Hillcats likely moving, but Lynchburg won't lose baseball

By: Aaron Martin | WSLS
Published: February 13, 2012

LYNCHBURG, VA --

It may be the middle of February, but field preparations are already underway for the Lynchburg Hillcats 2012 season.

Now fans are hopeful this is a sight they continue seeing for years to come.

Last week the Lynchburg Baseball Corporation (which owns the Hillcats) reached a tentative agreement with the Atlanta Braves to sell the team.

The Braves plan on moving the Hillcats to Wilmington, North Carolina.

"If this doesn't go through it's not like we're closing up shop," said Hillcats General Manager Paul Sunwall.

He said part of the agreement is for another major league affiliated team to play in Lynchburg.

"I think we've developed a niche in this area and people know who we are now,” Sunwall said. “I think if you ask the casual fan if they know who we are affiliated with it's hit or miss whether or not they know."

He added that the ownership group agreed to sell the team only if a team affiliated with Major League Baseball would replace the Hillcats.

Since the team is locally owned the Braves had to move the team to a different city to complete the deal.

Wilmington has six months to raise at least $30 million for a new stadium before the move can be finalized.

The earliest a move can take place is 2014.

"We're going to be in business for the next couple of years the way we have been,” Sunwall said. “Depending on what happens in Wilmington (that won’t change) for many years yet to come."