North Carolina Based Entrepreneurs acquire the Jacksonville territory to add an ONSL team

6/10/23

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

North Carolina Based Entrepreneurs acquire the Jacksonville territory to add an Old North State League team

(Ramseur, NC) The Old North State League (ONSL) announces the addition of a team to be based in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The team that is slated to begin play in 2024, will be owned and operated by the Patino family.

Eli first moved to the Jacksonville area from St. Paul, MN in 2003 when he was stationed at Camp Lejeune as a United States Marine. Eli deployed to Fallujah, Iraq while stationed at Camp Lejeune and left the military honorably in 2007. Eli grew up playing baseball, and the game has always been an integral part of Eli’s upbringing and character development. “I have nothing but gratitude for the game of baseball and what it taught me in my youth. I hope that through this team in Jacksonville, North Carolina, we can help bring families together and nurture excellent skills and character building in our players and in our community through baseball.” His wife Arlin is originally from the Dominican Republic and has lived in the Jacksonville area for over 19 years and has served as a realtor for the last 16 years helping many military families accomplish the American Dream in buying a place they can call home. Arlin takes a lot of pride in helping families come together.

Eli and Arlin have always worked together as a team in their business ventures, and currently own and operate North Carolina's highest volume ice cream, candy, and gift shop Sweet Spot in Emerald Isle, North Carolina with over 38 employees. “We get to serve smiles and see families come together at our business to create great memories and family traditions. We want to bring this same love and spirit of togetherness through baseball for the Jacksonville community,” Arlin said. 

The City of Jacksonville has longed to have a competitive baseball team and City Manager, Josh Ray had this to say, “We are excited to welcome the Patino family and the Old North State League into the Jacksonville family. This partnership has the capacity to energize our sports tourism industry and to create a sense of civic pride that will add to our existing support of our Marines.”

Onslow County commissioner Royce Bennett added, “Onslow County has the youngest population in the State of North Carolina and is home to Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune. As such, the Old North State League will be welcomed by our young heroes and the many families who live in and visit Onslow. Our population is hungry for outdoor recreation activities just like this. Our community will enthusiastically support their team!”

The Old North State League continues to expand and grow its footprint in Eastern North Carolina. This grows the league to 16 teams in 2024 with several more possibly being added. The league’s plan has long been to establish a super league inside the state and fill every region.  

Commissioner of the Old North State League, Eric Sibrizzi, explained the addition, "The Old North State League is excited to be laying down roots in the city of Jacksonville, NC.  With the attraction of the coast and the love of baseball in the community, collegiate baseball players and their fans will have a premier place to spend the summer getting the full baseball experience!  We are extremely grateful for the city of Jacksonville for welcoming us, and there is no doubt that this will be a fruitful partnership.”  

Jesse Grant at The Sports Advisory Group, the nation's leading sports M&A advisory firm, assisted with the transactions.

For more information:

Eric Sibrizzi, Old North State League, Commissioner: esibrizzi@oldnorthstateleague.com

Jesse Grant, Sports Advisory Group:  Jesse@thesportsadvisorygroup.com 

Eli Patino, Jacksonville Baseball LLC, Owner: baseballjacksonville@gmail.com