Kinston Celebrates Baseball Excellence at 2026 Hall of Fame Banquet
Kinston Celebrates Baseball Excellence at 2026 Hall of Fame Banquet
The Kinston community gathered last night at King’s Restaurant for the 2026 Down East Bird Dawgs Hot Stove Banquet and Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony — an evening that once again showcased why baseball remains woven into the fabric of Eastern North Carolina.
The annual banquet brought together professional executives, longtime baseball leaders, youth athletes, and community members to celebrate the sport’s past, present, and future in Kinston. Bill Ellis and Kinston has helped bring baseball back to Kinston and last night was another celebration for our city.
Ross Atkins Headlines Hall of Fame Class
The highlight of the evening was the induction of Ross Atkins into the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame.
Atkins, a Wake Forest standout, spent time playing in Kinston after being drafted by the Cleveland Indians. He later transitioned into the front office, rising through player development roles in Cleveland before being named General Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015.
Most notably, Atkins guided Toronto to the World Series last season, further cementing his reputation as one of Major League Baseball’s top executives. His journey from Kinston to the sport’s biggest stage served as a powerful reminder of the city’s impact on professional baseball.
Lifetime Achievement Recognition for “Rabbit” Fulghum
James “Rabbit” Fulghum was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long influence on baseball in Eastern North Carolina.
Fulghum built one of the most respected high school programs in the state during his tenure at Greene Central, leading teams to multiple state championships and mentoring generations of players. His career has earned statewide recognition, including induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. His legacy continues to shape the game across the region.
Youth Excellence Recognized
A local girls softball team was also recognized during the banquet after an outstanding season that culminated in a World Series runner-up finish. The 2025 Lenoir County 10U Allstars were named “Team of teh Year”. The players honored included:
Avery Bryant
Aniyah Porter
Jessa Adesso
Charley Sumner
Leah Hill
Arianna Porter
Vayda Graham
Alice Lewis
Allena Ransom
Adilynn Garner
Makenzie Sumner
Coaches Jason Bryant and Josh Garner were also acknowledged for their leadership and commitment to developing young athletes in the community.
A Community Tradition
Now in its 27th year, the Hot Stove Banquet remains a rare tradition for a town Kinston’s size. As event organizer Bill Ellis said prior to the banquet, “I promise you there’s not many towns of 20,000 or less that will be hosting a hot stove banquet with professional athletes.”
From silent auction memorabilia to remarks from Down East Bird Dawgs leadership and Frontier League officials, the evening once again demonstrated that baseball in Kinston is more than a sport — it is legacy, pride, and community.
