In a home run for the community, the Southern Pines Town Council approved a 10‑year management agreement with the Sandhills Bogeys on Tuesday. The deal clears the way for the baseball team to relocate its home field to Armory Park beginning in 2027.
The deal allows the Bogeys to use, manage, and improve Armory Field while the town retains ownership and full access for its recreation programs.
“The agreement is for the Bogeys to manageuse of the Town’s athletic diamond, associated concession stand, and restroom facilities at Armory Field,” reads the official agreement. “This is a management agreement between the Town and Bogeys to provide public and private recreational opportunities. The Town recognizes the Bogeys as a locally valued organization that can provide recreational programming and special events, supplementing the Town’s programming.”
Under the agreement, the Bogeys will renovate the infield, install new fencing and bleachers, relocate their existing field lights from Sandhills Community College, and cover all utility and gameday operational costs. They will also provide lighting upgrades at J. Pleasant Hines Park.
In return, the team gains rights to charge admission, sell concessions including alcohol, rent the field during open times, and sell advertising and naming rights with town approval.
Council members spent much of the discussion reviewing scheduling protections, maintenance responsibilities, and the town’s continued priority access. The deal is a management agreement rather than a lease, ensuring the town maintains control of the facility. The town “always has priority for open times.”
The agreement also outlines how naming‑rights revenue will be handled. For the first five years, the Bogeys will keep any proceeds; after that, all net revenue must be reinvested in facility improvements.
Council members, with the charge mostly led by Ann Petersen and Bob Curtin, raised questions about parking, restroom capacity, field maintenance, and alcohol sales. Staff said the team will rely on trailer‑style restrooms to avoid overloading the existing septic system and will hire off‑duty police for gameday security. The town will continue mowing and grounds maintenance outside the infield, while the Bogeys will handle infield prep for both their games and town‑sponsored events.
The council also requested minor amendments before finalizing the agreement, including clarifying that the Bogeys’ authority to control access does not supersede the town’s.
Council members praised the partnership as a long‑term investment in local recreation and community engagement.
“What an exciting thing to have a baseball team coming to town,” Mayor Taylor Clement said before opening a vote, which passed unanimously. Public admission will begin with the 2027 Old North State League season.
Feature photo by Sandhills Sentinel photographer Melissa Schaub.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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