HOLLY SPRINGS - A multi-state baseball league wants Holly Springs to pitch in for two ballparks that would host a collegiate-level team. Pete Bock, president of the Coastal Plain League, made his pitch at a town of Holly Springs planning retreat Friday.

The town is ideal for a wood-bat ball club, a 2,500-seat stadium and a 750-seat park for handicapped players affiliated with the Miracle League, Bock said. He asked the Holly Springs Town Council for $50,000 to $75,000 to fund preliminary exploration of the idea.

The league recently built a $5 million facility in Forest City, though that park’s budget ballooned from its original $2 million thanks to a wealthy backer. Another of the league’s parks cost about $1.5 million.

The Coastal Plain League wants to set up shop in Holly Springs by June 2014 and expects the project would bring 5 to 10 permanent jobs and 30 to 40 part-time jobs, the league president told town officials. An artist’s rendition of the proposed stadiums included shaded bleacher seating, artificial turf and field lights.

Bock had already put the idea to town staff, who made time at the town’s planning retreat to discuss the matter. Council members were cautious but interested, saying they needed more data before they would consider committing thousands of dollars for planning.

“We’ve got to beat this up amongst ourselves, debate it out,” said Councilman Chet VanFossen.

Bock wants the town to build the stadiums, with some funding from the league, and lease them to the team. The league estimates the team could bring in 1 to 5 million dollars in local spending, plus proceeds from naming rights and tournaments.

Coastal Plain League teams operate nearby in Wilson, Fayetteville and Wilmington, charging about $6 a ticket. Other minor league teams already play in Durham and Zebulon.

The collegiate league invested in Holly Springs by locating Coastal Plain League offices on Quantum Street in November 2009, he said. “If we didn’t think this was a good idea, we wouldn’t be willing to step forward and make an investment in the project we’re discussing,” he told the town.