The old Coastal Plain League competed from 1937 to 1941, and then, like most of baseball’s other minor leagues, suspended operations due to World War II. It would later return in 1946 and continue to operate through 1952. During that time, the original CPL was a Class D league that featured teams in Ayden, Edenton, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Greenville, Kinston, New Bern, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Snow Hill, Tarboro, Williamston, and Wilson. Many big names have come through the ballparks that were and still are in the Coastal Plain League, including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Cal Ripken, Sr.
Furthermore, one of the original clubs, the 1941 Wilson Tobs was voted number 82 of the top 100 teams in the history of minor league baseball. That year, the team had a sparkling 87-30 record (a .744 winning percentage), led the league in six different categories, had two 20+ game winning pitchers, and were managed by a 28 year old pitcher who had a 16-3 record with 19 complete games and three shutouts.
The Original Coastal Plain League
Class D (1937-1941, 1946-1952)
| Team | Nickname | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Ayden | Aces | 1937-1938 |
| Edenton | Colonials | 1952 |
| Fayetteville | Cubs | 1946 |
| Goldsboro | Goldbugs | 1937-1941 |
| Cardinals, Jets | 1931, 1946-1952 | |
| Greenville | Greenies, Robins | 1937-1940, 1946-1951 |
| Kinston | Eagles | 1937-1941, 1946-1952 |
| New Bern | Bears | 1937-1941, 1946-1952 |
| Roanoke Rapids | Blue Jays, Jays | 1947-1952 |
| Rocky Mount | Leafs, Rocks | 1941, 1946-1952 |
| Snow Hill | Billies | 1937-1940 |
| Tarboro | Serpents, Goobers | 1937-1941 |
| Cubs, Orioles, Tars, Athletics, A's | 1946-1952 | |
| Williamston | Martins | 1937-1941 |
| Wilson | Tobs | 1939-1941, 1946-1952 |