Play Ball: Smithfield Approves $6 Million Stadium, Welcomes Tobs Baseball In Major New Partnership

SMITHFIELD — Smithfield is officially stepping up to the plate. In a 5–1 vote on Tuesday night, the Smithfield Town Council approved a 20-year agreement to bring the long-running Wilson Tobs baseball organization to town, along with a $6 million contract to build a new 1,500-seat stadium at Smithfield Community Park. With the move, the franchise will become the Smithfield Tobs, continuing a 117-year baseball legacy while marking a major new chapter for Johnston County.

Town leaders and team executives hailed the decision as an economic and cultural milestone for the region, while the lone “no” vote—Councilman Travis Scott—raised significant concerns about cost, location, and transparency.

The new stadium, expected to open in 2027, will anchor a broader initiative to transform Smithfield Community Park into a multi-use recreation and entertainment destination. The move accompanies the Tobs’ announcement that the franchise will relocate from Wilson and rebrand with two identities: the Smithfield Tobs and the JOCO TaterHogs, an alternate name honoring the county’s farm roots.

A New Era for Baseball in Johnston County

Tobs President Greg Suire described the relocation as a “treasured opportunity” and said the move reflects strong partnerships with Smithfield and Johnston County officials.

“The entire Tobs organization is excited with the prospect of relocating to Smithfield and Johnston County,” Suire said. “Although it has been bittersweet leaving our longtime Fleming Stadium home, the professionalism and energy exhibited by the Smithfield and Johnston County elected officials and staff has been a breath of fresh air. We told our fans we would stay in our geographical footprint and because of the vision and passion of the Smithfield and Johnston County leadership we were able to accomplish this goal. Tobs Baseball is alive and well and the Smithfield and Johnston County community growth and expansion is the perfect place for our historic baseball franchise to write another chapter.”

Suire also highlighted the opportunity to bring a major entertainment attraction to the region.

“We’re bringing the new capital of baseball in Eastern North Carolina to Smithfield,” he told town leaders. “We are thrilled and excited to be here. Our organization has a track record of success, averaging over 1,200 people per baseball game last season.”

The Tobs’ identity will evolve with the move. The Smithfield Tobs brand will carry forward the franchise’s legacy, while the JOCO TaterHogs will serve as an alternate team identity paying homage to Johnston County’s farming roots and love for baseball. Both names will appear throughout the season.

The Tobs will also bring expanded programming. According to the organization, events will run from February through November, generating a steady flow of visitors for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. Eighteen former Tobs players have advanced to Major League Baseball.

The forthcoming ballpark will include modern amenities, family-focused entertainment spaces, and seating designed to bring fans close to the action. The stadium will also serve as a hub for community events and youth sports, further solidifying its role as a centerpiece of Smithfield’s growing recreational landscape.

Smithfield Mayor Andy Moore echoed that enthusiasm. “The Tobs’ decision to relocate to Smithfield reflects the strong momentum we’ve built in Smithfield and the hard work of many partners. This is a tremendous opportunity for our town, bringing new energy and family friendly entertainment to our community. We look forward to welcoming the team, supporting their transition, and creating an environment where players, fans, and families can enjoy a first class baseball experience.”

20 Year Stadium Lease Agreement

Under the approved contract, the team will lease the stadium for $1 per year during its first two seasons (2026–27). Starting in 2028, lease payments will gradually increase:

• 2028: $10,000
• 2029: $12,250
• 2030–2034: $25,000 per year
• 2035–2039: 2% annual increase
• 2044: 5% increase, followed by another 5% rise in 2047 with the automatic five-year rollover

The stadium will be built by Muter Construction, though town officials acknowledged that demolition costs prior to construction may fall outside the $6 million price tag.

Councilman Scott’s Concerns: “This Is Not the Right Location”

Councilman Travis Scott, the only dissenting vote, issued strong objections throughout the meeting and in follow-up emails shared with the media. His concerns centered on financial risk, lack of public input, incomplete planning, traffic impact, and neighborhood disruption.

Scott emphasized that homes sit fewer than 100 yards from the proposed site.

“This is not the right location for this project,” he said. “We’re signing a 20-year lease on a $6 million stadium that hasn’t even been built. There’s no site plan, and we never had a public hearing. How can we commit taxpayer money to something when so many questions remain unanswered?”

Among Scott’s additional concerns:

• Traffic and noise for neighborhoods near M. Durwood Stephenson Parkway and Buffalo Road
• The removal or relocation of soccer fields, walking paths, and existing Community Park amenities
• Allowing alcohol sales at a park where the Unified Development Ordinance currently prohibits it
• Providing the Tobs with free water and sewer service
• No revenue-sharing from ticket sales, parking, or advertising
• Unclear responsibilities for maintenance, turf replacement, and scoreboard systems
• No finalized design, budget guarantee, or defined funding plan
• No performance benchmarks or termination triggers for the franchise
• A 20-year lease with automatic extensions and limited Town access to the facility

“We are discussing leasing a facility that does not yet exist,” Scott wrote in a letter to council colleagues. “The agreement, as written, places nearly all the financial, construction, and operational risk on the Town while guaranteeing limited return.”

Tuesday night, Councilman Scott called for a public hearing and a clearer accounting of long-term impacts before the agreement takes effect. However, no action was taken.

Supporters Highlight Economic Growth

Despite the concerns, the majority of the council voted in favor, citing the economic potential for tourism, local business revitalization, and increased recreational offerings.

Mayor Moore praised the partnership, calling it “a tremendous opportunity for our town.”

“We look forward to welcoming the team, supporting their transition, and creating an environment where players, fans, and families can enjoy a first-class baseball experience,” Moore said.

The new stadium and year-round events could bring hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in visitor spending, create part-time and seasonal jobs, and strengthen Smithfield’s identity as a regional recreation hub.

Next steps

Site preparation at Smithfield Community Park is expected to begin in 2026, with soccer fields being relocated within the park and potentially to Talton Park. Construction is anticipated to begin next year, with the Smithfield Tobs taking the field for their inaugural season in the summer of 2027.