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Grainger Stadium Enhancements Expected to Be
in Place for Conference USA Baseball Tourney

From ECU Sports Information (11/21/02)

GREENVILLE — Plans are moving forward for East Carolina University to serve as the host school for the 2002 Conference USA Baseball Tournament at historic Grainger Stadium in Kinston.

The tournament, scheduled for May 21-26, will take advantage of a number of renovations that the 52-year-old stadium is undergoing. Fans will benefit from new box and chairback seating while the teams will play on an upgraded playing surface and utilize indoor batting cages and new 55-foot dugouts.

"We are excited about hosting the C-USA baseball tournament in Kinston in our first year in the league," said Mike Hamrick, ECU's director of athletics. "We have met with City of Kinston officials and they have shown us the renovation plans and have assured us and Conference USA that all will be ready to go."

The renovations are expected to be complete by April, in time for the beginning of the minor league (Class A) Kinston Indians` 2002 season opener, and will bring the stadium's seating capacity to 2,700.

Grainger Stadium has previously hosted several Colonial Athletic Association Baseball Tournaments and last year's NCAA Super Regional.

"We're thrilled to be able to continue our efforts with East Carolina University in bringing outstanding college baseball to eastern North Carolina," said North Johnson, president and general manager of the Kinston Indians. "We've enjoyed a great partnership and look forward to doing everything we can to help the Pirates make it to the College World Series."

Coach Keith LeClair's Pirates will participate in their first season of Conference USA baseball after winning the league championship in their last season in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2001. ECU finished last season with a 47-13 record and ranked 11th nationally.

The Pirates are scheduled to open their 2002 season in Greenville on February 15 against Delaware.

11/21/02

Click here to view East Carolina's 2002 baseball schedule.

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02/23/2007 01:35:11 PM
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