The city of Wilson is making a significant move by investing a substantial amount of $64 million. This investment is aimed at building a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment stadium. This stadium is set to serve as a central hub for a brand new Minor League Baseball team. It holds great promise not only for baseball but also for the community as a whole. The downtown location of the stadium is a strategic one, as it will also be the venue for concerts and various community events. This has already led to the exciting prospect of $300 million worth of new mixed-use projects coming to the area.

Wilson's Stadium - A Hub of Sports, Entertainment and Growth

Benefits of the Stadium for the Community

The construction of this stadium will bring a multitude of benefits to the Wilson community. Firstly, it will provide a dedicated space for Minor League Baseball games, allowing local residents to enjoy the excitement of professional baseball right in their own city. This will boost the local economy by attracting baseball fans from surrounding areas, who will spend money on tickets, concessions, and merchandise. Additionally, the stadium's ability to host concerts and community events will create a vibrant cultural scene in downtown Wilson. It will become a gathering place for people of all ages and interests, fostering a sense of community and unity.

Impact on the Local Economy

The $64 million investment in the stadium is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy. The new mixed-use projects that have been promised will bring in new businesses, jobs, and increased property values. The stadium itself will generate revenue through ticket sales, concessions, and advertising. This revenue will flow back into the community, funding various infrastructure improvements and public services. Moreover, the increased tourism and economic activity surrounding the stadium will have a ripple effect throughout the city, benefiting local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Enhancing the City's Image

The presence of a modern sports and entertainment stadium will enhance the city's image on a regional and national level. It will make Wilson a more attractive destination for tourists, business travelers, and potential investors. A well-developed sports and entertainment infrastructure is often seen as a sign of a vibrant and progressive city. It will help to attract new businesses, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for residents. The stadium will become a symbol of Wilson's commitment to providing high-quality entertainment and cultural experiences for its citizens.

Auburn, facing the challenge of limited roster space, embarked on a unique recruiting journey in 2025. Despite signing a smaller class, the Tigers still managed to assemble a group with an abundance of star power. Three players, ranked by Perfect Game among the top 100 nationally, added significant value to the team.

Assistant Coach's Perspective

AU assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Karl Nonemaker emphasized the quality of the signees. "We signed some really good players, some guys that were coveted around the country," he said. Auburn's special brand allowed them to attract talent from different regions, such as California (Ethin Bingaman), Virginia (Clayton Armah), and Ohio (Taylor Belza). These players are regarded as top-notch in America.

Bingaman - A Two-Way Talent

The Tigers' leading signee, Bingaman, will have the opportunity to shine as a two-way player. As a junior at Redlands High, he was 4-4 with a 1.87 ERA and an impressive 98 strikeouts in 52.1 innings. At the plate, he batted.506 with nine doubles, seven home runs, and 29 RBI. Bingaman is ranked the nation's No. 22 prospect by Perfect Game. "He's been a really good hitter," said Nonemaker. "He's kind of in the mold of a Christian Chatterton-type pitcher. Six-foot righty, good carry on his fastball, good breaking ball. And it seems like every tournament he's hitting in the three-hole, four-hole for one of the best teams."

Armah - A Talented Right-Hander

Armah, a 6-foot-4 talented right-handed pitcher, is ranked No. 97. He possesses great character and is highly competitive. "He's one of those tall, beautiful, projectable, athletic bodies. He's at a really good high school program and has been in big games and played high-level competition in the summer. I like everything about him," added Nonemaker.

Belza - A Power-Hitting Catcher

Belza, a left-handed hitting catcher ranked No. 100, also has the potential to make an early impact. "Belza is a left-handed hitting catcher. He's got enough bat kinda like Ike does, where if he's not catching, he can probably help you if he's in the outfield. Versatile," said Nonemaker.

Alabama-Bred Signees

The remaining six signees are from Alabama. Outfielder Wade Shelley from Headland and shortstop Fleming Hall from Trinity are among them. Hall batted.375 as a junior with 10 doubles, five home runs, and 31 RBI. Two more big lineup additions are infielder Caiden Combs from Gardendale and infielder Mason McCraine from Glenwood. Combs batted.520 with 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 54 RBI as a junior. McCraine was equally impressive, batting.534 with 24 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, and 45 RBI. McCraine also had a 7-1 record on the mound with a 1.49 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 54.0 innings, making him a potential two-way player.

Adding to the Pitching Staff

Auburn added two more talented arms to go along with Armah. Right-hander LJ Cormier from Sipsey Valley and right-hander Brady Wilson from Heritage Christian in Decatur bring additional pitching depth. Cormier is the son of former Alabama and MLB pitcher Lance Cormier.With Auburn's entire 2024 class enrolling this fall and rosters expected to reduce, the 2025 class had limited spots available. Despite being ranked 32nd nationally by Perfect Game, all but one of the teams above Auburn have 10 or more signees. "There's some bat speed and there's some big, athletic pitchers," said Nonemaker. "We're rooting for everyone of them to have a great senior season, develop and be ready to come in and help. You're not going to have developmental guys anymore."