The second stop on our quest to visit all 10 minor league baseball parks in North Carolina took us to Asheville, where we caught a game at the historic McCormick Field, home of the Asheville Tourists. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this ballpark is a true gem, rich with history and charm. But our night at the game was more than just a stroll through baseball history—it was full of surprises, excitement, and a valuable lesson we won’t soon forget.
First, let’s talk about McCormick Field. Built in 1924, it’s one of the oldest active minor league stadiums in the country, and has hosted exhibition games played by the New York Yankees, featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and other major leagues teams that worked their way north from spring training. You can feel the history as soon as you walk in. The vintage scoreboard, the classic grandstands, and the picturesque mountain backdrop all combine to create a unique atmosphere that’s unlike any other ballpark we’ve visited so far. It’s easy to see why this stadium is a fan favorite.
It just so happened to be Dollar Dog Night, and while the hot dogs themselves were your basic ballpark dogs—nothing fancy or gourmet—they were still a treat. Sometimes, simplicity is all you need, especially when you’re enjoying a game in such a historic setting. The lesson we learned here is not to wait to get in line, those Dollar Dogs are popular. Unfortunately, Gayle missed most of the 2nd inning waiting in line. But once we had a few dogs, some drinks, and a bag of peanuts (of course) we settled in for what turned out to be an unforgettable game.
The Asheville Tourists jumped out to an early lead, going up 3-0, and for most of the game, it seemed like they had things under control. But then came the 9th inning, and things got tense. The Greensboro Grasshoppers, down but not out, mounted a comeback, scoring 2 runs in the top of the 9th. Suddenly, what seemed like a comfortable lead turned into a nail-biter. The Tourists managed to hold on, securing a 3-2 victory. The energy in the stadium was electric, and it reminded us why we love minor league baseball so much—you never know what’s going to happen.
Now, for the biggest lesson learned: always buy your tickets in advance! We arrived at the stadium only to find out that the game was sold out. For a moment, we thought our night was over before it even began. We struck up a conversation with a woman who had tickets and was waiting for some others to join her. We enjoyed meeting someone new, and chatting with her for a bit. Unfortunately, her guests finally arrived so she couldn’t spare her tickets. Luckily, we ran into a group that had a few extra tickets and were kind enough to sell us two. Crisis averted! But it was a close call and a reminder that sometimes, you’ve got to plan ahead. It would’ve been a long disappointing drive back to where we were staying if we hadn’t scored those tickets.
All in all, our night with the Tourists was a success. From the historic charm of the ballpark to the drama of the game itself, and even the lessons we learned along the way, it was another fantastic stop on our minor league baseball tour. AND because it was a Friday Night, there were FIREWORKS!
Next time, we’ll be sure to snag our tickets early!
Check out out TikTok about this adventure
@tabor.life Tonight we went to see the Asheville Tourist We didn’t expect a sold out game… and we’re lucky to find a guy with extra tickets willing to sell in the second inning! Asheville won! #vacay2024 #baseball #Fireworks #NCMLibTour2024 #MLiB #tourist ♬ original sound – Gayle&Jenn
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