Down East Wood Ducks - wikipedia Down East Wood Ducks Down East Wood Ducks Founded in 2017 Kinston, North Carolina Team logo Cap insignia Class - level Current A-Advanced ( 2017 -- present ) Minor league affiliations League Carolina League ( 2017 -- present ) Division Southern Division Major league affiliations Current Texas Rangers ( 2017 -- present ) Minor league titles League titles ( 1 ) 2017 Division titles ( 1 ) 2017 Team data Nickname Down East Wood Ducks ( 2017 -- present ) Colors Emerald, black, orange, gold, tan, white Ballpark Grainger Stadium ( 2017 -- present ) Owner ( s ) / Operator ( s ) Texas Rangers / Rangers Kinston, LLC Manager Howard Johnson General Manager Wade Howell Media 960 AM WRNS The Down East Wood Ducks are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League ( CL ), and the owned - and - operated High - A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They are located in Kinston, North Carolina. Established in 2017, the team plays its home games at Grainger Stadium, which opened in 1949 and holds 4,100 fans. Kinston has hosted a farm club for eleven different major league franchises and one minor league club in its baseball history. Professional baseball in Kinston dates back to a 1908 squad in the Eastern Carolina League. Contents 1 History 2 Naming controversies 3 Grainger Stadium 4 Roster 5 Footnotes 6 External links History Kinston 's Grainger Stadium hosted Carolina League baseball every season from 1962 to 2011, bar a three - season gap in the mid-1970s. But in late 2010, Carolina Mudcats owner Steve Bryant announced his purchase of the Kinston Indians franchise to replace his Southern League club in Zebulon for 2012. League travel rules combined with the gradual shift of other franchises further south and west had made a Southern League franchise in eastern North Carolina untenable, and a Pensacola, Florida - based ownership group purchased the club to move to a new stadium there for 2012, arranging Bryant 's deal to replace them with a Carolina League club under the same branding at the same time. The Indians ' move left Kinston without affiliated professional baseball for the first time since 1977. Meanwhile, baseball sources had speculated as early as 2008 that two Class A-Advanced franchises could eventually move from the California League to the Carolina League, most likely the Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks. After the Indians ' departure, Kinston became an obvious destination ; by 2013, rumors suggested strongly that one club would be earmarked for Kinston in any California - Carolina shift. In July 2015, the Texas Rangers signed a tentative lease agreement with the city of Kinston should a franchise become available, but the Rangers needed a move partner before Minor League Baseball would permit a switch. Such a partner emerged in April 2016 when the Houston Astros, affiliated with the California League 's Lancaster JetHawks only through the end of that season, began discussions with Fayetteville, North Carolina about siting their affiliate at a new stadium there. During the 2016 season, the Astros and Rangers worked to secure ownership of the Bakersfield and High Desert franchises to prepare for relocation. On August 22, the Rangers announced that they would indeed site an owned - and - operated High - A affiliate in Kinston for the 2017 season. The Astros would eventually announce their own stadium deal in Fayetteville, but with no suitable facility available until the 2019 season, the Astros temporarily placed their club at Campbell University as the Buies Creek Astros. Both clubs officially entered the Carolina League as expansion franchises, with their predecessor California League franchises terminated rather than relocated. Naming controversies The new ownership group, Rangers Kinston, LLC, filed a trademark application for the name Wood Ducks on August 15, 2016. One week later, on August 22, the ownership group announced that the Rangers were bringing a team to Kinston and that there would be a naming contest for the fans. On September 16, the team announced the finalists in the contest : Down East Eagles, Down East HamHawks, Down East Hogzillas, Down East Shaggers, and Down East Wood Ducks. The names drew many negative reactions from the fans who were upset that the team would not be known by the town name, that Kinston was not part of `` Down East '' North Carolina, and that some of the names were demeaning. On November 2, the team announced that the new name would be the name that they trademarked on August 15, Down East Wood Ducks, without naming a winning fan. A similar situation