Baseball Finds a New Home in Leland: Meet Team Owner Rob Good

Baseball is coming to Leland next summer, and leading the charge is Rob Good, a local business owner and lifelong baseball fan who’s turning his dream of team ownership into a reality.

Rob grew up in Durham, attended Appalachian State University in Boone, where he met his wife, and eventually moved to Leland in 2006. Today, Rob and his wife live in Wilmington with their four children: three boys, ages 11 to 16, and a 7-year-old daughter. “We’ve built our lives here,” Rob said. “I sell real estate in the area, and my parents live in Leland, so this community has always been home.”

Rob’s love for baseball started at a young age. His grandparents took him to Cubs games at Wrigley Field, and he spent countless afternoons playing Little League and tossing the ball with his dad. That passion carried into adulthood. Now, with his family deeply rooted in the game, his youngest son still plays competitively, and the family owns Bats and Brews, a batting cage and bar in Wilmington. Rob has taken the next step: building a team of his own. “I’ve always wanted to own a sports team,” he said. “It’s been a dream of mine.”

Building a Baseball Experience in Leland

For Rob, this team is about more than just baseball; it’s about community. “The town has been excited about the possibility of a minor league team, which doesn’t seem to be happening. We hope we can provide an exciting, fun, and competitive atmosphere with this team instead,” he explained.

The vision is clear: create a family-friendly environment that connects people through the game. “We’ve met some of our favorite people through baseball communities,” Rob said. “We want to provide that same experience here—a place where families and friends can come together.”

Beyond wins and losses, Rob hopes the atmosphere will be all about fun and engagement. “We want to be a big part of the community and provide a fun, engaging atmosphere. Five years from now, I hope people will look back and say, ‘I’m so glad they put this together—it’s been such a great part of our summers.’”

Why Leland?

When asked why Leland was the right place for this team, Rob didn’t hesitate. “Who doesn’t love the beach and who doesn’t love baseball? Leland doesn’t currently have tourist attractions or sports teams outside of high school. We want to change that.”

He also sees the team as a way to inspire the next generation of ballplayers. Plans are already in the works for summer camps where kids can learn from the players, build skills, and deepen their love for the game. “We want our team to inspire young players,” Rob said. “The goal is to keep the games fun and engaging so the next generation falls in love with baseball too.”

Looking Ahead

Between now and opening day, Rob’s focus is on building excitement and partnerships with local businesses. He sees the ballclub not just as a team, but as a hub for the community. “We hope to create a place where companies can have outings, community groups can gather, and families can spend time together.”

When fans come out for that first game, Rob promises an experience that goes beyond baseball. “On top of a competitive team and a fun game, we’ll have a lot of fan involvement and events to keep people engaged. It’s more than just a baseball game—it’s an overall great experience.”

And the dream doesn’t stop there. Long term, Rob hopes to see the team move into a larger stadium as the fan base grows. He also looks forward to building rivalries with other Brunswick County teams. “That’s what summer baseball is all about—competition, fun, and community pride.”

Fans Get to Help Name the Team

Rob is giving fans the chance to be part of the team’s story from day one. A “Name the Team” contest is now underway, inviting the community to submit their best ideas for what Leland’s new ballclub should be called.

The winning name will become the official team name, and the fan who suggests it will receive free season tickets and a team jersey. (The winner will be the first person to submit the chosen name.)

Entries are open now through Thursday, September 11 at 11:59 PM. Fans can head to the team’s Facebook page, Cape Fear Baseball Team, for all the details, updates, and the big reveal.