By Christopher Adkins | Adkins Law, PLLC – Huntersville & Lake Norman
A Mooresville icon is stepping up to the plate once again. On May 7, 2025, town officials, project designers, and community members gathered at Moor Park for a ceremonial groundbreaking that marked the start of a long-planned renovation of the town’s century-old baseball stadium.
A Field with a Storied Past
Baseball has been part of Mooresville’s story since the early 1900s, when mill teams played on the open grass near South Broad Street. By 1936, the town built a formal stadium that became home to the Mooresville Moors, a minor-league powerhouse that competed in the Carolina League, North Carolina State League, and Tar Heel League through 1953.
The Moors captured six league titles and produced Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm, remembered for his fluttering knuckleball. Their name honored the local Moor brand towels once woven at the mill across the street—a nod to the town’s textile heritage.
Nearly 90 years later, the park still hosts wooden-bat baseball through the Mooresville Spinners, 2023 champions of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League.
Purpose of the New Field
When complete, the new Moor Park will serve as Mooresville’s primary baseball venue—a year-round hub for both local and regional play. The field is being rebuilt to NCAA and wooden-bat league standards, opening the door for college tournaments, showcase events, and expanded use by travel leagues, schools, and community programs.
The Mooresville Spinners will continue to call Moor Park home, but the renovated stadium will also accommodate high school tournaments, American Legion games, youth championships, and community recreation events.
Beyond organized competition, the facility is being designed as a multi-purpose community venue—hosting summer concerts, movie nights, and family festivals in partnership with downtown businesses. The goal is to ensure the park remains active and inviting even outside the baseball season, reinforcing its role as both an athletic and cultural centerpiece.
As McAdams Co. described it, the design reflects “a fan experience unique to Mooresville—intimate, walkable, and rooted in the town’s baseball heritage.”
Breaking Ground on the Future
As Queen City News and WCNC Charlotte reported, construction is already underway on a multi-phase, multimillion-dollar project led by The Dodd Studio’s FitFields division, McAdams Co., and Adams + Associates.
Phase 1, focusing on the playing field and primary facilities, is scheduled for completion by spring 2026. Later phases will extend to surrounding streets and pedestrian corridors.
What’s Changing
- Natural-grass playing field: Rebuilt to NCAA and wooden-bat standards.
- “Green Monster” wall: A 20-foot-tall centerpiece in center field inspired by Fenway Park.
- Facilities overhaul: New restrooms, concessions, locker rooms, and maintenance areas.
- Accessibility: ADA-compliant seating, restrooms, and parking.
- Fan zones: A biergarten with high-top tables, Adirondack “sandbar” seating beside a kids’ play hill, and box-style seating for corporate and community events.
- Streetscape & parking: Redesign along Lowrance Avenue with about 300 new spaces and widened sidewalks to enhance safety and walkability.
- Stormwater innovation: McAdams engineered a drainage system beneath the synthetic-turf warning track to meet detention requirements efficiently.
Voices Around the Diamond
Mayor Chris Carney called the renovation “a win for both baseball fans and local families.”
“It will give citizens a place to enjoy a great Thursday night game,” he said, “and bring new energy and redevelopment to the entire area.”
Commissioner Gary West echoed the sentiment: “This is our culture, this is our history—it deserves our respect and attention.”
While some nearby residents have raised parking and noise concerns, downtown business owners see opportunity. Courtney Brownewel, owner of Sweetbay Home & Gift across the street, told WCNC: “Love what they are doing with the changes and upgrades.”
Building a Community Gateway
According to McAdams Co., Moor Park’s renovation is designed not just for baseball but as “an urban core experience”—a gateway connecting the southern end of downtown Mooresville. The project aligns with the town’s broader push for pedestrian-friendly streets, accessible recreation, and downtown revitalization.
As Queen City News summarized, the goal is clear: “Revitalize this historic landmark, create a destination for summer baseball, and provide new opportunities for the venue year-round.”
From Mill Town Diamond to Downtown Destination
When the new lights come on in 2026, fans will see more than a refreshed stadium—they’ll see a living link between Mooresville’s industrial roots and its thriving modern community. The same field that once hosted mill workers and minor-leaguers will again echo with cheers, laughter, and the timeless rhythm of America’s pastime.
Adkins Law, PLLC
Serving families across Mooresville, Huntersville, Cornelius, and the Lake Norman region, Adkins Law provides trusted legal representation in family law, mediation, and estate planning—helping you protect what matters most.
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