Down East Bird Dawgs

Down East Bird Dawgs
Information
League	Frontier League  (East Division)
Location	Kinston, North Carolina
Ballpark	Grainger Stadium
Founded	2025
Nickname(s)	Dawgs
Colors	Black, orange, tan, white
Ownership	Cameron McRae
General Manager	Shari Massengill
Manager	Brett Wellman
Website	Official Site

The Down East Bird Dawgs (colloquially known as the Dawgs) are a professional baseball team based in Kinston, North Carolina. The Bird Dawgs compete in the Frontier League (FL) as part of the East Division in the Atlantic Conference, and play their home games at Grainger Stadium.

The franchise was formed in September 2024, by owner Cameron McRae.

History

On September 17, 2024, the Frontier League announced the addition of the Bird Dawgs, the 18th team and the second team in the 2024 round of expansion. ^[1] Grainger Stadium was vacated that month by the Texas Rangers affiliated Down East Wood Ducks. ^{[2] [3]}

On November 3, 2024, Brett Wellman was hired as the Bird Dawgs' inaugural manager, ^[4] followed by TJ White announced as the team's hitting coach on November 5 ^[5] and Reggie Harris as their pitching coach on December 3. ^[6]

On January 8, 2025, the Bird Dawgs announced their first eleven player signings for the inaugural 2025 season. ^[7]

Current roster

Down East Bird Dawgs roster

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• t
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Active roster				Coaches/Other
Pitchers -- Axel Andueza -- Zach Grace -- Drew Henderson -- Carter Raffield		Catchers -- Tyler Blaum -- Gehrig Ebel -- Manny Jackson Infielders -- Kameron Guidry -- Trotter Harlan -- Yeniel Laboy -- Jaylen Smith -- Emmanuel Tapia Outfielders -- Stephen DiTomaso -- Brandon Fields -- Cole Hill -- Cameron Masterman		Manager -- Brett Wellman Coaches -- Reggie Harris (pitching) -- TJ White (hitting) Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list  updated February 11, 2025 Transactions

References

1. "Frontier League Adds Down East Bird Dawgs In Latest Expansion". Frontier League (Press release). September 17, 2024.
2. "Down East Bird Dawgs coming to Kinston's Grainger Stadium". WITN-TV . September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
3. Sartori, Gabby; Layton, Courtney (September 18, 2024) [September 17, 2024]. "Professional baseball returns to Kinston with Bird Dawgs". WNCT-TV . Retrieved September 17, 2024.
4. "Down East Bird Dawgs Hire Brett Wellman as Field Manager" (Press release). November 3, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
5. "Bird Dawgs Lock In TJ White as Hitting Coach" (Press release). November 5, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
6. "Down East Bird Dawgs Appoint Reggie Harris as Pitching Coach" (Press release). December 3, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
7. "Bird Dawgs Announce First Player Signings in Franchise History". Frontier League (Press release). January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.

External links

• Official Site