History
All of our organizations in the Blue Ridge League possess proud histories. In addition to our clubs having developed top-tier talent as summer collegiate organizations, many of our facilities have been focal points of summer baseball for decades within our communities.
The Disco Turkeys' stadium, before Wake Forest University's ownership, had been the traditional home of minor league baseball in Winston-Salem.
The Marion Hungry Mothers' stadium was home to two professional teams, including the Marion Mets where Nolan Ryan made his pro debut and, before that, the Welch/Marion A's.
The Queen City Corndogs' franchise was known as the Carolina Vipers/Venom in the early 2000s.
Below are players who have gone on to pro careers from our programs, along with notable other players to play summer baseball at our facilities.
Carolina Disco Turkeys
Austin St. Laurent - drafted by Seattle Mariners (14th Round / 2024)
Adam Conrad - signed as free agent by San Diego Padres (2024)
Chase Jessee - signed by Sioux City of American Association (2025); spent two previous seasons in Pioneer League where he led the league with 9 wins in 2024; signed with Kansas City Royals organization (2025)
Alex Canty - signed by Billings Mustangs of Pioneer League (2024); spent two previous seasons in Pecos League
Notable players who played summer baseball at the Disco Turkeys' Couch Ballpark during the stadium's time as a minor league park:
Wade Boggs - elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Earl Weaver - elected to Baseball Hall of Fame (as manager)
Jim Lonborg - winner of the 1967 AL Cy Young Award
Sparky Lyle - winner of the 1977 AL Cy Young Award
More than 30 MLB All-Stars, including Jim Abbott, Aaron Boone, Dwight Evans, Gio Gonzalez, Mike Greenwell, Carlos Lee, Jamie Moyer, Rick Burleson, Heathcliff Slocumb, Aaron Rowand, and many others
Marion Hungry Mothers
Notable players who played summer baseball at the Hungry Mothers' Hurricane Stadium during the stadium's time as a minor league park:
Nolan Ryan - elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Former MLB All-Stars Jim Bibby, Jody Davis, Jerry Morales and Birdie Tebbetts
Queen City Corndogs
Dillon Lewis - drafted by New York Yankees (13th Round / 2024)
Rhett Lowder - drafted by Cincinnati Reds (1st Round / 2023 - MLB Debut in 2024)
Austin Parsley - signed as free agent with High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League (2022)
Cooper McKeehan - drafted by Kansas City Royals (16th Round / 2022)
Justin Kunz - drafted by Los Angeles Angels (33rd Round / 2019)
Dillon Hardy - drafted by Houston Astros (18th Round / 2017)
Clay Middleton - drafted by Texas Rangers (22nd Round / 2016)
Eric Kimber - signed as free agent by Kansas City Royals (2015)
Uwharrie Wampus Cats
Ethan Young - drafted by St. Louis Cardinals (5th Round / 2025)
Joanna Hornets
Among those who it's been confirmed played on the Joanna Stadium field are Tommy Lasorda (1947 Hornet), Guy Prater, Ralph "Snow" Prater, Johnny Moore, Bruce Galloway, Billy O'Dell and Cecil "Wheeze" Farmer
Greenwood Baseball Club