SMITHFIELD — The Town of Smithfield is taking a major swing at bringing baseball to Johnston County, entering into early negotiations with the Wilson Tobs, a Coastal Plain League team seeking a new home for the 2026 season.
On Tuesday evening, the Smithfield Town Council approved a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Tobs organization. The move positions Smithfield as one of the contenders to host the franchise, which has called the historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson home since 1939.
Town officials have been in discussions with the team for several weeks, aiming to secure a long-term partnership that would include the construction of a new stadium at Smithfield Community Park.
Town Manager Mike Scott said Smithfield has been working closely with the Tobs to put together a deal that makes sense for the town, the county, and the team.
The proposed Smithfield stadium would seat between 1,500 and 1,800 fans and host approximately 30 Tobs home games each season but also up to 130 total events annually, including youth training events, high school and college activities.
Councilman Roger Wood voiced his enthusiasm for the project, both as a fan and a resident.
“I’ve been to a few games. It’s fun and a good league,” Wood said. “I hear all the time that we need more things to do in Smithfield. We need county support. I am excited about the opportunity.”
Mayor Andy Moore echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the project’s potential to boost tourism and local business.
“I am excited about it. I truly believe this will be the number one tourism draw to Johnston County,” Moore said. “This would literally be a gamechanger for Johnston County. It is an awesome and fantastic opportunity for us.”
Moore also pointed to Smithfield’s existing hospitality infrastructure, noting the town currently has 16 hotels within its limits, with one or two more in the pipeline — enough, he said, to accommodate a surge in visitors for Tobs games and related events.
According to town officials, the estimated annual economic impact of bringing the Tobs to Smithfield could range from $8 million to $9 million.
Funding for the proposed stadium would require collaboration between the Town of Smithfield, Johnston County, and the Johnston County Tourism Authority. As of now, the Johnston County Board of Commissioners has not approved any financial support for the project.
The Tobs are aiming to relocate by the 2026 season, with a decision on their future home expected within the next 30 to 60 days.