Grainger Stadium - Down East Bird Dawgs

Photos by Gregory Koch,, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43

Grainger Stadium 400 E Grainger Ave Kinston, NC 28501

Down East Bird Dawgs website Grainger Stadium website

Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 4,100

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Baseball Returns to Kinston (Again)

Baseball has been played at Historic Grainger Stadium in Kinston, North Carolina since 1949. Initially used by Grainger High School, the stadium became home to Minor League baseball in 1978 when the Kinston Eagles of the Carolina League came to town. The club would play under several different names over the next few decades, most notably the Kinston Indians from 1987 to 2011, before relocating to Zebulon, North Carolina in 2012 to become the Carolina Mudcats. (This was part of a series of relocations where the original Mudcats of the Southern League moved to Pensacola, Florida and the new Mudcats joined the Carolina League.)

Affiliated ball would return to Kinston in 2017, as the Carolina League expanded by two teams and the California League contracted accordingly. The Down East Wood Ducks would call Grainger Stadium home through 2024, but in 2025, they relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina to become the Hub City Spartanburgers.

However, baseball was not gone at Grainger Stadium. A new team, the Down East Bird Dawgs, joined the independent Frontier League. Grainger Stadium continues to be one of the most historic baseball stadiums in North Carolina, still in use more than 75 years after it was built.

Food & Beverage 4

There are several concession stands at Grainger Stadium, but only one was open when we visited on a Sunday afternoon, located all the way down the right field line. In addition to the standard options, such as hot dogs, chicken tenders, and burgers, more unique options include pulled pork sandwiches and mac and cheese. Snacks include fried cheese curds, fries, soft pretzels, popcorn, nachos, peanuts, chips, Cracker Jacky, and candy. Soda and bottled water are available, as is beer for those of age. Prices are reasonable - a hot dog is just over $4, a cheeseburger $8. and chicken tenders $10 although they do come with fries which adds to the value.

There are also some picnic tables outside the concession area where fans can sit and eat while they watch the game.

Atmosphere 3

Grainger Stadium is, at its core, an old ballpark that lacks many of the bells and whistles that you would see in newer stadiums. The seats behind home plate are the classic covered grandstand that used to be quite common. The good news is the roof will keep you shaded from the hot Carolina sun. The bad news is that the poles which prop the roof up may obstruct your view. These beams will partially block the view in Row E and above, with seats close to the aisle being particularly affected due to the placement of the poles.

The Bird Dawgs keep fans entertained with many between inning contests, including a race on inflatable ponies and other creative competitions. The team mascot is Rowdy the Dawg, and he is a fan favorite who roams the stands entertaining the crowd.

There are two scoreboards at Grainger Stadium, a basic one in right field that just shows the line score and a more elaborate one in left field showing graphics and player stats.

Neighborhood 3

Grainger Stadium is located in a residential neighborhood of Kinston, so there isn't much to do in the immediate vicinity. However, if you head west along Vernon Avenue or south along Queen Street, you will find many places to eat, drink, and hang out within a mile or so of the ballpark. King's Restaurant is a popular barbecue joint, while Plaza de Mariachi is known for its Mexican. You will also find other options ranging from fried chicken to burgers to pizza to Japanese. Kinston is not the largest town, but it is still a nice enough place to visit.

Fans 2

Attendance has gone down significantly in Down East, particularly since they lost their affiliated ball. The Bird Dawgs are averaging barely over 1,000 fans per game this season as of the time of writing, which puts them near the bottom of the Frontier League. The fans who do show up are pretty knowledgeable about the team and the ballpark, but are dead silent most of the time other than just talking to each other about the game. The crowd here is neither involved nor large, and that's not a good combo.

Access 4

Grainger Stadium is located off State Route 70, about 20 minutes from I-795. On most days, you should be able to make good time getting to the ballpark, even if you have to deal with a few traffic lights. Parking is available in a large lot that is way too big for the crowds the team draws, so you should be able to park very close. The concourse is more than wide enough to accommodate the small crowds, as are the restrooms. Getting out could be a problem if there were large crowds, due to exiting onto a side street before turning onto the main road, but this will rarely if ever happen.

Return on Investment 5

Tickets to most Bird Dawgs games are $10, or $5 for kids tickets. On Tuesdays, all tickets are just $2. Concessions are affordable and parking is free. Overall, a Bird Dawgs game is an excellent value and one of the most affordable professional baseball experiences you will find.

Extras 3

Look for the signs on the concourse featuring fun facts about the Frontier League.

There is a water tower in left field with the Bird Dawgs logo.

A third and final star for the team store on the concourse near the entrance.

Final Thoughts

Grainger Stadium is a historic ballpark in a small town. While it isn't the fanciest stadium by any means, it has the charm and history that many of the newer venues lack. Unfortunately, the crowds have not shown up in recent years, particularly with the move to Indy Ball, and a Bird Dawgs game can feel like a ghost town at times.