Historic Grainger Stadium opened in 1949 and is located in Kinston, North Carolina. When the ballpark first opened, it was the home park of the Coastal Plain League's Kinston Eagles and primarily hosted Carolina League ball, first joining that circuit in 1956 and later hosting the league from 1978-2011. During that time, the team was a Cleveland affiliate from 1987-2011. The Kinston Indians hoisted the Carolina League's Mills Cup in 1988, 1991, 1995, 2004 and 2006 and produced future big-league stars like Albert Belle, Bartolo Colon, Manny Ramirez, CC Sabathia and more.
The K-Tribe left town following the 2011 campaign, and the Minor Leagues were absent from Kinston until their return in 2017 when the Down East Wood Ducks and Buies Creek Astros joined the Carolina League. Following the departure of the Wood Ducks in 2024, a brand-new professional baseball team in the Frontier League, a partner league of the MLB, will call Grainger Stadium home, with the announcement of the Down East Bird Dawgs. The Bird Dawgs are set to begin play in May 2025.
Built just after the end of World War II, Grainger Stadium was built by the city and is in a neighborhood just northeast of downtown Kinston and has hosted teams in the Carolina, Virginia, Eastern Carolina and Coastal Plain Leagues over its lifespan.
Grainger Stadium has a covered grandstand, a staggered outfield wall complete with local sponsor billboards, a few rows of field-level seats that stretch down the right-field line, and of course, Mother Earth Pavilion, a 10,000 square-foot, two-level outdoor bar, patio and seating area sponsored by distinguished local craft beer sensation Mother Earth Brewing.
The ballpark has expanded concessions and team store for fans, as well as refurbished player amenities like clubhouses, the front office and a training facility.
Coming in 2025, Grainger Stadium will have a brand-new state-of-the-art video board installed, along with a new patio area on the third base side.
- Capacity: 3,400
- Dimensions: Left field, 335 feet; Center field, 395 feet; Right field, 335 feet