Mike Bell the General Manager of the Wilson Tobs

by: Lars Gjelhaug

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In a small tobacco town 50 miles East of Raleigh lies the Wilson Tobs who stand in an area known as the 252. This area is full of small towns that extend from Wilson to the Outer Banks in the Northeastern part of the state. Athletic talent runs deep in the 252 consistently putting athletes at the top level including Brandon Ingram to the NBA, Ryan Zimmerman to the MLB and Todd Gurley to the NFL. 
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From the organization, I spoke with East Carolina University Graduate Mike Bell. Bell is the General Manager of the Tobs and has brought his passion in this industry from where it began back in his hometown of Pittsburgh. He has put in 9 years of hard work in Wilson beginning as an intern and climbing his way into the front office of this baseball club. Let’s take a look at what Mike has gone through to get to where he is and how the team has been impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

When did you know that a career in sports was what you wanted to pursue?

I always knew that I wanted to work in sports if I could not continue to play sports myself. I knew 100% that I wanted to work in the sports industry in high school when I obtained my first job at a hockey rink. The knowledge that I learned from my boss regarding running a hockey rink and setting up events really peaked my interest.

What advice would you give to those entering the sports industry?

If you do not have a deep passion for sports and are not willing to put in 12+ hour work days then I would select a different career. The best part of working in sports is that you get to work with and communicate with people that have the same passion for sports as you. I would also advise those entering the sports industry to stay creative and always pitch new ideas to your organization. Sports organizations have a very profound focus in promotions and providing fans constant entertainment.

What’s your favorite memory/moment in your 9 years working with the Tobs?

My favorite memory with the Tobs up until this point was when I was offered the General Manager's position. Starting as an intern 9 years ago and working my way to this position really showed me that hard work and dedication pays off. Also, this gave me a new found respect for the Tobs organization because it showed me that they were committed to me and saw my potential in the general manager position.

How has the adjustment been for the team during the Covid-19 Pandemic? 

A tremendous adjustment has been made to all aspects of our organization. Safety is our #1 priority, which meant that we had to implement safety procedures for our coaches, players, staff, and fans. A good deal of our budget had to be transferred to items we needed to purchase and promote to prove to our community that we were taking the necessary steps to play ball and keep everyone safe.

What modifications were made to the season by the Coastal Plain League?

The Coastal Plain League worked with each team so that everyone agreed and implemented the same COVID policies and procedures. As a league we made sure that every individual and different area of our ballparks were set up to offer a safe environment. The league is also helping us track COVID in our area so we stay in constant communication. 

What benefits are there to working for a smaller team? 

The main benefit for working for a smaller team is that we have a smaller staff that is given a lot more responsibility. Each staff member needs to understand every aspect of our organization and be able to help out each department. This means each staff member gains the necessary knowledge that is needed to help our organization at any time.

Connect with Mike Bell onLinkedIn


If you’re on a road trip down I-95, make sure to stop by in Wilson for some baseball and barbeque. There’s a rich history at Historic Fleming Stadium which opened in 1939 that serves home to the Tobs and the North Carolina Baseball Museum. Numerous Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Rod Carew have suited up for the Tobs. The well known names of people who have gone through Fleming Stadium aren't limited to just sports as The King of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley performed here in 1955. Thanks for reading my first article! Make sure to keep coming back as I begin my writing here at Sports As a Job.