Smithfield Selects New Community Park Site For Tobs Stadium, Reversing Course Again
SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The Town of Smithfield has selected a new site for its long-debated baseball stadium, returning the project to Community Park just weeks after abandoning plans to build there.
Town officials confirmed this week that 58 acres located behind Smithfield Community Park will serve as the future home of the Smithfield Tobs. The land was recently donated by the Lampe family and had not been available during earlier site evaluations because the property transfer had not been completed.
The announcement marks another major shift in a project that has faced months of controversy over cost, transparency and location.
In early April, the Smithfield Town Council unanimously voted to halt a proposed $6 million stadium at Community Park and instead pursue a long-term lease agreement for the team to play at the American Legion ballfield on Pitchi Street. That decision followed public criticism over rising costs, limited parking, traffic concerns and the loss of existing park amenities.
Town leaders now say the newly available acreage changes the equation.
Following additional site evaluation, community input and cost considerations, officials determined the expanded Community Park site offers a more practical long-term solution.
“This decision reflects a thoughtful and strategic approach to ensuring the long-term success of this project,” Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett said in a statement. “We listened to our community, carefully evaluated our options, and, after multiple meetings and discussions, are moving forward with a plan that positions Smithfield for both immediate and future success.”
Unlike the previously proposed stadium footprint, which was constrained by space and infrastructure limitations, the larger site is expected to accommodate expanded parking and future recreational development. Town officials said the plan allows for sufficient parking for stadium events while also supporting year-round use at the park.
The additional acreage also opens the door for broader park expansion, including the potential for new soccer fields, a cross country course and other amenities.
The project has been under intense scrutiny since late 2025, when the town approved a 20-year agreement with the Tobs and a stadium plan initially estimated at nearly $6 million. Subsequent discussions revealed key components — including permanent restrooms, concessions, paved parking and roadway improvements — were not included in that estimate, raising concerns among council members and residents about the true cost.
Councilman Travis Scott, who has repeatedly criticized the project, previously said he did not believe the council had been fully informed about the stadium’s total cost. Residents also raised concerns about traffic on Buffalo Road and the impact on existing park facilities.
The controversy deepened in March after it was revealed the town purchased nearby land above tax value in a transaction that was not publicly disclosed until after closing, prompting additional questions about transparency and decision-making.
The town said it will now begin planning for site improvements at the Community Park location. Officials anticipate the Smithfield Tobs will begin play in Smithfield in 2027.
The project’s total cost, funding sources and final design details have not yet been released.
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Why does Smithfield need a baseball field? Because them “Yankees” aka free******** ***** sneaky canadian feminist need a mosque to put up 😬
Hi! Yankee here. Our family has never, ever been in support of building a da*n baseball stadium in Smithfield. You backwood southerners take your baseball and travel ball FAR MORE SERIOUSLY than any other sport. Maybe if y’all remember there are other sports like soccer, basketball, tennis, or that our community desperately needs functional walking trails and playgrounds and splash grounds for our kids our council wouldn’t be blowing millions on ONE SINGLE STADIUM. But what would I know, I’m just a Yankee.
Since you are a Yankee, you have no right to an opinion on anything that goes on in Johnston County. If you weren’t born here, you are an implant, no matter how long you have been here. If you call us backwoods southerners, why are you here? Please for all of us backwoods southerners, go back where you came from. Trust me when I say, we do not want you here.
Lana, your ignorance is showing.
Oh, I guess I’m one of those backwoods people. That’s exactly what I want to be. Where is your full name Dave?
If you want to label yourself as a “backwoods” people, please be my guest. Once again, your ignorance is showing. Keep up the great work little lady.
Town of Smithfield is beating a dead horse. No One wants this stadium or anything to do with it. They really should just let it go!
Typical, same Ole bulls**t with the ” privileged calling the shots. These as*****es can’t even PAVE 2ND ST- which has needed it for 20 freaking years and is widely traveled on a daily basis, but yet don’t mind increasing property tax to waste on a da*n ball stadium that only a handful of people give a **** about!!!
The town clearly gets what they want 🙄… and we sheep’s just pay for it 🤷♀️
Clearly another funnel 🙄
Politicians are such dopes. What a colossal waste of money for a team that plays 22 home games a year. They will NEVER recoup the money for this debacle. What a bunch of idiots.
Lampe’s donate land.
“Donated” the land? Of used it as a ***** to get the council to approve a zoning request for a development they could profit off of?
Personally I see it as more of a ***** than a donation. But that’s just my opinion.
So what? You think the land is the only cost?
Lampe’s donate land
The land was part of a conditional zoning request they had made when they got approved for their new development off of buffalo rd. Not sure you would call that a donation since they received value for their “gift”.
The top picture shows a baseball field ready to go a short distance from where they want to build!
That field you see is the SSS baseball field , school board property…
It’s interesting that you think the school board owns the schools.
@GenEcks give it up, huh?! school board do not actually own school property…. DUH! Can we just keep the conversation above 10th grade level!!??
Better spot at the park, as a money making venture to town coffers this will most likely fail. As a potential source of community enrichment and venue for family fun it may be a winner, Many on Wilson did like the team and it’s events
Whether we build a baseball stadium or not thank you to the Lampe family for their gift to the citizens of smithfield!!!!!THANK YOU LAMPE FAMILY!!!
So if the generous Lampe family gifted the Town of Smithfield this land why not help Smithfields homeless vets and others to live on this gift.
