Kinston Wingmen and Lenoir Community College Ink Ten-Year Agreement for Use of Lancer Field
KINSTON, N.C. — The Kinston Wingmen, a team in the Old North State League (ONSL), have signed a ten-year agreement with Lenoir Community College (LCC) for the use of Lancer Field, the home field of the LCC Lancer Baseball Team. The agreement, facilitated by LCC Athletic Director Shelly Barnes and Senior Vice President of Administrative Services Deborah Sutton, will see the Wingmen using the field during June and July for the next decade.
The agreement also includes a commitment from Ballred LLC, the holding company that owns the Kinston Wingmen, to upgrade Lancer Field over the next ten years. These upgrades will include the construction of a press box, concession stand, and bathroom facility, with completion expected in 2025.
"We here at Ballred, are very excited for this opportunity to partner with LCC. LCC is a first-class college, with great facilities that we only hope to enhance," said Kyle Confer, COO of Ballred LLC. "Kinston is an incredible community with a rich baseball history and we are honored to be here for at least the next ten years!"
The agreement allows for the possibility of the Wingmen moving to Grainger Stadium, should they enter into a contract with the City of Kinston.
Billy Stern, General Manager of the Kinston Wingmen, emphasized the team's commitment to the community. "We aren’t just passing through. We are here to build something they can be proud of and get behind," Stern said.
Shelly Barnes, Athletic Director of Lenoir Community College, expressed her excitement about the partnership. "We believe this is an excellent opportunity to support the community, have players and families on our campus, and an opportunity to improve our facilities in the process," Barnes said.
The ONSL, a collegiate wood bat league, is the 4th largest collegiate summer league in the country and continues to attract new teams. The season runs from May to July.
Eric Sibrizzi, Commissioner of the Old North State League, expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement. "Kinston is an Old North State League community through and through. We are really excited to plant our flag there as we continue our expansion East," Sibrizzi said. "Our goal here at the Old North State League is to expand the game of baseball, while impacting the next generation of ball players. Kinston has been a baseball community for years, and with this agreement we can assure the Kinston community that high-level baseball is here to stay for a long long time."