happened when Kinston joined the Virginia League in 1925. The owners of that club decided that none of the submitted names in a name the team contest were satisfactory and picked a name of their own choosing - the Eagles. Grainger Stadium Main article : Grainger Stadium Grainger Grandstand, 2006. The Down East Wood Ducks play their home games at Grainger Stadium located at 400 East Grainger Avenue in Kinston. The original structure was built by architect John J. Rowland in 1949 at a cost of $170,000 inclusive of everything except the land. $150,000 of the money was raised by bond issue. The stadium is owned by the city and leased by the team. A dedicatory plaque identifies the structure as `` Municipal Stadium '', but it has been called Grainger Stadium since it was first built. Kinston Indians ownership referred to it as `` Historic Grainger Stadium '' due to its age relative to other fields in the Carolina League. It is the second oldest stadium in the circuit. The name Grainger comes from its location on Grainger Avenue as well as its use early on by Grainger High School. Grainger is a prominent old family name in Lenoir County. Roster Down East Wood Ducks roster Players Coaches / Other Pitchers -- Blake Bass 12 Wes Benjamin 25 Steven Bruce 38 Adam Choplick 40 Kyle Cody 37 Peter Fairbanks 10 Jonathan Hernández 31 Brett Martin 17 Emerson Martinez -- Yelfri Munoz -- Joe Palumbo 23 C.D. Pelham -- Austin Pettibone 21 Jacob Shortslef 19 Jeffrey Springs 35 Jose Valdespina 24 Kelvin Vasquez 15 Scott Williams 14 Cole Wiper Catchers 22 Chuck Moorman 9 Tyler Sanchez Infielders 5 Josh Altmann 2 Elio Castillo 4 Carlos Garay 36 Luis La O 18 Arturo Lara 11 Charles Leblanc -- Luis Mendez 3 Josh Morgan 44 Yanio Perez 16 Evan Van Hoosier Outfielders 8 LeDarious Clark 28 Matt Lipka 30 Preston Scott Manager 20 Howard Johnson Coaches 13 Steve Mintz ( pitching ) 33 Jeremy Moore 23 Bobby Rose ( hitting ) 60 - day disabled list -- Zack Bird -- Scott Engler 7 - day disabled list * On Texas Rangers 40 - man roster # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporary inactive list Roster updated September 8, 2017 Transactions → More MiLB rosters → Texas Rangers minor league players Footnotes Jump up ^ Hill, Benjamin ( 16 December 2010 ). `` Mudcats on the move to Pensacola ''. MiLB.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017. Jump up ^ Leventhal, Josh ( 1 August 2008 ). `` Minors Shift : Cal League May Send Two Teams To Carolina ''. Baseball America. Retrieved 4 July 2017. Jump up ^ Wolfe, Wes ( 20 October 2013 ). `` California minor league team might relocate to Kinston ''. Kinston.com. Retrieved 4 July 2017. Jump up ^ Glaser, Kyle ( 8 May 2016 ). `` CAL LEAGUE : Relocation, contraction rumors swirl once again ''. Press - Enterprise. Retrieved 4 July 2017. Jump up ^ Norris, Josh ( 28 April 2016 ). `` Shift of Cal League Franchises to Carolina League Appears Likely ''. Baseball America. Retrieved 4 July 2017. Jump up ^ Piper, Michelle. `` Baseball rolls back into Kinston ''. NewBernSJ.com. Kinston Free Press. Retrieved 23 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Kinston 's new baseball team wants your help finding name ''. WITN.com. Retrieved 23 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Rangers Kinston, LLC ''. NC Secretary of State. February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Wood Ducks trademark application ''. USPTO. August 15, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2017. Jump up ^ WITN Staff ( August 22, 2016 ). `` Professional baseball returning to Kinston in 2017 ''. WITN 9. Retrieved February 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Speddon, Zach ( September 16, 2016 ). `` Kinston Reveals Name The Team Finalists ''. Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 20, 2016. Jump up ^ WITN ( September 16, 2016 ). `` UPDATE : Many upset over Kinston Baseball choices for team name ''. WITN. Retrieved February 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Allen, Jennifer ( November 3, 2016 ). `` Down East Folks Cry Foul Over Team Name ''. Coastal Review Online. Retrieved February 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Taylor, Michelle ( September 16, 2016 ). `` Not Down East : Community reacts negatively to proposed baseball team names ''. Kinston Free Press. Retrieved February 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Ramey, Elisse ( November 2, 2016 ). `` Down East Wood Ducks new name for Kinston baseball team ''. WITN. Retrieved February 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Anon. ( February 11, 1925 ). `` Ball Club Given Name of Eagles ; Choice Of Heads ''. Kinston Free Press. Jump up ^ Mock, Jr., Frank L. ( June 1950 ). `` Kinston 's New Stadium ''. Athletic Journal. XXX ( 10 ) : 14. Jump up ^ Rowland, John J. ; Simpson, James M. ( July 1949 ). `` Stadium for All Municipal Functions, Kinston, N.C. ''. Architectural Record. 