Pls stop this fiasco. Five counties couldn’t support a baseball team. Somebody went fishing and Wilson bit now Smithfield is the next to get shafted or at a minimum the taxpayers will
Can someone tell me what a “Tob” is?
It is short for Tobacco…Wilson, the city the team originated in, was a very large tobacco producer on the east coast…back when everyone smoked. 🙂
Are the multimillionaire owners of the “tobs” going to completely pay for this stadium and all the necessary traffic improvements that are going to be needed? They should be perfectly fine with covering all these expenses unless they already know it will be a colossal waste of money. (We all know it will be a colossal waste of money!) NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS!!
What a boondoggle. The Clayton Clovers rarely get 100 people for their games and they are champs. They play in a town park.
Nobody wants this. For **** sake focus on something that actually matters.
As much infrastructure as Smithfield already needs, why is a ballpark a priority? There must be some personal gain for the counsel members that cannot see that the residents of Smithfield and Johnston County could care less about a ballpark. Even if revenue was $100K per game (which is a STRETCH), at 22 games per year, and after expenses, it would take a minimum of 5-6 years to break even. Look at how much infrastructure could be funded by that money. With the thousands of houses they are letting in, infrastructure is most important.
1. Building of the BB field (for the TOBS) announced.
2. Town council announces that lans for the BB field have been scrapped.
3. Town announces, BB field will be built after all!
Who is kissing who’s _ _ _ on the council?
How does this fix the traffic problem again?
I would very much like to know what the plan is for the land that the Smithfield Council purchased with the County Commissioner facilitating the transaction and personally financially profiting from it.
@Jay Lee, I’m in agreement with you… but as a REALIST…please let me give you a little insight: SHE IS A “PRETTY, POPULAR , POWERFUL, BUSINESSWOMEN, AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER… !! IT is pretty self explanatory…
Just remember, you’re the ones that voted for these IDIOTS
Things such as this are not going to stop with these folks. It’s their 2nd income. All are friends with general contractors, construction company owners, logging companies, land clearing and the list goes on. Have you ever noticed there’s never any money left; however, coming soon utility bill increases for infrastructure upgrades and repairs, tax increases for new county buildings, vehicles etc. Take a look at the ad for the upcoming county auction. Example, these vehicles just setting, waiting there to be auctioned on May 3rd have already been replaced with brand new ones to make sure these folks cruise around in the latest and greatest on city and county citizens dollar, (used to be dime, inflation has hit).
These people don’t even want a ball field; it’s only a method of acquiring money.
I am concerned about the environmental impact in the area as well as the impact on nearby homeowners.
Can you imagine the cost to clear, grade and prep that land for a baseball field? That alone will be a million dollars AT LEAST. Then the construction, field etc……..Smithfield is dreaming of they think this will be profitable . The Tobs weren’t profitable in Wilson . They play only 22 home games a year. Smithfield town council makes me laugh.
Actually The ##WilsonTobs played 22 H #CPL games PLUS ~4 exhibition games PLUS usually a couple of playoff games. SO, about 28 games/summer. Also, American Legion played in #HistoricFlemingStadium when Tobs on road.Also, a dozen teams from New England came in early Spring because of cold weather up North. Also youth baseball camps
#1Tex
I absolutely do not understand why this ridiculous idea continues to be an option. It seems positively absurd to me. Can we all just say “NO!”?
how about some decent affordable housing instead of a useless baseball field? or just let nature be instead of demolishing another forest for something entirely pointless no one wants. put it to a referendum if you dare my guess 85% no. so easy to spend other people’s money i guess
It would be my best guess, the RICH /VERY RICH MULTIMILLIONAIRE OWNERS OF THE “TOBS” were about to carry Smithfield, and Johnston County (which means- TAXPAYERS!) into court with their VERY REAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION…for reneging on the deal, altogether! AND thus, oh hey “We just suddenly found a way out of this mess”!! The Least these dumb*** idiots could do would be change THAT DUMB *** NAME!!!
OMG wait until someone wants to put a Data Center in Smithfield.
Very unstable impulsive Town Council.
Godforbid you ruin my inheritance like all those other “waiters” oh wait Chris said that I was no longer apart of the family soooooo………
first, the Lampe family should be thanked for this generous donation. No matter what the land is used for that is a generous act. second, since this is such a divisive issue, why wont they put it on the November ballot for the voters to decide? Stop letting the manager make the decisions. She spoke with the constituents? Who? Just let the voters decide. lastly, they obviously aren’t using the land they bought behind closed doors so just get rid of it. Sell it. All that with transparency–look that word up commissioners.
Mike Scott got us into this crap and then left town
I wonder what Smithfield is going to do with the land their personal county commissioner sold them?
Take a look at this. We’re paying these 2 people (photons, a single element of light, not very bright) this
PICKETT, KIMBERLY Assisitant Town Manager $146,265.60
SCOTT, MICHAEL Town Manager $160,513.60
To make such crazy wasteful decisions on a daily basis.
My vote is to fire all, (every single one, the entire council) of them and start over. No help is better than bad help, at least you know where you stand. These people in these positions are a gross tragedy.
And to think we all thought it couldn’t get any worse than Rocky Mount!!!
Travis Scott seems to be the only council member fighting this and the line no vote for all of the new development. Keep him, make him mayor and fire everyone else!!
Travis Scott needs to be chairman of the county commissioners!
To me this is way too much pay for the town manager and assistant town manager these salaries need to be decreased!!!