HOUSTON, Texas – Earlier today, the Houston Astros announced that the Carolina League Buies Creek Astros will serve as the temporary Astros Class A Advanced affiliate for the 2017-18 seasons. The Buies Creek Astros will make their home at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.
Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan, Astros Senior VP of Business Operations Marcel Braithwaite, Buies Creek and Greeneville Astros General Manager David Lane, Carolina League President John Hopkins and Fayetteville Councilmember Jim Arp were joined by Campbell University President J. Bradley Creed and Director of Athletics Bob Roller at the press conference, held at Jim Perry Stadium on the Campbell University campus.
The Houston Astros extend their sincerest gratitude to Campbell University for their hospitality and partnership for the next two years. We look forward to calling North Carolina and the Carolina League home.
“The Houston Astros are proud and excited to be here at Campbell University and Buies Creek to announce that this will be our temporary home for the 2017 and 2018 seasons,” said Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan. “When we started looking at the Carolina League, it’s a project we’ve been working on for two years. We are still working on a permanent facility in Fayetteville, but it couldn’t have happened without Buies Creek and Campbell University, and we’re proud and honored to be a part of this today.”
The Astros organization has agreed to provide and install a completely new synthetic turf for Jim Perry Stadium. Construction will begin immediately, and will be completed in time for the 2017 Campbell University baseball season and the Buies Creek Astros season. The construction of the new turf field will be done by ProGrass.
“Today marks another milestone for Campbell University to reach out to the local and surrounding communities with the Buies Creek Astros moving to Jim Perry Stadium,” said Campbell University President J. Bradley Creed. “As a native Texan, it gives me great pride to see the Lone Star logo making its way to our new home. We look forward to this exciting partnership.”
“It’s an everyday goal of ours to brand Campbell University to the nation, and the opportunity to introduce the Buies Creek Astros today is a major step,” said Campbell Director of Athletics Bob Roller. “The improvements that are coming to Jim Perry Stadium are incredible. The Astros organization has been first class in every way as we have worked through this agreement, and we can’t wait for opening day!”
The Buies Creek Astros will open the 2017 season at home as they take on the Salem Red Sox on Thursday, April 6. Prior to the 2017 season, the Astros High A affiliate had been located in Lancaster, Calif. dating back to 2009.