Wilson Tobs Eye Potential Move to Smithfield, NC

Wilson Tobs play a home game at Historic Fleming Stadium, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey

The Wilson Tobs might have found their future home; they have signed a non-binding memorandum or understanding with the city of Smithfield, North Carolina, that says the town will build them a stadium.  The move would be implemented for the upcoming Coastal Plain League season.

Under the MOU, the two sides will work together to phase the construction of the stadium over the next three seasons. For the 2026 campaign, Smithfield will supply a baseball field and bleachers at Community Park. The city council said it would appeal to the county for some stadium funding.

The Wilson County Tourism Development Authority rejected the club’s $40,000 grant request in July, saying the team has no lease agreement in place at Fleming Stadium. 

Team ownership accused the city of refusing to negotiate in good faith, demanding a $500,000 commitment toward stadium renovations that don’t meet league standards. 

Wilson leaders backed a $1.75 million renovation plan for Fleming Stadium, with aluminum bleachers seating 600–1,200, that the team argues was inadequate for a full-time tenant. 

The move hopes to end the saga for the Tobs, who had hoped to remain in Wilson despite the Wilson Warbirds, a Low-A Milwaukee Brewers affiliate in the Carolina League, relocating to Wilson. The minor league club will move into a $70 million stadium that will be part of a mixed-use multifamily, hospitality, office, retail, and townhomes surrounding the stadium.

The Tobs have called Fleming Stadium home since their inaugural season in the Coastal Plain League in 1997. The original Tobs called the ballpark home between 1939-1968 when they were members of affiliated baseball.

Smithfield is 30 miles southwest of Wilson along I-95. Stadium Journey reviewed the historic ballpark this past year and said the following.

"Fleming Stadium is a historic, old-fashioned baseball stadium that is a fine place to spend a summer night watching the Wilson Tobs. With an old covered grandstand and a small-town community feel, this is baseball as it used to be played. While Fleming doesn't have all the amenities of more modern stadiums, it is still a great place to watch a game."

------

Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com