Clark-LeClair Stadium
Greenville, NC
Review by Gary
The first port on a week-long voyage to the southern states was a stop at East Carolina University (ECU) to see the hometown Pirates play baseball at Clark-LeClair Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina. ECU’s Buccaneers are members of the NCAA American Athletic Conference, and their ballfield is named after a Pirate alumnus and contributor (Clark) and a former coach, Keith LeClair. LeClair would become the team’s second-winningest baseball coach in ECU history in just five seasons.
Completed in March 2005, the venue features a capacity of approximately 6,000, with seating for 3,000 and space for thousands more on a raised grassy berm that encompasses the outfield fence. These fans bring their own furniture or blankets and camp out under a grove of shady trees in an area affectionally called “The Jungle.” It is the most notable aspect of Clark-LeClair Stadium.
As this is the home to privateers, it was surprising to hear that “The Jungle” was not named something more pirate-y, like “Smuggler’s Cove” or “The Pirates Hideaway”. There were, thankfully, plenty of beverage options befitting smugglers and those searching for home run ball treasure. At the time of this May 2026 visit, renovations on the third base side of the stadium were underway to construct a covered seating structure beyond the bleachers (maybe THIS area will be given an appropriate marauding name!). Followers of the ECU Corsairs sitting directly behind home plate and in the rows closest to the field are treated to fixed chairs with seatbacks.
Fans choosing less expensive options occupy standard aluminum benches behind the dugouts. Sadly, no gangplanks were found. The press box above and behind home plate boasts room for thirty media members, two radio booths, a private suite, and a stadium operations center, but no crow’s nest.
Traditional Bermuda grass makes up the playing surface in fair territory, while artificial blades of grass were carpeted behind home plate and along each baseline in 2017. A clay infield and a crushed-brick warning track complete the grounds, which are framed in by a symmetric playing surface configuration of 320’ to the corners and a reachable 390’ to dead center field.
The playing field is in a northwesterly alignment (home plate to center field), making it a challenge for fielders when the sun is out. Note for fellow ballpark nerds: the recommended field orientation is east-northeast. Thanks to Chris L., who offered me his extra Freebooters ticket as I was about to purchase one. I appreciated the proffered ticket and wonderful conversation during the game!
--
2026
291
--
