THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502050033
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: PAUL SOUTH
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Picture this. A warm summer night with just a hint of a breeze blowing in from right field. It is August, and the Outer Banks Shaggers are in the late innings against their arch-rival, the Kinston Indians.
Five thousand fans - munching hot dogs, sipping cold drinks, and root, root, rooting for the home team - pack Outer Banks Stadium. The aroma of peanuts perfumes the air.
The joint is rocking.
Before the image fades from your mind, think about this: It may be a dream now, but minor league baseball on the Outer Banks could become a reality.
Sure, it sounds crazy. But minor league baseball might not only survive, but could even thrive on the Outer Banks. Others believe it, too.
At least two private Dare County organizations and some individuals have informally talked with major and minor league clubs about a franchise in our backyard.
Other communities with less to offer have minor league clubs. Kinston springs to mind. The Class A Kinston Indians drew solid crowds in 1994. And keep in mind, folks, Kinston has no beach, only a handful of restaurants, and no mass appeal. When was the last time you heard about a family from D.C. driving down to Kinston for some R & R?
The Outer Banks has all those things, and more. There are enough successful businesses here not only to provide a solid local ownership base, but also to buy advertising and tickets.
Baseball would help those businesses, because those same fans eat in restaurants, play putt-putt golf, and stay in hotels and cottages.
The area has two sources for fan support - year-round residents and seasonal visitors. Good, solid marketing could put those folks in the park. Plus, think about the mainland communities like Hertford, Edenton and Williamston. Those towns have rich local baseball traditions. My guess is they would flock to the 'Banks for games.
Minor league baseball would also give northeastern and coastal North Carolina another place where families could go for a good time. Unlike other tourism areas, the Outer Banks strives to create a family atmosphere. Baseball would only serve to enhance that image.
The key to this baseball dream becoming a reality rests largely in an event nearly two years away. If the 1996 Babe Ruth World Series in Manteo is a success, there's a real chance to bring minor league baseball here. Scouts and front-office people from every major league club will be here for the tournament. And they'll be looking for more than a good young shortstop or relief pitcher. The hunt is on for new homes for minor league clubs.
The World Series announcement was less than 24 hours old Thursday, but local Babe Ruth President Ray Hollowell already had fielded calls about tickets for the series. A successful 1996 Babe Ruth Series could well be a sign of things to come.
It could happen. by CNB