A new deal between the Sandhills Bogeys and the Town of Southern Pines is shaping up to be a home run for both parties. The Bogeys are one step closer to finding a new home field as Southern Pines officials consider a long-term agreement for the team to play at Armory Field in the Southern Pines Sports Park.
Previously, the collegiate summer baseball team has played its home games at Sandhills Community College. That arrangement, however, will end early due to construction on campus and the loss of the ball field, breaking the contract.
As a result, Bogeys representatives have met with town staff several times in recent months to discuss a move to Armory Field.
The Bogeys are requesting a minimum 10-year agreement beginning with the 2026 summer season. In exchange, they have committed to investing between $200,000 and $300,000 in upgrades to not just Armory Park, but other Southern Pines parks as well.
Those improvements would include new fencing and field upgrades to bring the facility to collegiate standards, relocating grandstands and lights from the college, and installing new lights at J. Pleasant Hines Park.
According to the council, lighted fields are “at a premium” in Southern Pines. During initial talks, the town informed Alec Allred, owner of the Bogeys, of this premium. As a result, Allred agreed to purchase and install lights at J. Pleasant Hines Park as part of their initial investment. The addition of lights at Hines Park would expand opportunities for other sports and ease scheduling demands on Armory Field.
Other phased investments could include new concession facilities and parking expansions.
Town recreation baseball and softball programs would continue using Armory Field under the proposal, with Bogeys games integrated into the schedule. The Bogeys would coordinate with other third-party users, such as homeschool leagues and local clubs. Town staff would maintain the field, while the team would handle game-day preparation.
Of all the talking points presented, Allred said there was one that was nonnegotiable: the sale of beer and wine at Bogeys games.
Beer and wine are sold by third-party vendors at Bogeys games and make up a significant part of the team’s revenue, but Southern Pines ordinances currently prohibit alcohol sales and consumption at Armory Field. Council would need to amend the ordinance to allow sales in a confined area during games.
Allred said exterior fencing would be added to ensure compliance with state permitting requirements and that customers wouldn’t be able to leave the designated, fenced-in area with their alcoholic beverages, and the council was agreeable.
When asked about crowd sizes and capacity, Allred explained average attendance could reach 750 to 800 spectators, with opening day crowds as high as 1,500. Allred anticipates coordinating with law enforcement to staff events, typically one officer for every 500 people, with additional officers stationed in alcohol sales areas.
Because Armory Field was improved decades ago with a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, the site must remain dedicated to public recreation. Town staff reviewed the proposal with federal contacts and reported no expected concerns with hosting ticketed events at the field.
Although no vote was taken, council members indicated they had no concerns with the requests. As the discussion came to a close, council members stepped up to the plate and expressed the consensus that they were interested in considering a formal user agreement with the Sandhills Bogeys for Southern Pines Sports Park.
~ Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021. Photo by Sandhills Sentinel photographer Melissa Schaub.
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