106 ( 1 ) : 121 -- 123. External links Official website Texas Rangers Formerly the Washington Senators Based in Arlington, Texas ( Dallas -- Fort Worth Metroplex ) Franchise Expansion draft History ( as Washington Senators ) Seasons Team records No - hitters Awards winners and league leaders Broadcasters Owners and executives Managers Players First - round draft picks Opening Day starting pitchers Ballparks Griffith Stadium RFK Stadium Arlington Stadium Globe Life Park in Arlington Globe Life Field Spring training Pompano Beach Municipal Stadium Ranger Stadium Surprise Stadium Culture and lore Continental League Captain ( mascot ) Ten Cent Beer Night Kenny Rogers ' perfect game 2012 AL Wild Card Game 2013 AL Wild Card tie - breaker The 53 minute 7th inning Rivalries Houston Astros Retired numbers 7 26 34 42 Key personnel Owners : Ray Davis & Bob R. Simpson General Manager : Jon Daniels Manager : Jeff Banister Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Buddy Bell Juan González Rusty Greer Tom Grieve Toby Harrah Mark Holtz Charlie Hough Ferguson Jenkins Eric Nadel Johnny Oates Iván Rodríguez Kenny Rogers Jeff Russell Nolan Ryan Tom Schieffer Rubén Sierra Jim Sundberg Tom Vandergriff John Wetteland Michael Young Wild card berths ( 1 ) 2012 American League West Division titles ( 7 ) 1998 1999 2011 2015 2016 American League championships ( 2 ) 2011 Minor league affiliates AAA : Round Rock Express AA : Frisco RoughRiders A Adv. : Down East Wood Ducks A : Hickory Crawdads Short A : Spokane Indians Rookie : AZL Rangers DSL Rangers Seasons ( 56 ) 1960s 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980s 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1990s 1998 1999 2000s 2010s 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Carolina League Northern Division Frederick Keys Lynchburg Hillcats Potomac Nationals Salem Red Sox Wilmington Blue Rocks Southern Division Buies Creek Astros Carolina Mudcats Down East Wood Ducks Myrtle Beach Pelicans Winston - Salem Dash Champions Rosters Sports teams based in North Carolina Australian rules football USAFL / EAFL North Carolina Tigers Baseball IL Charlotte Knights Durham Bulls CL Buies Creek Astros Carolina Mudcats Down East Wood Ducks Winston - Salem Dash SAL Asheville Tourists Greensboro Grasshoppers Hickory Crawdads Kannapolis Intimidators ApL Burlington Royals CPL Asheboro Copperheads Edenton Steamers Fayetteville SwampDogs Forest City Owls Gastonia Grizzlies Morehead City Marlins High Point - Thomasville HiToms Wilmington Sharks Wilson Tobs TSL Outer Banks Daredevils Basketball NBA Charlotte Hornets G League Greensboro Swarm Football NFL Carolina Panthers AAL Cape Fear Heroes High Country Grizzlies Triangle Torch Independent Winston Wildcats WFA Fayetteville Fierce IWFL Carolina Phoenix Carolina Queens LAFL Cape Fear Thunder Hockey NHL Carolina Hurricanes AHL Charlotte Checkers SPHL Fayetteville Marksmen FHL Carolina Thunderbirds Lacrosse MLL Charlotte Hounds Roller derby WFTDA Blue Ridge Rollergirls Cape Fear Roller Girls Carolina Rollergirls Charlotte Roller Girls Rogue Rollergirls Rugby SL Charlotte Rugby Club Soccer NASL North Carolina FC USL Charlotte Independence NWSL North Carolina Courage PDL Carolina Dynamo Charlotte Eagles North Carolina FC U23 Tobacco Road FC Wilmington Hammerheads NPSL Asheville City SC Ultimate AUDL Raleigh Flyers College athletics ( NCAA Division I ) FBS Appalachian State Mountaineers Charlotte 49ers Duke Blue Devils East Carolina Pirates North Carolina Tar Heels NC State Wolfpack Wake Forest Demon Deacons FCS Campbell Camels Davidson Wildcats Elon Phoenix Gardner - Webb Bulldogs North Carolina A&T Aggies North Carolina Central Eagles Western Carolina Catamounts non-football Asheville Bulldogs Greensboro Spartans High Point Panthers Wilmington Seahawks See also Sports in North Carolina List of sports venues in North Carolina Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Down_East_Wood_Ducks&oldid=799666086 '' Categories : Carolina League teams Texas Rangers minor league affiliates Baseball teams established in 2017 Professional baseball teams in North Carolina 2016 establishments in North Carolina Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 9 September 2017, at 03 : 19. 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Question: where do the down east wood ducks play
Answer: Grainger Stadium