Zebulon Devil Dogz
| Zebulon Devil Dogz | |
|---|---|
Logo | |
| Information | |
| League | Coastal Plain League (East) |
| Location | Zebulon, North Carolina |
| Ballpark | Five County Stadium |
| Founded | 2026 |
| Colors | Red, white, black, and blue |
| Mascot | Tasmanian Devil |
| Ownership | Capitol Broadcasting Company |
| Manager | Caleb Whittemore |
| Website | zebulondevildogz |
The Zebulon Devil Dogz are a planned collegiate summer baseball team who will play at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, North Carolina. Part of the Coastal Plain League, the team is to consist entirely of student athletes born in Australia.
Announced in 2025 as the replacement tenants for Five County Stadium after the departure and rebranding of the Carolina Mudcats, the team's first game is scheduled for May. The team's mascot is an anthropomorphic, red Tasmanian devil. Additionally, the team is entirely owned by the Coastal Plain League, which itself is owned by the Capitol Broadcasting Company.
History
Creation
The Carolina Mudcats were a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team located at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, North Carolina, since 1991.[1] After an agreement was made for the team to move towns and rebrand, the Mudcats held their final season in 2025,[2] leaving Five County Stadium without a tenant for the next year.[1] N.l.t. November 2025, it was first announced that a new collegiate summer baseball team under the Coastal Plain League would next occupy the stadium,[3] and would consist entirely of players born in Australia.[2] This arrangement was organized by OzBall, an organization which aids Australian athletes in finding employment abroad.[3] Soon after, a contest to choose the team's name was launched, which ultimately received more than 900 name suggestions and three thousand votes by December 1, the end of the voting period.[3] Privately, a trademark was filed by the Carolina Plain League for the name "Zebulon Devil Dogz" on February 4, 2026,[4] and on February 24, the name was officially announced at a Zebulon Town Hall meeting.[2] The name "Devil Dogz" has dual meaning in referencing the Tasmanian Devil, an animal found only in Australia and the team's mascot, and DEVIL-DOG Dungarees, a formerly-major employer in Zebulon which produced jeans.[2][5] The "z" at the end of "dogs" reportedly is a reference to OzBall.[6] The announcement of the team was met with relatively positive comments from officials of the Wake County Board of Commissioners and town of Zebulon, including mayor Jessica Daniels Harrison,[7] in contrast to the mixed-to-negative reception given at the announcement of the Wilson Warbirds.[1]
It's going to be a little bit shorter [than a minor league season], and it's going to talk a little bit funnier. You can have a high level of baseball, and you can be wildly entertaining. That's what we're doing here.
The teams first game is scheduled for May 22, 2026, and has advertised all-you-can-eat food including hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and a "mystery" Australian cuisine with every ticket as a promotion.[5][8] The stadium, which was already in need of renovations which could cost around one million to complete; will start with new bathrooms, concession stands, and turf, before the start of the season.[2][5]
Branding
The team's mascot is an anthropomorphic, red Tasmanian devil, with horns piecing a Navy blue baseball cap, throwing a baseball.[2][6] The mascot, along with the teams other logos, were designed by a man named Brian Begley.[6] The pinstripes on players jerseys are designed to look like small zippers, in reference to the product produced by DEVIL-DOG Dungarees.[2]
Ownership
The team is entirely owned by the Coastal Plain League, which itself is owned by the Capitol Broadcasting Company.[2][9] It's general manager for it's first season is Caleb Whittemore,[2] while it's coaching staff and players remained unannounced in February 2026.[8]
References
- ^ a b c Johnson, Anna (December 15, 2023). "Mudcats on the move. Wilson backs new stadium to lure baseball team from Wake County". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Shaffer, Josh (February 24, 2026). "No more Mudcats in Zebulon. Meet the new baseball team with proud textile history". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ a b c Roman, Anna (March 18, 2026). "Thunder Roos? Croc hunters? How you can help name Zebulon's new baseball team". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ "Zebulon Devil Dogz - Trademark Details". Justia. February 4, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ a b c Retana, Judith (February 24, 2026). "Oi oi oi! Zebulon announces Devil Dogs as new Coastal Plain baseball team". WNCN. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ a b c Caputo, Paul (February 26, 2026). "Zebulon Devil Dogz bring Australian flavor to Coastal Plain League". SportsLogos.net. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Thompson, Justin (March 3, 2026). "Meet the Devil Dogz: Zebulon's Coastal Plain League team unveils name". Spring Hope Enterprise. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ a b Snyder, Flynn (February 24, 2026). "Zebulon Devil Dogz to take the field this spring at Five County Stadium". WRAL. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ "Zebulon Devil Dogz". Capitol Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.