![]() ![]() Greenville Drive owner says focus is on his franchise "Anyone who contends Spartanburg cannot support a team should become more familiar with local demographics and the notion that regionalism can co-exist with competition," Smith added. "Furthermore, Spartanburg County for years has led the Upstate and South Carolina in investment and new job creation. "Spartanburg is adding 18 residents a day and interestingly enough, the greatest majority of new residents are coming from Greenville County," Smith said. Spartanburg will make MLB look like geniuses for their decision to come here."Īllen Smith, president and CEO of OneSpartanburg, Inc., said the Upstate is large enough for the federal government to designate multiple statistical areas, and Major League Baseball recognizes that. "Spartanburg will draw fans from neighboring counties as well as our neighboring North Carolina counties and our new downtown will flourish. We will set attendance records and that will just help Greenville, too. "We have already excited supporters asking to buy season tickets and the ink is barely dry on the deal. "Without a doubt, the Upstate can support two minor league teams," Britt said. He believes the Drive will continue to thrive while the Hub City builds its fanbase. "What I can tell you is that all necessary approvals needed to bring the team to Spartanburg have been secured," Geordy Johnson, president of the company, said.īritt said he believes there is plenty of room for both teams. The Johnson Group, a family of companies based in Spartanburg, will develop Spartanburg's new stadium. Jamie Lovegrove, a spokesman for NP Strategy of Columbia, which represents Diamond Baseball Holdings, said he wasn't aware of any team proximity hurdles. "We are excited about having our Minor League affiliate in a tremendous new facility in the next couple of years." "The Texas Rangers look forward to working with DBH and The Johnson Group as they move forward on the stadium project in Spartanburg," Neill Leibman, Texas Rangers COO and president of business operations, said in a statement. View Gallery: PHOTOS: Greenville Drive's Opening Week The new Spartanburg team will compete in the Low-A, Carolina League. "There is no such rule against that," Zee McCabe, a customer service representative for Major League Baseball, said of team proximity.Īnother Major League Baseball source with knowledge of the situation said, when the league approved the sale of the Teas Rangers' Kinston, N.C., team to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) and planned relocation to Spartanburg, "No waiver was required," despite the proximity to the South Atlantic League's Greenville Drive franchise, a High-Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. In addition, the new Spartanburg team and the Drive will play in different classifications and leagues. ![]() A friendly level of competition will just add to the level of excitement."įor those who may wonder, Minor League teams can be located within the same proximity. "The Greenville Drive will continue to be great," Britt said. Yes, according to Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt, who was among Spartanburg leaders who pushed for bringing a team to the Hub City. Is there room for two professional teams in the Upstate? The new Spartanburg stadium behind the AC Hotel will seat 3,500, according to officials. Last year, 317,150 people attended 65 home Drive games at Flour Field, an average of 4,879 each game. Watch Video: 96-year-old WWII veteran sings the national anthem at baseball gameīusiness leaders and city, county and state officials celebrated last week's announcement that a Minor League baseball team and a new stadium is coming to downtown Spartanburg.īut there was little mention that another Minor League team, the Greenville Drive, are located just 30 miles away. ![]()
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