October 25, 2025
Smithfield Town Council Advances Baseball Stadium Talks
SMITHFIELD — Plans for a new baseball stadium in Smithfield took a step forward this week, as the Town Council voted to enter into negotiations with Muter Construction for the design and construction of the proposed venue. However, town officials emphasized that no formal contracts have been signed at this stage — either with Muter Construction or with any prospective team.
The proposed stadium is part of ongoing discussions involving the Wilson Tobs baseball organization, which could potentially relocate from Wilson to Smithfield. While conversations are continuing, no formal agreement has been signed between the Town of Smithfield and the Wilson Tobs, and the final outcome remains uncertain.
Despite that, town leaders said that selecting a design-builder and finalizing a stadium location are key steps in the process.
In a notable development, the proposed stadium site has shifted from its originally discussed location at Smithfield Community Park on M. Durwood Stephenson Parkway to a new site on Pitchi Street, just off North Brightleaf Boulevard.
That change prompted concern from Councilman Travis Scott, who cited existing traffic congestion on North Brightleaf Boulevard. He suggested the town explore alternative sites, including a baseball field already in place at Johnston Community College.
The motion to enter into negotiations with Muter Construction for the stadium design passed on Tuesday night by a 6–1 vote, with Councilman Scott casting the sole dissenting vote. Twelve firms had submitted a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to be selected and Muter was the top choice.
Town officials noted that any future partnership with the Wilson Tobs — or development of a team in Smithfield — would depend on multiple factors, including stadium design, location, cost, and funding, all of which remain under discussion.
No timeline has been announced for when a decision by the Wilson Tob’s will be made. Smithfield is reportedly one of several locations the baseball team is considering.
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We don’t want that in Smithfield
speak for yourself
Who is we?
Yes we do!
I believe bringing them to Smithfiled would be a wonderful positive development, especially the college camps they run- as long as the eventual site does take into account traffic ,parking, and future development.
Yes we would love to see the Tobs in Smithfield! Our youth and adults alike need something other than a movie theatre to occupy their time.
Rather have this than 1600 home subdivision
Yes, placing the stadium next to JCC makes the most sense. The college could use it and it would be right off on I-95.
Absolute waste of money. Buy a couple sets of bleachers for SSS field. Let sss boosters do concessions and let the tombs take the gate. The Clayton Clovers play on a parks and recfield on glen laurel road. There is no need to build a “stadium”.
Sounds logical… but you can’t sell alcohol on or near a school campus. Like it or not… this is a factor as far as making $$.
They don’t sell alcohol at the Clayton clovers. Plenty of places to get beer. People don’t go to ball games to get beer…. Particularly at the prices they charge.
I’m skeptical of this and personally don’t think the town council are good stewards of our tax dollars, not all members but the majority. They purchase a home across from the amphitheater for $300,000, a home barely worth $100,000. They then tear the home down and build a half million-dollar restroom on it.
Who on the council has the experience of bringing a sports team to the area? None I venture to say. I also think they should hold a public forum to get input from the citizens.
We already have a drain on tax dollars with the SCRAC facility although SCRAC was never meant to be self-sufficient. Property taxes went up significantly this year, streets need repaired, empty buildings everywhere, and new subdivisions popping up needing additional city infrastructure.
The Tobs will never be self-supporting and will need additional funding every year, taxpayer funding! This should be put on a ballot, and the citizens have a say in how their hard-earned taxes are spent. I hope they tread carefully going forward.
The Wilson tons had 26 home games last season in total. Exactly what amount of money would be necessary for a stadium to house 26 games? Definitely not worth the money for 26 games. The season only last about 3 months
I still say that our spending is out of control.