The City of Myrtle Beach is working to keep Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball at Pelicans Ballpark. For more than a year, city staff have worked closely with Pelicans Baseball, team ownership and Major League Baseball to negotiate a lease that meets new national standards for Minor League facilities.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball: A Vital Community Asset
City officials expressed disappointment following Horry County Council’s vote Tuesday night. Although the lease was approved, it is not the same agreement passed by Myrtle Beach City Council. Unlike the city’s version, Horry County’s lease includes additional concessions unrelated to baseball. Those concessions were added in the last few weeks and relate to an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and airport funding. Throughout the process, the city has engaged in good-faith discussions with county leaders and council members, as the stadium has been owned by the City of Myrtle Beach (70%) and Horry County (30%) since 1998.
Major League Baseball requires an approved plan by the end of May. The city believes the Pelicans lease should have been considered independently. We remain open to future discussions regarding the IGA and airport funding. However, those are separate, complex topics that cannot be resolved in the short time remaining.
With Horry County effectively ending its 30 percent ownership, the city is now exploring options to keep Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball in Myrtle Beach.
Municipal ownership of Minor League stadiums across the country is common. Like parks, recreation centers or libraries, these venues serve the public and are not intended to generate profit.
By the start of the 2026 season, Pelicans Ballpark needs $20 million in upgrades to meet Professional Development League (PDL) standards required by Major League Baseball. These improvements are mandatory and part of a national directive for all Minor League facilities. An additional $15.7 million in capital improvements, while not required under PDL guidelines or subject to a firm deadline, are also necessary. Horry County’s 30 percent share of the total costs would amount to $10.7 million.
Myrtle Beach does not want to lose Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball and is working toward a solution. However, with limited time and resources, the city faces a difficult decision.
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
