Pike Sportsplex announces location

A sign that says Pike SportsPlex has been placed on Highway 19 south near the Zebulon Whistle Stop convenience store (formerly Smoots restaurant). The sports complex will include 58 acres which was rezoned from residential to commercial by the Zebulon City Council in late 2023.

Work on the project is not expected to start immediately and the sign is primarily to denote where the facility will be located in the future.

Three partners are working to create the state-of-the-art facility in Zebulon, including Major League Baseball pitcher Hunter Strickland, Michael Pierce of Double P Grading Inc. and Mickey Moody, a coach at Hardknox Baseball.

“We are working on this project but there are a lot of hoops to jump through and we want to make sure everything is done correctly and this is a place for Pike County to be proud of,” said Michael Pierce.
The property will eventually include six ball fields, two larger ones for baseball, two for softball and two multi-use fields for baseball/softball or other uses. Initial plans also included a gym with basketball and multi-use courts, a playground, an amphitheater, pickleball courts and a total of 537 parking spaces. Other additions or changes to the original plan are possible.

“This is like the Field of Dreams, if you build it, they will come,” said developer Steve Reeves.

Michael Pierce wants citizens to know that the project will take some time to develop but the plan is to create a top-notch facility.

“I grew up here and I have played baseball since I was 5 years old. I spent so much time in the vehicle with my mom and dad traveling to practices and lessons and to play. There’s so much talent here and everybody is taking their talent to facilities elsewhere. We are not going to settle for anything less than state of the art because we want the best for these kids,” said Pierce.

Moody has lived in Pike County for more than 20 years.

“There’s not a better place on earth than Pike County, Georgia and in my 46 years of coaching, I see a direct impact on these kids lives. Our Pike County dollars are going somewhere else and I see the impact that has made for other communities,” said Moody. “This is a hot bed for baseball and softball talent in Georgia and these athletes are going to other counties and other facilities to get training.”

Moody noted that the 600-800 seat amphitheater would be used for opening and closing ceremonies and other ball-related events instead of being primarily for concerts.