Professional Sports Teams

The Newest Sport

The most recent professional sports franchise to move to Wilmington is a basketball team in its fourth season, known as the Wilmington Sea Dawgs. Now part of the Continental Basketball League, the Sea Dawgs play in late spring in downtown Wilmington, at the Schwartz Center at Cape Fear Community College. The Sea Dawgs brand of basketball is very free-wheeling, which results in an exciting evening of run-and-gun athleticism.

The Sea Dawgs have reached the playoffs in each of their four seasons of play. In 2010, they lost in overtime in the championship game, after compiling an 11-5 record during the season. These games are very family friendly, with kids participating in special competitions during the breaks.

Baseball Team Too

Another sports team that makes its home in Wilmington is the Wilmington Sharks baseball team. The team plays in the Coastal Plain League and is officially sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball. The Sharks, established in 1997, were League Champions in 1998 and 1999. Players in the league, said to approximate a single A minor league team, come from outstanding college programs. The Sharks print baseball trading cards and holding the card of a young player who goes on to become a superstar could be a rewarding experience.

The season begins in May and continues through early August with games played at the Legion Sports Complex. The Sharks were selected as the Coastal Plain League’s 2009 Organization of the Year.

This is another very kid-friendly organization. Children are brought on the field for numerous challenges during breaks in the game where they receive an “assist” if needed to complete the skill. The stadium is beautiful and it is fun to be on top of the action in this very well maintained park.