The 3,200 square-foot space inside Fleming Stadium is stocked with about 4,000 items, from a 1893 Eastern League scorebook to an autographed bat by Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton.

Since the facility opened in 2004, an estimated 30,000 visitors from 45 states have perused the montage of pictures, pennants, gloves, bats, hats and other memorabilia.

Organizers say it's running out of space, while still seeking more memorabilia. A campaign is getting under way to raise $200,000 to add more room.

There's plenty there now, though. And it's a place that stirs nostalgia.

For the stat rats, there's a book with records of all 372 native North Carolinians who made it to the majors, including Moonlight Graham, of "Field of Dreams" movie fame, who played just one game in the bigs.

Women have a niche in the museum, too. Several from the state played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943 through 1954.

"We've got a lot more stuff stored,'' noted Lee Gliarmis, one of several local citizens who were instrumental in starting the museum and are pushing to add another display room and hire a full-time director.

Gliarmis, 80, is the longtime owner of Dick's Hot Dog Stand and a well-known athletics booster who helped found the Wilson Hot Stove League and preserve Fleming Stadium.

But the museum, operated by the city, has a special distinction. It is believed to be the only state baseball museum in the country, said Kent Montgomery, retired Wilson Parks and Recreation Director who volunteers and shows fans the many exhibits.

"Most [visitors] spend time looking at players from North Carolina who made the majors," said Montgomery, a former college baseball player at Wingate and N.C. State.

Montgomery points out such relics as the shoes -- with bubble gum still stuck on the spikes -- of former big leaguer Chad Fonville and a weathered glove worn by St. Louis Browns first baseman Buck Stanton in 1931.

Most prominently showcased are keepsakes and photos of North Carolina's seven Hall of Famers -- Jim "Catfish" Hunter, Gaylord Perry, Hoyt Wilhelm, Luke Appling, Rick Ferrell, Buck Leonard and Enos "Country" Slaughter.

Perry, who graces an aged Sports Illustrated cover noting his 300th pitching victory, won Cy Young Awards in the National and American leagues.

There's a cookbook by Catfish, plus mention of his five world championships with the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees.

Absent at the moment is a statue of Slaughter sliding into home for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1946 World Series, when he scored from first on a double.

The statue, which Montgomery says has probably drawn the most attention, was temporarily taken back to Slaughter's hometown of Roxboro for a celebration.

The massive collection also includes signatures, or equipment, of big league luminaries such as Ted Williams, Rod Carew, Tommy Byrne, Clyde King, Brian Roberts and Trot Nixon.

Special teams are among the honored as well. Expected to join the galaxy of champions soon will be a momento of Mount Olive College, which won the 2008 NCAA Division II national title.

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