for the 1962 Eagles, Steve Blass and Frank Bork, and remembers seeing local standout Jim Ray Hart as he was making a name for himself prior to signing with the San Francisco Giants.

“It’s a sad day for Kinston,” he said, of the Wood Ducks’ imminent departure. “A sad, sad day.”

Navigating a final season is obviously tough from an operational standpoint, as regards both employee retention and fan apathy. General manager Jon Clemmons and AGM Janell Fitch, both North Carolina natives, are doing an admirable job navigating the situation (stay tuned for an interview with Clemmons on an upcoming episode of “The Show Before the Show” podcast). Even amid the uncertainty, there is plenty to celebrate.

In addition to “Fowl-well” season giveaways, ballpark displays and recognitions of longtime employees, the team is also celebrating its connection to the reigning World Champions. The Texas Rangers’ World Series trophy will be on display Sept. 6, the Wood Ducks’ antepenultimate regular-season home game. July 12’s giveaway, meanwhile, had a nice ring to it.

There is now just one month to go in the Wood Ducks’ regular season and 16 home games remain. Check out a game, DEWD. You’ll be glad you did.

As always, thank you for reading. Get in touch anytime. All of my road trip itineraries can be found HERE.